Unveiling the Evolution: A Comprehensive History of Mass Hacks

In the rapidly evolving landscape of enterprise cybersecurity, tools such as routers, firewalls, and VPNs play a crucial role in safeguarding corporate networks from intruders and hackers. As remote and hybrid work becomes the norm, these protective measures are more important than ever. However, a concerning trend has emerged: many security solutions themselves contain vulnerabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors, putting organizations at risk.

The Rise of Mass Hacking Campaigns

In recent years, the prevalence of mass-hacking campaigns has surged, primarily due to software bugs that allow hackers to infiltrate networks. Below is a timeline of significant mass hacks that highlight this alarming trend.

January 2023: Fortra File-Transfer Tool Hacks

• The Clop ransomware gang exploited a vulnerability in Fortra’s GoAnywhere software.
• Over 130 organizations were affected, leading to the exposure of millions of personal records.
• Notable victims included Hitachi Energy and Rubrik.

May 2023: MOVEit Breach

• A flaw in Progress Software’s MOVEit allowed the Clop group to steal data from over 60 million individuals.
• Maximus, a major U.S. government contractor, confirmed the breach affecting 11 million individuals.

October 2023: Cisco Zero-Day Vulnerability

• A zero-day vulnerability in Cisco’s networking software compromised tens of thousands of devices.
• Attackers gained full control over these devices, affecting enterprise switches and routers.

November 2023: Citrix NetScaler Exploited

• The “CitrixBleed” bug was leveraged by the LockBit ransomware gang.
• Victims included major corporations like Boeing and Allen & Overy.

January 2024: Ivanti VPN Exploits

• Chinese state-backed hackers exploited vulnerabilities in Ivanti’s Connect Secure VPN.
• Over 1,700 appliances were found to be compromised across various industries.

February 2024: ConnectWise Vulnerabilities

• Two flaws in ConnectWise ScreenConnect were exploited to deploy malware.
• Hackers targeted the tool used for remote technical support.

November 2024: Palo Alto Firewall Risks

• Zero-day vulnerabilities in Palo Alto Networks’ PAN-OS were exploited, risking thousands of enterprises.
• Security experts noted that the issues stemmed from basic development mistakes.

December 2024: Clop Targets Cleo Software

• The Clop gang exploited vulnerabilities in Cleo Software’s tools, affecting numerous customers.
• Reported victims included major supply chain firms like Blue Yonder.

January 2025: Renewed Ivanti Attacks

• New vulnerabilities in Ivanti’s VPN were exploited, leading to further breaches.
• Hundreds of systems were reported to be backdoored.

Fortinet and SonicWall Vulnerabilities

• Fortinet confirmed that hackers exploited a flaw in its FortiGate firewalls since December 2024.
• SonicWall reported active exploitation of a vulnerability in its SMA1000 remote access appliance.

These incidents underscore the critical need for organizations to remain vigilant and proactive in their cybersecurity strategies. Regularly updating security software and conducting vulnerability assessments can help mitigate risks.

For more information on enhancing your cybersecurity posture, consider visiting Cybersecurity.gov for resources and guidance. Additionally, explore our internal resources on cybersecurity best practices to better protect your organization against emerging threats.