Cisco Warns of VPN Zero-Day Exploited by Ransomware Gangs
Cisco has issued an alert warning of a zero-day vulnerability in its AnyConnect VPN software that is being exploited by ransomware gangs. The vulnerability, which has been assigned the identifier CVE-2023-20269, allows attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. This could then be used to install ransomware or other malware.
The vulnerability affects Cisco's AnyConnect VPN software, which is used by businesses and organizations to provide secure remote access to their networks. The vulnerability is thought to have been exploited by the Akira and Lockbit ransomware gangs.
Cisco has released an interim security advisory that provides workarounds for the vulnerability. However, a permanent fix is not yet available.
This vulnerability is a reminder of the importance of keeping VPN software up to date. Users should also consider using multi-factor authentication (MFA) to help protect their VPN accounts.
Here are some tips for protecting yourself from this vulnerability:
- Keep your AnyConnect VPN software up to date.
- Use MFA for your VPN accounts.
- Be careful about what links you click on and what attachments you open.
- Use a firewall and antivirus software.
- Back up your data regularly.
By following these tips, you can help to protect yourself from this vulnerability and other cyber attacks.
In addition to the tips above, here are some other things you can do to protect your organization from VPN zero-day vulnerabilities:
- Implement a vulnerability management program to scan for and patch known vulnerabilities.
- Use a security information and event management (SIEM) system to detect suspicious activity.
- Train employees on how to identify and report phishing emails and other malicious attacks.
- Have a plan in place to respond to a ransomware attack.