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Top Ransomware Attack Vectors: How to Defend Against Them

Though ransomware has been a persistent cybersecurity threat for years, it’s recently experienced a notable resurgence. Ransomware attacks increased 70% from 2022 to 2023, and the average cost of a ransomware attack has risen to nearly $3 million. How can organizations bolster their defenses?

In this blog, we dive into:

  • The rise of ransomware
  • The most common ransomware attack vectors
  • Ransomware prevention and mitigation strategies
  • How Censys supports proactive ransomware defense

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The Rise of Ransomware

Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, designed to block access to a victim’s files, systems, and sensitive data. In most cases, a ransomware victim’s computer system becomes completely inoperable. From a threat actor perspective, ransomware’s appeal lies in its profitability. Attackers deploy ransomware to hold systems hostage and demand a ransom in exchange for a decryption key to restore access.

While ransomware was once predominantly targeted at individuals, it’s evolved into a more complex and lucrative enterprise threat. Today, threat actors and professional ransomware groups focus on high-value targets like corporations, government agencies, supply chains, and entire industries to maximize profit.

Why Is Ransomware So Popular?

Ransomware has become one of the most effective and devastating cyber attack methods due to its simplicity and profitability. By encrypting critical data and demanding payment for its release, ransomware actors can paralyze entire organizations, creating a sense of urgency that drives compliance.

The consequences of a ransomware attack often extend far beyond financial losses. Victims frequently experience:

  • Prolonged operational downtime
  • Reputational damage
  • Legal or regulatory penalties

These risks are particularly acute in industries like healthcare and finance, where data breaches can result in compliance violations or life-threatening outcomes.

Adding to its appeal is the rise of Ransomware as a Service (RaaS), which has made launching ransomware attacks accessible even to low-skilled cybercriminals. RaaS enables attackers to rent tools and infrastructure to execute attacks, allowing them to focus on maximizing impact while minimizing effort.

As the threat landscape evolves and ransomware groups continue to refine their methods, organizations need to adopt proactive cybersecurity measures to defend against these consequential cyber threats.

Which brings us to understanding how ransomware groups launch attacks.

Ransomware Attack Vectors: How Threat Actors Gain Entry

Ransomware attack vectors are the specific methods by which threat actors launch ransomware attacks. For example, a ransomware operator might deploy a phishing campaign to gain initial entry into a network.

Understanding the main ransomware attack vectors is critical for maintaining a proactive cybersecurity posture. To limit the likelihood of an attack, security teams need to know how threat actors are most likely to attempt entry, and where their organization could be most vulnerable.

Let’s take a look at some of the most common ransomware attack vectors.

illustration for Exploited or Unpatched Assets section

Exploited or Unpatched Assets

The Cyentia Institute’s CISA-sponsored 2024 Ransomware Information Risks Insights Study found that exploited, publicly-exposed assets are the number one attack vector for ransomware groups.

Exploited or unpatched software vulnerabilities are a leading attack vector for ransomware because they’re unfortunately more prevalent than organizations would like to believe. They also offer cybercriminals a direct route into an organization’s systems. These vulnerabilities, often found in outdated software, operating systems, or third-party applications, act as open doors for attackers.

Once identified, attackers can exploit these weaknesses to deliver malicious code, bypassing traditional defenses like email filtering or credential protection. This method requires minimal interaction from end-users, making it a particularly efficient tactic for ransomware groups. Attackers often leverage tools like exploit kits to automate the identification and exploitation of software vulnerabilities.

The speed at which vulnerabilities are weaponized underscores the urgency of addressing them. For example, zero-day vulnerabilities pose an immediate and significant threat. Even after patches are released, many organizations delay implementation due to operational constraints, leaving systems exposed.

Phishing Attacks

Phishing, a common form of social engineering attack, tricks individuals into revealing sensitive information like passwords or taking actions like downloading malicious files. These scams often come in the form of emails, texts, or fake websites that appear legitimate. Phishing can enable ransomware attacks through:

The Delivery of Malicious Payloads:

  • Phishing emails often include attachments or links that lead to ransomware infections when downloaded.

Credential Harvesting:

  • Phishing attacks can trick victims into providing login credentials to systems. Attackers then use these credentials to access networks and deploy ransomware across an organization’s infrastructure.

Exploitation of Trust:

  • Phishing attacks often impersonate trusted entities (e.g., banks, IT support, colleagues). This increases the likelihood that a target will act on the message without second-guessing its authenticity.

Breach Entry Point:

  • Once ransomware is executed, it can encrypt files or systems, holding them hostage until a ransom is paid. A single phishing success can compromise an entire organization’s network.

