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As cyber threats grow in sophistication and frequency, it’s critical for businesses to ensure their security defenses are impenetrable. Despite investing heavily in firewalls, endpoint protection, and security information and event management (SIEM) systems, many organizations still find themselves vulnerable to basic attack vectors. A recent study by Vonahi Security’s automated network pentesting platform, vPenTest, revealed a concerning trend: even after conducting over 10,000 automated internal network penetration tests, many businesses still have critical security gaps that attackers can easily exploit.
In this article, we explore the most common vulnerabilities discovered through these assessments and outline simple yet often overlooked steps organizations can take to fortify their networks.
The 10 Critical Internal Network Security Risks Uncovered by vPenTest
1. Password Deficiencies – Redis Service
A common oversight in network security is weak or missing passwords on services like Redis, an in-memory key-value store used for caching and real-time analytics. Failure to secure Redis with strong passwords can give attackers easy access to sensitive data and lead to system-level exploits. The solution? Enforce strong password policies for all services.
2. Firebird Servers Accept Default Credentials
Default credentials are often overlooked during system setups, leaving databases like Firebird vulnerable to unauthorized access. Attackers can use this as a foothold to read sensitive data or even execute system commands. The fix? Change default passwords immediately after installation and enforce regular credential audits.
3. Microsoft Windows RCE (BlueKeep)
BlueKeep, a critical vulnerability in Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), allows attackers to gain control of systems without authentication. Exploiting this flaw can compromise not just individual systems, but entire networks. Patch all affected systems immediately to prevent potential exploitation.
4. Microsoft Windows RCE (EternalBlue)
Another notorious Windows vulnerability, EternalBlue exploits the SMB protocol, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with full system privileges. This attack, which was responsible for the WannaCry ransomware outbreak, can be mitigated by ensuring all systems are patched against the EternalBlue vulnerability.
5. IPMI Authentication Bypass
IPMI, used for remote server management, is often vulnerable to authentication bypass due to weak or default passwords. Attackers exploiting this flaw can compromise servers and sensitive services. The solution is to secure IPMI with strong passwords and restrict its access to trusted systems only.
6. Outdated Microsoft Windows Systems
Running unsupported or outdated Windows systems exposes networks to easily exploitable vulnerabilities. Attackers can use these systems as entry points to gain access to sensitive data. Regularly update and upgrade systems to ensure they are protected against known threats.
7. IPv6 DNS Spoofing
A growing risk within networks that have adopted IPv6 is DNS spoofing, where attackers can intercept and manipulate DNS queries, leading to data exfiltration or further network exploitation. Mitigate this risk by managing rogue DHCP servers and configuring systems to prioritize IPv4.
8. Link-Local Multicast Name Resolution (LLMNR) Spoofing
LLMNR is a fallback mechanism for name resolution, but it can be exploited by attackers to intercept sensitive data. Disabling LLMNR across networks is a simple and effective way to prevent this vulnerability from being exploited.
9. NetBIOS Name Service (NBNS) Spoofing
Much like LLMNR, NBNS can be hijacked to redirect network traffic to malicious actors. The solution is to disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP and to ensure that systems are not dependent on this insecure protocol.
10. Multicast DNS (mDNS) Spoofing
Similar to LLMNR and NBNS, mDNS is a protocol that can be exploited to mislead systems into communicating with attackers. Disabling mDNS or blocking related ports in firewalls can mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability.
What Undercode Say: Analyzing the Security Gaps
The security risks identified in these assessments often stem from seemingly minor oversights. The overwhelming majority of vulnerabilities are not the result of sophisticated, zero-day exploits but rather simple, avoidable errors that attackers can easily exploit. Misconfigurations, weak passwords, and unpatched systems are recurring issues across businesses of all sizes and industries.
The issue is clear: organizations tend to focus on high-level defense strategies like firewalls and SIEMs, but neglect basic internal controls. A well-structured security system must include regular vulnerability assessments that simulate real-world attacks to uncover such flaws before attackers do. This is where automated pentesting platforms like vPenTest shine. By providing on-demand, continuous testing, vPenTest ensures that businesses can address weaknesses proactively, rather than waiting for an annual audit or relying on outdated security measures.
Moreover, many companies treat penetration testing as a box-checking exercise for compliance. However, this approach leaves critical gaps in between audits. The real value of penetration testing lies in its ability to identify and fix vulnerabilities continuously, not just at specific intervals. Security needs to be an ongoing priority, and automation allows businesses to stay ahead of attackers without the delays of manual testing.
vPenTest’s findings underscore the importance of continuous vigilance. These vulnerabilities are not anomalies; they are the result of systemic issues that often go unchecked. By shifting to automated pentesting, organizations can identify these security gaps year-round, keeping their networks secure from evolving threats.
Fact Checker Results
- Misconfigurations are a major contributor: 50% of identified vulnerabilities stem from overlooked settings, such as default configurations and weak access controls.
- Outdated patches create opportunities: 30% of risks arise from missing patches, underscoring the importance of timely software updates.
- Weak passwords remain a common vulnerability: 20% of issues are attributed to poor password practices, such as weak or easily guessed credentials.
References:
Reported By: https://thehackernews.com/2025/03/10-critical-network-pentest-findings-it.html
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