Unauthorized VPN Access Sale Prevented: Leading Automotive Company's Data Secured

Challenge

‍CloudSEK’s contextual AI digital risk platform XVigil discovered a threat actor named "SGL" offering VPN access to a major Indian automotive company for $1200 on a Russian cybercrime forum.

The threat actor claimed to have Global Protect VPN credentials but had not verified the extent of access rights, network segmentation, or the number of devices within the network.

This posed a significant security risk, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to the company's internal systems and sensitive data.

Impact

‍The sale of unauthorized VPN access can result in significant security risks, including unauthorized access to internal networks and sensitive information.

Attackers could exploit these credentials to gain deeper system access, leading to the theft of sensitive files, social engineering attacks, phishing campaigns, and identity theft.

Additionally, compromised systems could be misused for malicious activities, causing further damage to the company's reputation and customer trust.

Solution

‍CloudSEK XVigil promptly identified and addressed the unauthorized VPN access sale, ensuring that sensitive data was protected and access was restricted.

‍

Implementation:

Detection:

CloudSEK XVigil discovered the threat actor selling VPN access credentials on a cybercrime forum.

‍

Threat Analysis:

• The exposed VPN credentials could allow threat actors to gain unauthorized access to internal systems, potentially exposing sensitive data and internal infrastructure.
• The analysis revealed that attackers could use the exposed credentials to conduct targeted attacks, social engineering, and identity theft.

‍

Immediate Actions:

• Secured the VPN credentials by updating and rotating them to prevent further unauthorized access.
• Implemented enhanced access controls, including multi-factor authentication (MFA) and role-based access control (RBAC).
• Conducted a thorough review of the network to identify and secure any additional vulnerabilities.

‍

Preventive Measures:

• Conducted regular security audits and penetration testing to ensure ongoing protection.
• Strengthened security policies and educated users on best practices for handling sensitive information.
• Implemented continuous monitoring and alerting to detect any unauthorized access attempts.
• Educated development and IT teams on secure credential management practices to prevent similar breaches in the future.