Compromised Credentials

Compromised credentials are another major ransomware attack vector, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems and deploy ransomware without raising immediate suspicion. This approach is particularly effective because it allows attackers to blend in with legitimate users, bypassing security measures like firewalls or intrusion detection systems. Credentials can be stolen through a variety of means, including brute force attacks or data breaches on other platforms where users have reused passwords.

Credential Stuffing

One of the most concerning aspects of this attack vector is the use of credential stuffing. In these instances, cybercriminals leverage large databases of leaked username-password combinations, often obtained from past breaches, and attempt to use them across multiple platforms. Since many individuals reuse credentials across services, this tactic can be alarmingly successful. Once attackers gain access to a network, they often escalate their privileges to access sensitive systems or deploy ransomware to critical infrastructure.

Real-World Examples of Ransomware Exploits

The following ransomware incidents offer insight into how actual ransomware groups have successfully gained access to systems to launch successful attacks.

Colonial Pipeline

Attack Vector: Compromised Credentials

In 2021, the Colonial Pipeline, which transports refined petroleum products, fell victim to the DarkSide ransomware group. Attackers gained access to the IT network using a compromised password linked to a Virtual Private Network (VPN) account. The attack disrupted fuel supply across the East Coast of the U.S., causing widespread panic and economic fallout. The attackers gained access to the pipeline’s IT network through a compromised password, leading to a shutdown of critical operations.

Colonial Pipeline paid a ransom of 75 Bitcoin (approximately $4.4 million at the time) to regain control, though law enforcement later recovered a portion of the funds. This attack highlighted the vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure and underscored the need for robust cybersecurity measures.

Royal Ransomware Attack on a Healthcare Provider

Attack Vector: Phishing Email

In 2023, the Royal ransomware group targeted a major healthcare provider, disrupting operations across multiple hospitals. The attack involved phishing emails that tricked employees into downloading malicious files, allowing the ransomware to spread through the network. Critical patient services were delayed as systems were taken offline, forcing staff to revert to manual processes.

This incident emphasized the increasing focus of ransomware groups on the healthcare sector, where downtime can have life-threatening consequences. It also reinforced the importance of securing sensitive healthcare systems and training employees to recognize phishing schemes.

Clop Ransomware Group’s MOVEit Attack

Attack Vector: Exploitation of Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

In this 2023 attack, the Clop ransomware group exploited a previously unknown vulnerability in MOVEit, a widely used file transfer software. By taking advantage of this flaw they gained unauthorized access to sensitive systems and were able to bypass traditional defenses like phishing filters or credential theft protections.

Unlike many ransomware attacks, this campaign relied on exploiting software flaws rather than phishing or credential theft, demonstrating the evolving sophistication of ransomware tactics. The MOVEit attack served as a reminder for businesses to regularly patch software and implement vulnerability management processes to stay ahead of attackers.

Ransomware Prevention and Mitigation Strategies

Let’s next think about what organizations can do to better prevent threat actors from targeting these top attack vectors. To prevent ransomware attacks, organizations should adopt a multi-faceted approach that includes strengthening access controls, increasing phishing awareness, prioritizing vulnerability patching, and gaining full visibility into exposures on the attack surface.

Strengthen Access Controls

We know that attackers often exploit weak or stolen credentials to infiltrate networks, as seen in the Colonial Pipeline attack. Securing remote access points like Virtual Private Network (VPN) accounts and Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) connections is critical to preventing unauthorized access to systems. Organizations can mitigate the likelihood of this kind of breach by implementing robust identity and access management (IAM) practices. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) has become an essential defense, as it requires users to verify their identity with additional factors beyond a password, such as a smartphone app or biometric data. Regularly rotating passwords, enforcing strong password policies, and monitoring for credential leaks on the dark web can also help prevent unauthorized access.

Increase Phishing Awareness and Email Security

Phishing remains one of the most common delivery methods for ransomware, making employee training a key line of defense. Organizations should invest in regular security awareness programs that teach employees how to identify and report phishing attempts. In addition, deploying email filtering and threat detection tools can help block malicious emails before they reach users.

Prioritize Vulnerability Identification and Patching

Exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities is a favored tactic for ransomware groups, as demonstrated by the Clop ransomware group’s MOVEit attack. To counter this, organizations should adopt a rigorous patch management process to ensure that software and systems are kept up to date.

Attack Surface Management (ASM) can be a critical strategy here, as it provides continuous visibility into an organization’s digital assets and identifies vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them. ASM platforms like Censys enable organizations to proactively discover misconfigurations, outdated systems, and exposed endpoints across their attack surface, including shadow IT and ephemeral cloud assets they may be unaware of.

