Beware the Brute Force Ransomware Attackers

Ransomware Group Create Automated VPN and Firewall Brute Force Attack Tool

Recently leaked chat logs from the Black Basta ransomware group have revealed many things, including that passwords and stolen 2FA codes are driving many attacks. That’s not exactly a shocking revelation, it has to be said. Nor, for that matter, that these stolen credentials were used in brute force credential-stuffing attacks against enterprise targets.

Newly Published Research Confirms Brute Forcing Framework

New research by Arda Büyükkaya, a cyber threat intelligence analyst at EclecticIQ, has now confirmed "a previously unknown brute forcing framework" that has been used by the Black Basta gang to automate the process of gaining access to enterprise VPNs and firewalls. The tool, called Bruted, is designed to automate the process of gaining access to enterprise VPNs and firewalls by scanning for valid hostnames and IP addresses, and then using locally generated guesses to perform bulk authentication attempts.

How Ransomware Actors Employ the Bruted Brute Force Tool

The Bruted script is written in PHP and applies specialized brute-force logic for every individual attack platform, using tailored user-agent strings, endpoint paths, and success checks. The tool works by automating subdomain enumeration and IP resolution for any given domain to scan for potentially valid hostnames and IP addresses. It reports any discovered hosts back to a remote command-and-control endpoint, and then collates likely passwords from a remote server and combines them with locally generated guesses to perform bulk authentication attempts.

Targeted Vendors and Technologies

The tool is configured to attack a range of known targets, including SonicWall NetExtender, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect, Fortinet SSL VPN, Citrix NetScaler (Citrix Gateway), Microsoft RDWeb, and WatchGuard SSL VPN.

Mitigation Strategies

To mitigate these ransomware attacks, Büyükkaya recommended ensuring all devices are fully patched and up to date, password and login policies are strengthened, and unnecessary services and features are disabled.

Conclusion

The rise of automated brute force attacks against enterprise VPNs and firewalls is a growing concern for organizations looking to protect themselves against ransomware attacks. The Bruted tool is a sophisticated solution that enables attackers to gain initial access to target networks and then deploy ransomware. It is essential for organizations to stay vigilant and implement robust security measures to prevent these attacks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the Bruted tool?
A: The Bruted tool is a PHP-based brute forcing framework used by the Black Basta ransomware group to automate the process of gaining access to enterprise VPNs and firewalls.

Q: What is the purpose of the Bruted tool?
A: The purpose of the Bruted tool is to automate the process of gaining access to enterprise VPNs and firewalls by scanning for valid hostnames and IP addresses, and then using locally generated guesses to perform bulk authentication attempts.

Q: What are the targeted vendors and technologies?
A: The targeted vendors and technologies include SonicWall NetExtender, Palo Alto GlobalProtect, Cisco AnyConnect, Fortinet SSL VPN, Citrix NetScaler (Citrix Gateway), Microsoft RDWeb, and WatchGuard SSL VPN.

Introduction

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, software and platforms for accessibility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism (DEIA) are becoming increasingly important. Creating accessible content is crucial for organizations to reach a wider audience, improve user experience, and promote inclusivity. Artificial intelligence (AI) is playing a significant role in this effort, enabling the creation of more accessible and user-friendly content. In this guide, we will explore the role of AI in creating accessible content and provide practical tips for implementing AI-powered solutions in your organization.

What is Accessible Content?

Accessible content refers to content that is designed to be usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or language. This includes text, images, videos, and other multimedia elements that are easily accessible and understandable by all users. Accessible content is not only a moral imperative but also a legal requirement under anti-discrimination laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.

How AI Can Help Create Accessible Content

AI-powered tools can significantly improve the accessibility of digital content by automating tasks, streamlining processes, and providing insights that can inform content creation. Some of the ways AI can help create accessible content include:

1. Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Automatic Transcription

NLP algorithms can automatically transcribe audio and video content into text, making it easier for users to consume. This is particularly useful for podcasts, videos, and lectures.

2. Image Recognition and Description

AI-powered image recognition can automatically add alt text to images, making them accessible to users with visual impairments or those who prefer to browse without images.

3. Language Translation and Localization

4. Content Analysis and Recommendations

5. User Feedback and Analytics

Best Practices for Implementing AI-Powered Accessible Content

To get the most out of AI-powered accessible content, follow these best practices:

1. Define Your Goals and Objectives

Before implementing AI-powered accessible content, define your goals and objectives, such as increasing website traffic or improving user engagement.

2. Choose the Right AI Tools and Platforms

Select AI-powered tools and platforms that align with your goals and objectives, and are compatible with your content management system.

3. Train and Test Your AI Models

Train and test your AI models to ensure they are accurate and effective in creating accessible content.

