Top 5 VPN Vulnerabilities in 2025

I. Executive Summary

The reliance on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has grown significantly as organizations embrace remote work and individuals seek enhanced online privacy and security. However, this increased dependence has also made VPNs a prime target for cyber threat actors. In 2025, the threat landscape surrounding VPNs is expected to become even more complex, driven by advancements in attacker techniques and the increasing sophistication of malware. This report identifies the top 5 predicted vulnerabilities that organizations and individuals should be aware of in 2025. These include the continued exploitation of VPN perimeter devices, the rise of AI-powered attacks targeting VPN credentials and seeking to evade detection, protocol-specific weaknesses in widely used VPN technologies, risks associated with the security of VPN server infrastructure, and the potential impact of advanced network surveillance and emerging technologies. To mitigate these risks, organizations and individuals must adopt a proactive and multi-layered security approach, including implementing Zero Trust architectures, enforcing strong multi-factor authentication, prioritizing timely patch management, and staying informed about the evolving threat landscape.

II. Introduction

• The Critical Role of VPNs in Modern Cybersecurity: Virtual Private Networks have become indispensable tools for establishing secure remote access to organizational networks and protecting data as it travels across the internet. This is particularly true in an era marked by a significant increase in remote work arrangements. Beyond corporate use, individuals are increasingly adopting VPNs to enhance their online privacy, secure their internet connections on public Wi-Fi networks, and bypass internet censorship. This growing demand has led to the evolution of VPNs from simple IP address masking tools to comprehensive privacy and security solutions, incorporating features like ad blocking and parental controls.
• The Evolving Threat Landscape Targeting VPNs: The cybersecurity landscape in 2025 is characterized by increasingly sophisticated cyber threat actors, including advanced persistent threat (APT) groups and nation-state actors, who possess significant resources and expertise to identify and exploit vulnerabilities. A major concern is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI)-powered cyberattacks, which are becoming more adaptive, personalized, and difficult to detect than traditional threats. Furthermore, ransomware remains a persistent and evolving threat, with attackers consistently seeking to leverage existing vulnerabilities in various systems, including VPNs, to gain initial access to target networks.
• The Need for Proactive VPN Security in 2025: Given the critical role of VPNs and the escalating threats targeting them, it is imperative for organizations and individuals to proactively anticipate and prepare for emerging VPN vulnerabilities in 2025. This forward-thinking approach is essential for safeguarding sensitive data, protecting users from malicious attacks, and ensuring the continuity of operations. Cybersecurity forecasts for 2025 predict a substantial increase in the overall number of software vulnerabilities, and this trend is expected to include vulnerabilities affecting VPN technologies. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of these potential weaknesses and the implementation of robust security measures are crucial for navigating the evolving threat landscape.

III. Predicted Top 5 VPN Vulnerabilities in 2025

Continued Targeting of VPN Gateways and Firewalls: Reports indicate a consistent pattern of cybercriminals targeting VPN gateways and firewalls as primary entry points into organizational networks. Coalition’s Cyber Threat Index 2025 revealed that a significant majority, 58%, of ransomware incidents in 2024 originated from the compromise of these perimeter security appliances, including VPNs and firewalls. This trend of exploiting these technologies is anticipated to persist throughout 2025, as attackers continue to leverage known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. Notably, products from vendors such as Fortinet, Cisco, SonicWall, Palo Alto Networks, and Microsoft have been identified as being among the most frequently compromised.

Vulnerabilities in Specific VPN Products: The early months of 2025 have already witnessed the exploitation of critical vulnerabilities in specific VPN products. Ivanti Connect Secure VPN appliances were targeted by a series of attacks exploiting CVE-2025-0282 and CVE-2025-0283, which allowed for unauthenticated remote code execution, potentially leading to significant network compromise. Subsequently, a critical zero-day vulnerability, CVE-2025-22457, was discovered in Ivanti Connect Secure, Policy Secure, and ZTA Gateways and was actively exploited in the wild by a suspected China-nexus espionage group. While these incidents specifically highlight Ivanti products, vulnerabilities are also being discovered in other vendors’ offerings. For instance, a vulnerability in the Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) protocol for Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Software and Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) Software, disclosed in October 2024, could enable an unauthenticated remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service condition. Similarly, a vulnerability in the Cisco AnyConnect VPN server of Cisco Meraki MX and Z Series devices could allow an authenticated remote attacker to trigger a denial-of-service in the AnyConnect service.