Network Segmentation and Data Backups

Network segmentation is another key strategy to minimize the impact of ransomware. By isolating critical systems and restricting lateral movement within the network, organizations can prevent the spread of ransomware after an initial breach. Regularly backing up data and storing it in secure, offline locations also ensures that organizations can recover from attacks without paying a ransom.

Proactive Threat Detection and Incident Response

Organizations should invest in advanced threat detection to monitor network activity for signs of compromise, such as unusual file encryption processes or unauthorized access attempts. Creating and rehearsing an incident response plan ensures that teams can act quickly to contain ransomware attacks and minimize damage. Partnering with internet intelligence providers can further enhance detection capabilities and inform mitigation strategies.

illustration for Leveraging Attack Surface Management for Holistic Protection section

Leveraging Attack Surface Management for Holistic Protection

As mentioned, Attack Surface Management can play a pivotal role in reducing ransomware risks by offering continuous, automated visibility into an organization’s digital footprint. With ASM, security teams can identify and remediate exposed assets, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit. This proactive approach complements traditional cybersecurity measures by reducing the likelihood of an attack before it begins.

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By combining these strategies, organizations can significantly reduce their vulnerability to ransomware, ensuring they are prepared to defend against evolving threats. Investing in tools like ASM and fostering a security-first culture empowers organizations to stay one step ahead of attackers and maintain resilience in the face of this growing challenge.

How Censys Helps Protect Against Ransomware

Censys helps security teams defend against ransomware by providing unmatched visibility and actionable insights into their organization’s external attack surface. Censys leverages its unmatched view of global internet infrastructure to continuously discover and monitor all assets on the attack surface, including exposed and misconfigured assets that ransomware attackers will exploit.

Specifically, Censys provides:

1. Comprehensive Visibility of Internet-Facing Assets

  • Ransomware often targets vulnerabilities in public-facing assets, making visibility critical. Censys continuously discovers and monitors all internet-exposed assets, such as hosts, domains, certificates, and cloud resources, to ensure no asset goes unnoticed​​.
  • With updates up to six times daily, Censys ensures that changes in cloud environments or newly discovered assets are promptly reflected​​.

2. Risk-Based Prioritization

  • Censys identifies vulnerabilities on public-facing assets, using rich data to assess and prioritize risks based on exploit likelihood, severity, and impact. This prioritization helps organizations focus on the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited by ransomware attackers​​.
  • Security teams can reduce mean-time-to-remediation by focusing on the most critical exposures first, with clear remediation guidance for each vulnerability.

3. Real-Time Response and Rapid Remediation

  • Censys’ rapid response capabilities enable security teams to act swiftly against zero-day vulnerabilities and known exploited vulnerabilities. Censys fingerprints affected software versions and notifies teams directly, reducing the response window for critical vulnerabilities that ransomware groups exploit​.

4. Cloud and Ephemeral Asset Monitoring

  • Censys integrates seamlessly with cloud providers (AWS, Azure, GCP, Wiz) to provide visibility into dynamic cloud assets that are often a blind spot in traditional security solutions. This capability ensures that assets vulnerable to ransomware in cloud environments are also secured​​.

5. Detection of Hidden and Misconfigured Assets

  • Using its extensive internet mapping and scanning capabilities, Censys uncovers misconfigurations, shadow IT, and services running on non-standard ports. These are prime targets for ransomware but are frequently overlooked by conventional tools​​.

6. Continuous and Transparent Updates

  • With its ability to attribute assets dynamically, Censys maintains an up-to-date attack surface inventory, reducing the risk of missed exposures due to outdated or incomplete data​​.

7. Tailored Alerts and Actionable Insights

  • Customizable alerts keep security teams informed about critical risks and new vulnerabilities as they emerge, allowing for a proactive approach to ransomware defense​​.
    With these capabilities, Censys makes it possible for organizations to stay ahead of ransomware groups, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks by addressing vulnerabilities proactively. This approach not only limits exposure but also enhances the efficiency of security teams in managing risks.

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Stay Ahead of Ransomware Threats

Ransomware is a growing threat that requires a proactive and comprehensive defense strategy. By addressing common attack vectors, organizations can significantly reduce their risk of falling victim to these consequential attacks.

Leveraging solutions like Censys empowers security teams with the visibility and insights needed to identify vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.

Don’t wait for an attack to test your defenses – take control of your cybersecurity today. Explore how Censys can help you stay ahead of ransomware threats and safeguard your organization’s critical assets.

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