If your business relies on a SonicWall firewall or SSL VPN for remote access, patching is urgent. Recent reporting shows attackers logging into SonicWall SSL VPN accounts at scale using stolen credentials, then moving deeper into internal networks. Once the VPN door is open, the rest of the network is next.
At Illini Tech Services, we have had multiple Central Illinois companies reach out after a full SonicWall compromise. In one case, Akira ransomware encrypted workstations, servers, and network systems. Even with that level of damage, we were able to get them fully operational again within a week. Recovery is possible, but prevention is far less costly.
What is happening with SonicWall breaches?
Researchers have warned about a widespread campaign where threat actors accessed over 100 SonicWall SSL VPN accounts across multiple environments using valid, stolen credentials, not password guessing. After logging in, attackers often performed network scans and attempted to access internal Windows accounts. See: BleepingComputer coverage.
We are also seeing ransomware groups like Akira tied to SonicWall SSL VPN exposures, especially when devices are inherited, forgotten, or left unpatched. See: Cyber Press on Akira and SonicWall SSL VPN.
On top of that, SonicWall customers have dealt with incidents involving firewall configuration backup files in the MySonicWall cloud backup service, including reporting that a nation state actor was involved. Even if credentials in backups are encrypted, configuration data can still help attackers plan targeted intrusions. See: Dark Reading and Cybersecurity Dive.
CISA has also added SonicWall issues to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog. When a flaw lands there, it signals active exploitation against real organizations. See: Security Affairs. Reporting also highlights active exploitation against SonicWall SMA appliances. See: Cyber Press on the SMA1000 zero day.
Why unpatched SonicWall equipment is high risk
SonicWall devices sit at the edge of your network. That is exactly where attackers want to be.
When the appliance is unpatched, misconfigured, or exposed to the internet longer than it should be, attackers can:
- Use stolen VPN credentials to establish a tunnel into your office network
- Scan for servers, file shares, and domain controllers
- Launch password spraying and brute force attempts from inside the network
- Capture traffic and steal credentials from endpoints, especially where legacy protocols exist
- Exfiltrate sensitive data, then deploy ransomware like Akira
This is how “SonicWall hacked” turns into “SonicWall ransomware” and days of downtime.
You may not know you are already compromised
Attackers often sit quietly on a VPN tunnel, testing access, collecting credentials, and escalating privileges. The first obvious symptom might be disabled security tools, deleted backups, or a ransom note on every machine.
If you have not patched recently, it is not a matter of if a SonicWall compromise will happen, it is when. In some environments, it has already happened and no one has noticed yet.
What to do today
If you run SonicWall equipment, take these steps now:
1) Confirm firmware is current and supported. If the device is end of life, plan a replacement.
2) Reset and rotate credentials for admin accounts, VPN users, and any integrated authentication systems.
3) Enable multi factor authentication for all remote access.
4) Restrict management access from the internet. Disable WAN management if you do not need it.
5) Review logs for unusual VPN logins, new accounts, and repeated authentication attempts.
6) Add layered security like EDR and 24/7 monitoring, because a firewall is only one control.
How Illini Tech Services helps Central Illinois businesses
If you are unsure whether your SonicWall is patched, properly configured, or already compromised, we can help quickly. Our team can audit your SonicWall exposure, patch and harden existing devices, replace unsupported gear, deploy EDR, and provide SOC monitoring to catch threats early.
Learn more about our services:
If you found this page while searching for signs that your SonicWall has been hacked or compromised, do not wait. The faster you respond, the less damage an attacker can do.
Illini Tech Services
21709 State Rte 4, Carlinville, IL 62626
217-854-6260
[email protected]