The Role of Exposed Login Panels: A significant but often overlooked risk lies in internet-exposed remote management solutions and login panels associated with VPN devices. These exposed interfaces provide attackers with readily accessible entry points to attempt credential-based attacks or exploit known vulnerabilities. Alarmingly, a considerable percentage of businesses applying for cyber insurance have been found to have at least one internet-exposed web login panel, indicating a widespread lack of awareness or proper mitigation of this risk.

The consistent success of attackers in compromising VPN perimeter devices for ransomware attacks underscores a fundamental weakness in the security strategies of many organizations. These devices, intended to be the first line of defense, are frequently found to be vulnerable due to unpatched software or insecure configurations. The fact that known vulnerabilities in products from major vendors continue to be exploited suggests a widespread challenge in maintaining up-to-date security practices. Furthermore, the involvement of sophisticated actors, such as nation-state sponsored groups targeting Ivanti VPNs, indicates that these vulnerabilities are not just avenues for opportunistic cybercriminals but also strategic targets for espionage and other malicious activities. The persistence of older vulnerabilities being actively exploited years after their initial discovery points to a potential lag in organizations’ patch management processes or a reluctance to upgrade or replace outdated VPN appliances.

B. AI-Powered Attacks Targeting VPN Credentials and Evasion

Enhanced Social Engineering and Phishing: The year 2025 is expected to witness a significant increase in the sophistication and effectiveness of social engineering and phishing attacks targeting VPN users, driven by advancements in artificial intelligence. AI technologies, including deepfake technology and large language models (LLMs), enable attackers to create highly convincing and personalized impersonations, making it increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate communications and malicious attempts to steal their VPN credentials. AI can now mimic voices and writing styles with remarkable accuracy, allowing attackers to craft believable phishing emails, text messages, and even voice calls that appear to originate from trusted sources. This includes a predicted rise in vishing (voice phishing) attacks leveraging generative AI, which are expected to significantly improve the success rates of ransomware campaigns by tricking individuals into divulging sensitive information or taking malicious actions.

AI-Driven Malware Development and Evasion: Cybercriminals are also leveraging AI to develop more sophisticated and evasive malware designed to target VPN connections and the data they protect. Machine learning algorithms can be used to create malware that can mutate its code in real-time, allowing it to evade detection by traditional signature-based antivirus solutions and intrusion detection systems that might be monitoring VPN traffic. There are also concerns about the potential for AI to be used to bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA), a security measure commonly employed to protect VPN access. As AI models become more advanced, they might be able to analyze patterns and weaknesses in MFA implementations to circumvent this crucial security layer. Furthermore, the emergence of “agentic AI,” where AI systems exhibit greater autonomy, raises the specter of malicious AI agents and intelligent malware that could pose highly sophisticated and persistent threats to VPN security.

AI in Reconnaissance and Attack Chain Automation: Beyond crafting sophisticated attacks, AI is also being utilized by threat actors for reconnaissance and the automation of attack chains targeting VPNs. AI can be employed to efficiently profile potential targets, gather intelligence on their VPN infrastructure and security practices, and generate tailored attack strategies. This includes the ability to develop entire attack chains, encompassing target profiling, malware generation, payload delivery, lateral movement across networks accessed through compromised VPNs, and the exfiltration of valuable data. The increasing availability of AI-powered hacking tools and platforms is also lowering the technical barrier for less skilled cybercriminals to launch highly advanced attacks, potentially leading to a surge in AI-driven threats against VPNs in 2025.

