Posted by: Aubrey Felix on September 10, 2025 at 8:14 am
Does The SonicWall VPN Exploitation Effect My Business?
In August 2025, cybersecurity researchers began tracking active attacks targeting SonicWall firewalls with SSL VPN enabled. In plain English, hackers found a way to exploit the remote-access feature, not the firewall itself, as a potential “front door” into company networks. Once inside, attackers moved quickly to disable protections and, in some cases, push toward ransomware infections linked to groups like Akira.
Early reports suggested this might be a brand-new “zero-day” threat. But SonicWall has since confirmed the activity ties back to a known issue (CVE-2024-40766) and, in some cases, to older accounts or passwords that weren’t properly reset after device migrations.
What This Means for Business Leaders
It’s important to separate fact from fear: SonicWall firewalls remain an effective and trusted security solution. The problem isn’t the firewall; it’s the SSL VPN feature if it’s not patched and maintained correctly. When left unprotected, remote access can be the doorway attackers use to get inside.
For small businesses, that’s a reminder that firewalls aren’t “set it and forget it.” Like any piece of technology, they need ongoing updates, password resets, and configuration reviews to stay strong.
What You Should Ask Your IT Provider
The good news is, this isn’t something you have to figure out on your own. But it is the right time to ask your IT team or MSP to confirm a few key safeguards:
- Firmware & Settings: Are we on the recommended SonicOS version (7.3.0) and applying the latest security guidance?
- Passwords & Accounts: Have all local and directory-linked accounts tied to the VPN been reset? Are there any unknown admin accounts?
- MFA & Lockouts: Is multi-factor authentication turned on, and are lockout policies in place to block brute-force login attempts?
- Threat Check: Have firewall logs and recent changes been reviewed for anything unusual? Has a quick scan been run for the latest indicators of compromise?
Earlier advisories even suggested temporarily disabling SSL VPN access until updates were applied. Whether that’s needed for your business depends on your setup, and your IT provider can give you the right guidance.
What Employees Can Do Right Now
Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue, it’s a team effort. Here are three simple, practical steps every employee can take today:
- Update your work password and avoid reusing it elsewhere.
- Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever it’s available, and never approve a login prompt you didn’t initiate.
- Report anything suspicious immediately, whether that’s an odd VPN prompt, a sudden login alert, or security tools shutting down unexpectedly.
The Bottom Line?
The SonicWall VPN Exploitation news isn’t about a failing product; it’s about staying proactive with updates and security best practices. SonicWall still remains a secure and reliable choice for protecting your network. If you’re unsure whether your system has been updated, or just want a second look for peace of mind, reach out to your IT provider. They’ll confirm your firewall’s status, apply any needed updates, and keep your defenses tuned against these evolving threats.
And if you’re already a customer of TAZ Networks, then you can sit back and relax. We’ve got you covered. If you aren’t reach out today and see how we can help.