Unprotected SimpleHelp Vulnerabilities: A Gateway for Ransomware Gangs and Double Extortion Threats

’s RMM software and exploiting these vulnerabilities to demand a double extortion.”

Ransomware Gangs Targeting Unpatched SimpleHelp Flaws

As the cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, a new player has entered the arena.

Cybercriminals are exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities in the SimpleHelp Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platform to execute double extortion attacks.

This new play by ransomware gangs was publicly disclosed last Thursday by the U.S.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Experts are linking this trend to recent attacks on customers of an undisclosed utility billing software provider.

The advanced persistent threats (APTs) exploited the unsecured SimpleHelp RMM to orchestrate the hack.

The incident underlines the growing predilection of ransomware actors for organizations that have unpatched remote management tools, often resulting in double extortion events.

The Double Extortion Model

Double extortion is a two-pronged attack strategy where the attacker not only encrypts the victim’s data for a ransom but also threatens to leak the sensitive data to the public or sell it on the darknet.

This tactic adds an extra layer of pressure, forcing victims to pay to prevent both the loss of data and the stigmatization from a public data breach.

Protecting Against Double Extortion

To successfully defend against double extortion threats, organizations need to ensure that they are performing regular updates and patching any vulnerabilities in their systems.

In the case of SimpleHelp’s RMM software, this means staying on top of any security updates provided by the company.

However, patching alone may not suffice; organizations also need to backup crucial data and implement strong cybersecurity measures, including regular security awareness training for employees.

The Role of SimpleHelp RMM

SimpleHelp’s RMM software offers remote control, monitoring, and system management across various devices.

However, this vast access also presents a high-stakes risk; if compromised, hackers can gain control over an extensive network of systems that could be used to unleash devastating attacks.