The integration of AI into cyberattacks signifies a major shift in the threat landscape for VPNs. The enhanced capabilities offered by AI, such as the creation of highly personalized and believable social engineering attacks, directly challenge the effectiveness of human vigilance as a primary defense. The potential for AI-driven malware to evade traditional security measures means that organizations need to invest in more advanced detection and response capabilities to protect their VPN endpoints. The prospect of AI bypassing MFA is particularly alarming as it would undermine a key security control relied upon to protect against unauthorized VPN access. The development of autonomous AI agents capable of operating within compromised networks accessed via VPNs introduces a new level of complexity to threat detection and remediation.

C. Protocol-Specific Vulnerabilities and Weaknesses

OpenVPN Vulnerabilities: Despite its long-standing reputation for security, OpenVPN has been found to be susceptible to vulnerabilities. In January 2025, a critical vulnerability (CVE-2024-5594) that had been patched in June 2024 was publicly disclosed. This flaw allows attackers to inject arbitrary data into third-party executables or plug-ins, potentially leading to code execution or denial-of-service attacks on systems using vulnerable versions of OpenVPN (versions prior to 2.6.11). Additionally, a denial-of-service vulnerability (CVE-2025-2704) was identified in OpenVPN versions 2.6.1 through 2.6.13 when operating in server mode using TLS-crypt-v2. This vulnerability can be triggered by a remote attacker sending specially crafted network packets, causing the OpenVPN server to crash.

WireGuard Protocol Weaknesses: While WireGuard is lauded for its speed and modern cryptography, it has certain inherent design characteristics that can be considered weaknesses in specific contexts. By default, WireGuard stores connected IP addresses on the server until it is rebooted or a user hasn’t had a key exchange for a few minutes, which can pose privacy trade-offs for VPN services that advertise a strict no-logs policy. Although some VPN providers have implemented solutions like Double NAT systems or regularly removing peer information to mitigate this. Another limitation of WireGuard is its lack of built-in traffic obfuscation, which can make it easier for network administrators or internet service providers (ISPs) to detect and potentially block VPN traffic. Furthermore, WireGuard primarily uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and does not employ the same handshake protocols as OpenVPN, which, while contributing to its speed, might affect reliability in certain network conditions or make it less versatile in bypassing some types of network restrictions. Finally, WireGuard utilizes a fixed set of cryptographic algorithms, which, while currently considered strong, could become a limitation if vulnerabilities are discovered in these algorithms in the future.

KEv2 Protocol Security Issues: The Internet Key Exchange version 2 (IKEv2) protocol, often paired with IPsec, is generally considered a fast and secure protocol, particularly well-suited for mobile devices due to its ability to quickly re-establish connections when switching networks. However, vulnerabilities can still arise in its implementation. As mentioned earlier, a denial-of-service vulnerability was found in the IKEv2 protocol for Cisco ASA and FTD software due to insufficient input validation when processing crafted IKEv2 traffic. Additionally, heap-based buffer overflow Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerabilities (CVE-2025-21208, CVE-2025-21401) have been identified in Windows Server Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) servers, which are commonly deployed to support Always On VPN connections using IKEv2. While IKEv2 itself has no known inherent vulnerabilities, the security ultimately depends on its proper configuration and implementation by VPN providers and operating systems.

The identification of vulnerabilities in even well-established protocols like OpenVPN highlights the constant need for vigilance and security audits in VPN technologies. While WireGuard offers significant performance advantages, its design choices regarding logging and obfuscation reflect a trade-off that might not suit all users, particularly those with strong privacy or anti-censorship needs. Although IKEv2 is generally robust, the emergence of implementation-specific vulnerabilities in products from major vendors underscores the importance of staying informed about security advisories and applying necessary patches.

