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.

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are revolutionizing the way people write. While some find this exciting, others worry about what it means for creativity, originality, and even job security. But instead of fearing AI, what if we saw it as a tool to enhance our writing rather than replace it?

The Role of AI in Writing

The idea of AI assisting with something as inherently human as writing raises important questions. How will it affect creativity? Will AI-generated content lack originality? Will all writing start to sound the same?

The reality is that AI doesn’t replace good human writers—it enhances their work. No one wants to read text that feels robotic or algorithmically assembled. But when used strategically, AI can help writers brainstorm ideas, refine their structure, improve clarity, and critically assess their work.

The key to making AI work for you? Mastering the art of writing great prompts.

How to Use AI to Improve Your Writing

The difference between letting AI write for you versus using AI to elevate your writing comes down to the prompts—the natural language instructions that guide AI in generating responses. Well-crafted prompts can turn AI into an intelligent writing assistant that enhances creativity instead of replacing it.

Here are five powerful AI prompts that can transform the way you write:

1. Critically Assess Your Writing

One of the most valuable ways to use AI is for objective feedback. Whether you need help refining clarity, checking logic, or ensuring factual accuracy, this prompt turns AI into an insightful editor.

🔹 Prompt:
“Critically assess this text’s clarity, logic, and factual accuracy. Evaluate how successfully it communicates its core message and engages the reader. Identify any gaps in information, inconsistencies, or areas that need improvement. Provide a report with actionable steps to enhance the content, such as further research, structural changes, or additional data.”

💡 Tip: AI can highlight potential weaknesses, but it’s still important to apply your own judgment when refining your work.

2. Find the Perfect Word When You’re Stuck

Every writer has experienced that frustrating moment when they can’t quite find the right word. Instead of settling for a placeholder, let AI generate alternatives that better capture your intended meaning.

🔹 Prompt:
“Please analyze this text and provide 10 alternative words or phrases to replace ‘[word]’ with a more precise or impactful choice.”

💡 Tip: If AI’s suggestions don’t quite fit, ask for variations based on tone (e.g., “more formal,” “more poetic,” or “more persuasive”).

3. Smash Through Writer’s Block

Staring at a blank page? AI can generate writing exercises to spark creativity and help you get unstuck. Whether you’re working on a blog post, novel, or speech, this prompt provides structured exercises tailored to your project.

🔹 Prompt:
“Generate five short writing exercises to help me overcome writer’s block. My goal is to write a [blog post/novel/speech, etc.] on [topic]. The exercises should inspire fresh ideas and encourage me to start writing.”

💡 Tip: Use AI-generated prompts to freewrite—don’t overthink it. Just let the words flow.

4. Proofread and Edit Like a Pro

Proofreading and editing are essential steps in the writing process, but they can be time-consuming. AI can serve as a first-pass editor, catching errors and suggesting improvements while maintaining your unique voice.

🔹 Prompt:
“Proofread this text, checking for factual errors, grammatical accuracy, spelling, and punctuation mistakes. Then, edit the text for clarity, consistency, and readability. Provide a summary of changes made and an improved version of the text.”

💡 Tip: AI-generated edits aren’t always perfect. Use them as suggestions rather than automatic corrections.

5. Make Your Writing More Persuasive

Persuasive writing is a powerful skill in various situations—whether crafting a compelling job application, an impactful sales pitch, or an argument for a cause. This prompt helps refine your message to maximize influence.

🔹 Prompt:
“Analyze this text’s persuasiveness. Identify strengths and weaknesses in tone, structure, and argumentation. Provide actionable tips to enhance its impact and make it more convincing.”

💡 Tip: If writing persuasively is a challenge, ask AI for examples of similar persuasive writing to study and model.

Mastering the Art of AI Prompts

Writing is an expansive discipline, covering everything from technical manuals to poetry, novels, and advertising copy. No matter your niche, AI can make you a more efficient, productive, and polished writer—but only if you use it wisely.

Instead of fearing that AI will replace human writers, embrace it as a tool for growth. It won’t generate masterpieces on its own, but it can refine ideas, enhance clarity, and provide fresh perspectives—all while keeping your creative voice intact.

Conclusion

Will AI replace some writing jobs? Probably. Some industries have already seen automation take over repetitive writing tasks. But writers who adapt, evolve, and leverage AI as a creative tool will always have a place.

By learning how to craft better AI prompts, writers can stay ahead of the curve—not just surviving the AI revolution, but thriving in it.

FAQs

🔹 How will AI affect human creativity?
AI can enhance creativity by helping writers brainstorm, refine ideas, and improve their craft. However, originality and storytelling still rely on human intuition and experience.

🔹 Will all AI-generated writing sound the same?
Not necessarily. While poorly crafted prompts can lead to generic results, strong prompts and human input can ensure diversity in tone and style.

🔹 Can AI replace good human writers?
AI can assist but not replace skilled writers who bring emotion, nuance, and lived experience to their work.

🔹 How can I use AI to improve my writing?
By using AI strategically—for brainstorming, editing, overcoming writer’s block, and refining clarity—rather than relying on it to generate entire pieces from scratch.