4. Monitor and Analyze User Feedback

Monitor and analyze user feedback to identify areas for improvement and optimize your content accordingly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AI has the potential to revolutionize the creation of accessible content, enabling organizations to reach a wider audience and promote inclusivity. By understanding the role of AI in creating accessible content and following best practices for implementation, organizations can create content that is more accessible, user-friendly, and effective. Remember, accessible content is not just a moral imperative but also a legal requirement. By embracing AI-powered accessible content, you can create a more inclusive digital landscape that benefits everyone.

FAQs

• What is the purpose of accessible content? Accessible content is designed to be usable by everyone, regardless of their abilities, disabilities, or language.
• How can AI help create accessible content? AI can help create accessible content by automating tasks, streamlining processes, and providing insights that can inform content creation.
• What are some best practices for implementing AI-powered accessible content? Best practices include defining your goals and objectives, choosing the right AI tools and platforms, training and testing your AI models, and monitoring and analyzing user feedback.
• Why is accessible content important? Accessible content is important because it enables organizations to reach a wider audience, improve user experience, and promote inclusivity, which is both a moral and legal requirement.

As emerging tech trends continue to shape the modern workplace, project management is no exception. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, the traditional project management landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. In this article, we’ll explore how AI and automation are revolutionizing the project management industry, and what it means for professionals and organizations alike.

The Current State of Project Management

Project management has always been a complex and time-consuming process, involving multiple stakeholders, tasks, and resources. Traditional project management methods, such as Waterfall and Agile, have been widely used, but they have their limitations. These methods often rely on manual data entry, tedious reporting, and human error, which can lead to delays, cost overruns, and poor project outcomes.

The Role of AI in Project Management

AI is changing the game in project management by providing a new level of efficiency, accuracy, and speed. AI-powered project management tools can automate routine tasks, such as data entry, reporting, and forecasting, freeing up project managers to focus on high-value tasks like strategy, decision-making, and team collaboration. AI can also analyze large datasets, identify patterns, and provide insights that humans may miss, allowing for data-driven decision-making.

Key Benefits of AI in Project Management

Some of the key benefits of AI in project management include:

Improved Data Accuracy

AI-powered tools can analyze large datasets, reducing the risk of human error and providing accurate insights for better decision-making.

Enhanced Collaboration

AI can facilitate seamless communication and collaboration among team members, stakeholders, and customers, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.

Increased Efficiency

AI can automate routine tasks, freeing up project managers to focus on high-value tasks, improving productivity and reducing project timelines.

Better Resource Allocation

AI can analyze resource utilization, identify bottlenecks, and provide recommendations for optimized resource allocation, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and effectively.

Challenges and Limitations of AI in Project Management

While AI is transforming project management, there are also challenges and limitations to consider:

Data Quality

AI is only as good as the data it’s trained on. Poor-quality data can lead to inaccurate insights and poor decision-making.

Bias and Unfairness

AI systems can be biased and unfair, perpetuating existing inequalities and biases in the workforce.

Cybersecurity Risks

AI-powered project management tools can be vulnerable to cyber threats, compromising project data and intellectual property.

Automation in Project Management

Automation is another key trend in project management, aimed at streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Automation can:

Streamline Processes

Automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry, reporting, and forecasting, freeing up project managers to focus on high-value tasks.

Reduce Costs

Automate processes, reducing labor costs, and improving resource utilization.

Improve Efficiency

Automate processes, reducing errors, and improving project timelines.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of project management is being shaped by AI and automation. While there are challenges and limitations, the benefits are undeniable. As professionals and organizations, we must be aware of the limitations and biases of AI systems and ensure that they are designed and implemented with fairness, transparency, and accountability in mind. By embracing AI and automation, we can create a more efficient, effective, and collaborative project management landscape, revolutionizing the way we work and achieve our goals.

FAQs

Q: What is the role of AI in project management?
A: AI is changing the game in project management by providing a new level of efficiency, accuracy, and speed. AI-powered project management tools can automate routine tasks, analyze large datasets, and provide insights for better decision-making.

Q: What are the benefits of AI in project management?
A: Some of the key benefits of AI in project management include improved data accuracy, enhanced collaboration, increased efficiency, and better resource allocation.

Q: What are the challenges and limitations of AI in project management?
A: The challenges and limitations of AI in project management include data quality, bias and unfairness, and cyber security risks.

Q: What is the role of automation in project management?
A: Automation is another key trend in project management, aimed at streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving efficiency. Automation can automate repetitive tasks, reduce labor costs, and improve resource utilization.

Q: How can I get started with AI and automation in project management?
A: To get started with AI and automation in project management, you can begin by identifying areas where automation can improve efficiency, start using AI-powered tools, and develop a plan for implementing AI and automation in your organization.