Table 1: Comparison of Common VPN Protocols (2025)

Protocol Name	Key Features	Known Vulnerabilities/Weaknesses in 2025	Encryption Strength	UDP/TCP Support	Suitability for Different Use Cases
OpenVPN	Open-source, highly configurable, mature	CVE-2024-5594 (data injection), CVE-2025-2704 (DoS)	Strong (e.g., AES)	Both	High security, bypassing censorship, general use
WireGuard	Very fast, modern cryptography, minimal codebase	Privacy logging by default, lack of built-in obfuscation, primarily UDP	Strong (ChaCha20)	Primarily UDP	High speed, streaming, gaming
IKEv2/IPsec	Fast, stable on mobile, built-in to many OS	Implementation-specific vulnerabilities (e.g., Cisco DoS, Windows RRAS RCE)	Strong (e.g., AES)	Both	Mobile use, general security

D. Risks Associated with VPN Server Infrastructure

Misconfigurations and Weak Credentials: A significant vulnerability in VPN security stems from misconfigured VPN servers, which can inadvertently expose organizations to unauthorized access and enable attackers to conduct anonymous attacks. This includes issues like allowing unauthenticated tunneling traffic or failing to properly secure management interfaces. Furthermore, the use of weak or default passwords for VPN accounts remains a critical risk, as these can be easily compromised through brute-force attacks or by leveraging credentials found in data breaches. Stolen credentials continue to be a leading initial attack vector for ransomware, and VPNs are frequently targeted using these compromised accounts to gain access to internal networks.

Unpatched Software and Known CVEs: Running VPN server software with known, unpatched vulnerabilities (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures – CVEs) is a major security lapse that threat actors actively exploit. Even years after their disclosure, older VPN vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2018-13379 and CVE-2022-40684 affecting Fortinet products, continue to be leveraged by attackers to achieve credential theft and gain complete administrative control over VPN infrastructure. In February 2025, CISA and the FBI issued an advisory regarding the “Ghost” ransomware, which exploits the CVE-2022-40684 vulnerability in unpatched internet-facing servers, impacting organizations across various critical sectors globally.

Supply Chain Attacks Targeting VPN Providers: The security of VPN users is also at risk from supply chain attacks that target VPN providers themselves. In such attacks, threat actors compromise the VPN provider’s infrastructure or software development processes to inject malicious code, such as malware or backdoors, into the VPN client software that users download and install. A notable example from January 2025 involved the ‘PlushDaemon APT’ targeting the South Korean VPN provider IPany. The attackers compromised the installation files of IPany’s client software, embedding a backdoor to spy on users’ activities and potentially introduce further malware. This highlights the critical importance of VPN providers implementing robust security measures throughout their development and distribution pipelines.

Vulnerabilities in Cloud-Based VPN Infrastructure: With the increasing trend of organizations utilizing cloud providers for their VPN infrastructure, new security challenges arise. These include the risks of misconfiguring cloud-based VPN servers, managing access controls in the cloud environment, and ensuring the security of credentials used to access cloud services. Reports indicate a rise in cloud intrusions often stemming from weak credentials and misconfigurations, emphasizing the need for organizations to apply the same level of rigor to securing their cloud-based VPN infrastructure as they do to their on-premises systems.

The persistent issues of misconfigurations and the failure to apply timely security patches to VPN server infrastructure highlight a significant area of concern. These oversights provide attackers with easy pathways to compromise VPNs and gain access to protected networks. The continued exploitation of even older, well-documented vulnerabilities indicates a need for improved asset management and vulnerability management practices. The risk of supply chain attacks against VPN providers demonstrates that users must also consider the security posture of their chosen VPN service. Finally, the shift towards cloud-based VPN infrastructure introduces a new set of security considerations that organizations must address to maintain the integrity and confidentiality of their remote access solutions.

E. Impact of Advanced Network Surveillance and Emerging Technologies

Advancements in Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technologies are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning enhancing their ability to analyze network traffic. These advancements could potentially be used to identify and block VPN traffic more effectively by analyzing traffic patterns and characteristics associated with VPN protocols. Furthermore, the development of Encrypted Traffic Intelligence (ETI) aims to analyze encrypted traffic without the need for decryption, potentially posing a threat to the privacy afforded by VPNs. While current encryption protocols like TLS 1.3 present challenges for traditional DPI methods, ongoing research and development are focused on overcoming these limitations to improve network visibility and security.

