As remote work becomes the norm, Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) servers have become critical infrastructure — but they’re also a prime target. A recent attack by the sophisticated Ransom Hub ransomware gang highlights how exposed RDP servers, weak passwords, and leftover admin privileges can rapidly escalate into full-scale ransomware campaigns.
What We Know About the Ransom Hub Attack
- Initial access via password spraying: Threat actors targeted an internet-facing RDP server over approximately four hours, compromising six user accounts using malicious IPs
- Credential theft next: Attackers deployed Mimikatz and Nirsoft tools to extract credentials from LSASS memory
- Network mapping and lateral movement: Using tools like Advanced IP Scanner and NetScan, attackers moved across systems via RDP, compromising backup servers and domain controllers
- Persistence and exfiltration: RMM tools (Atera, Splashtop) were installed for backdoor access. Over 2 GB of data was exfiltrated via Rclone/SFTP before RansomHub ransomware was deployed across the network
- Ransomware deployment: Within six days (118 hours), files were encrypted, backups were deleted, and logs wiped using SMB — completing a stealthy, high-impact attack .
Why RDP Servers Are Still a Top Threat Vector
- Internet-facing RDP with no IP restrictions invites brute-force and password-spray attacks.
- Weak passwords and missing MFA make breach progression straightforward.
- Lack of internal visibility allows attackers to linger unmonitored.
- Unrestricted lateral movement helps them escalate and exfiltrate efficiently.
True to form, RansomHub’s operators blend stealth with speed — moving carefully at first, then detonating ransomware once full control is achieved
A Final Word
This incident serves as a wake-up call: your exposed RDP servers could be the gateway to complete network compromise. Even if attacks start quietly, the goal is fast, devastating impact. The defenses you implement today matter — when stealth turns into devastation, there’s no going back.
Are Your RDP Servers Hardened Against Ransomware Tactics?
At Finstein, we help organizations secure their remote access infrastructure with proactive RDP hardening, credential protection, continuous monitoring, and ransomware readiness testing.
Ready to Make RDP Secure & Resilient? Contact Finstein Today
📧 Praveen@Finstein.ai
📞 Phone: +91 99400 16037
🌐 Website: www.cyber.finstein.ai
Don’t wait for an RDP compromise to demand ransom let’s secure your systems before it’s too late.
