The Akira ransomware group has once again raised the stakes in cybercrime by exploiting a critical SonicWall vulnerability—CVE-2024-40766—to infiltrate corporate networks through SSL VPN accounts, even those secured with one-time password multi-factor authentication. Once inside, Akira’s affiliates execute one of the most dangerous tactics in modern ransomware: Living Off the Land. By hijacking legitimate, pre-installed IT tools like the Datto RMM platform and backup agents, the attackers blend in with routine administrative work, making their intrusions nearly invisible to traditional defenses.
What makes this campaign even more dangerous is Akira’s operational tempo. According to Arctic Wolf and Barracuda, dwell times are now measured in hours instead of days, giving defenders almost no time to respond. The group also automates authentication attempts and leverages Impacket SMB for rapid network discovery, suggesting a distributed affiliate structure capable of launching simultaneous, scalable attacks.
This episode unpacks how Akira turns trusted IT software into attack infrastructure, why the SonicWall flaw remains a critical access point despite being patched, and what early warning signs defenders should monitor—like unexpected VPN logins and anomalous SMB activity. With ransomware now capable of moving faster than incident response teams can react, Akira’s methods signal a dangerous new phase in cyber extortion.
#AkiraRansomware #SonicWall #CVE202440766 #Ransomware #VPN #LivingOffTheLand #Impacket #Datto #AffiliateModel #Cybersecurity