Government-Mandated Backdoors and Surveillance: The tension between national security interests and the right to privacy is likely to continue to impact VPN security in 2025. There is a potential for governments to mandate the inclusion of “backdoors” in VPN software or to exert pressure on VPN providers to hand over user data, even in cases where providers claim to adhere to “no log” policies. Examples from countries like Australia, with its Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment (Assistance and Access) Act (TOLA) or ‘AA’ Act, and the UK, where there have been clashes with tech companies over encrypted data, illustrate the ongoing challenges to VPN privacy from government surveillance efforts. The broader trend of increasing internet surveillance by both governmental agencies and corporations further underscores the importance of VPNs as a tool for individuals seeking to protect their online activities.

The Threat of Quantum Computing: While still in the developmental stages, quantum computing poses a long-term threat to the security of current encryption algorithms used by VPNs. Once quantum computers become sufficiently powerful, they could potentially break the complex mathematical problems that underpin modern encryption methods in a matter of seconds. Recognizing this future risk, some VPN providers are already taking proactive steps to implement post-quantum encryption (PQE) algorithms alongside traditional encryption to prepare for this eventuality. There is also a concern that threat actors might be currently archiving encrypted data, including VPN traffic, with the intention of decrypting it at a later date when quantum computing capabilities mature.

Increased Internet Surveillance and Data Collection: The overall trend of internet surveillance and data collection by governments, ISPs, and corporations is expected to continue and possibly intensify in 2025. Various methods are employed, ranging from governments secretly accessing devices and ISPs monitoring online activity to companies using tracking cookies and targeted advertising to collect user data. In this environment, VPNs serve as a crucial tool for individuals seeking to minimize their digital footprint, encrypt their communications, and protect their personal information from being collected and analyzed.

The advancements in network surveillance technologies like DPI and ETI present an ongoing challenge to the privacy promises of VPNs. While VPNs encrypt the content of internet traffic, the ability to analyze traffic patterns could potentially reveal information about VPN usage and user behavior. The increasing pressure from governments to gain access to encrypted communications poses a direct threat to the effectiveness of VPNs in ensuring user privacy. Although the threat from quantum computing is still some years away, its potential to render current encryption obsolete necessitates a proactive approach, with VPN providers starting to adopt quantum-resistant cryptography. The broader context of increasing internet surveillance underscores the continued importance of VPNs as a tool for individuals seeking to maintain some level of online privacy and security.

Table 2: Recent VPN Vulnerabilities and Advisories (April 2025)

CVE ID	Affected Product and Versions	Severity	Type of Vulnerability	Date Disclosed
CVE-2025-22457	Ivanti Connect Secure 22.7R2.5 and prior, Pulse Connect Secure 9.1x, Ivanti Policy Secure before 22.7R1.4, ZTA Gateways before 22.8R2.2	Critical	Remote Code Execution (Stack-Based Buffer Overflow)	April 3, 2025
CVE-2025-2704	OpenVPN 2.6.1 through 2.6.13 (server mode, TLS-crypt-v2)	High	Denial of Service	April 2, 2025
CVE-2025-20212	Cisco Meraki MX and Z Series devices (AnyConnect VPN server)	High	Denial of Service (Variable Not Initialized)	April 2, 2025

IV. Mitigation Strategies and Recommendations

• For Organizations:
  • Implement Zero Trust Architecture: Organizations should consider transitioning from traditional VPNs, which operate on a perimeter-based security model, to a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) framework. ZTNA operates on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” enforcing strict access controls and continuous authentication for every user and device attempting to access network resources, regardless of their location.
  • Enforce Strong Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Implementing MFA for all VPN access is crucial to significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access resulting from compromised credentials. MFA requires users to provide at least two forms of verification before granting access, making it much harder for attackers to gain entry even if they have obtained a valid username and password.
  • Prioritize Timely Patch Management: Establishing and adhering to a rigorous patch management process for all VPN appliances and server software is essential for addressing known vulnerabilities promptly. Organizations should regularly monitor vendor security advisories and apply updates as soon as they are available to close potential security gaps.
  • Conduct Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments: Proactive security measures include conducting periodic security audits and vulnerability assessments of the entire VPN infrastructure and its configurations. These assessments can help identify potential weaknesses, misconfigurations, and outdated software that could be exploited by attackers.
  • Implement Continuous Attack Surface Monitoring: Organizations should implement continuous monitoring of their external attack surface to detect any exposed VPN login panels, management interfaces, or other potential entry points that could be targeted by malicious actors. Early detection of such exposures allows for timely remediation to prevent potential breaches.
  • Strengthen Supply Chain Security: Given the risk of supply chain attacks, organizations should exercise due diligence when selecting and managing third-party VPN providers. This includes assessing the provider’s security practices, certifications, and track record in handling security incidents.
  • Educate Employees on Social Engineering and Phishing Tactics: Comprehensive security awareness training for employees is vital to educate them about the risks of AI-powered phishing and social engineering attacks that target VPN credentials. Training should cover how to identify suspicious emails, messages, and websites, and emphasize the importance of not divulging VPN credentials or other sensitive information.
  • Implement Robust Logging and Monitoring of VPN Activity: Organizations should implement comprehensive logging and monitoring of all VPN activity to detect and respond to any suspicious or anomalous behavior that might indicate a security breach or an attempted attack.
  • Consider Managed Security Services: For organizations with limited internal security resources or expertise, engaging with Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) can provide valuable support in managing and monitoring VPN security, as well as responding to potential threats.
• For Individuals:
  • Choose Reputable VPN Providers: Individuals should select VPN providers with a strong reputation for security and privacy. Opting for providers that have independently audited no-logs policies can offer greater assurance regarding the privacy of their online activities.
  • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): If the VPN provider offers MFA for user accounts, individuals should enable this security feature to add an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access.
  • Keep VPN Client Software Up-to-Date: Regularly updating the VPN client software on all devices is crucial for ensuring that any known security vulnerabilities are patched and that users benefit from the latest security features.
  • Be Vigilant Against Phishing and Social Engineering: Individuals should exercise caution and be wary of any unsolicited emails, messages, or websites that request their VPN credentials or other personal information.
  • Consider Using VPNs with Obfuscation Features: For individuals operating in regions with strict internet censorship, using VPNs that offer traffic obfuscation features can help to disguise VPN usage and potentially bypass censorship measures.
  • Explore VPNs with Post-Quantum Encryption: For users concerned about the long-term security of their data, considering VPN providers that are implementing post-quantum encryption algorithms might be a prudent choice.
  • Disable WebRTC: To prevent potential IP address leaks while using a VPN, individuals might consider disabling WebRTC in their web browsers.

V. Conclusion

The cybersecurity landscape in 2025 presents a complex and evolving set of threats targeting VPN technologies. The predicted top 5 vulnerabilities—the exploitation of VPN perimeter devices, AI-powered attacks, protocol-specific weaknesses, risks associated with VPN server infrastructure, and the impact of advanced network surveillance—underscore the need for both organizations and individuals to adopt a proactive and multi-layered approach to VPN security. The increasing sophistication of cyber threat actors, driven by the weaponization of AI and the persistent efforts of nation-state actors, necessitates a heightened state of vigilance and the implementation of robust security measures. By understanding these potential vulnerabilities and implementing the recommended mitigation strategies, organizations and individuals can significantly enhance their resilience against the evolving threats targeting VPNs in 2025 and beyond. The VPN landscape will continue to evolve, and ongoing vigilance and adaptation will be critical in maintaining secure and private online experiences.