Imagine this scenario: You’re winding down for the evening, having checked the locks and closed the windows, feeling secure enough to turn in for the night. But you forget to lock your vehicle. Sitting in plain sight on the sun visor is your garage door opener, an otherwise trusted tool now turned into an entry point for a malicious actor to exploit your home’s security.
Now, think of that garage door opener as an RMM (remote monitoring and management) tool. Most of the time, it’s a trusted and indispensable part of your IT operations, deeply embedded into your workflows and environment. But, like the garage opener device, it has the potential to be abused by bad actors, turning it from a helpful tool into a devastating threat vector.
This blog explores how RMM tools operate as both a backbone of IT efficiency and a security risk, outlining the threats organizations face and the essential steps needed to defend against RMM-based attacks.
What Is Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)?
At its core, RMM technology enables IT teams to monitor, manage, and maintain IT devices remotely. By providing centralized oversight, RMM tools improve efficiency with features such as automated patching, remote troubleshooting, real-time system monitoring, and so much more.
You can almost guarantee every organization has at least one RMM tool deployed and most rely on RMM tools for seamless IT operations. However, these same capabilities that are needed to remotely access and control devices make them a hot ticket item for threat actors to leverage during an attack.
Why RMM Tools Are a Rising Security Risk?
The inherent complexities and advanced capabilities of RMM solutions contribute to their exploitability by attackers. Several factors make these tools appealing and easy for threat actors to exploit in pursuit of their financial goals including:
Deeply Embedded into IT Workflows – RMM tools are tightly integrated into IT workflows, enabling administrators to remotely support users through monitoring, management, and troubleshooting of the organization’s computers, servers, and IoT devices.
Remote Administration Capabilities – RMM tools often operate with comprehensive permissions, allowing extensive access to managed systems. Once compromised, this access can be weaponized and allow them to maintain persistent access through lateral movement.
Perceived Legitimacy – RMM tools often possess an inherent legitimacy, making them ideal for enabling stealthy malicious activities or fostering a false sense of trust during social engineering attacks.
Exploitation for Reconnaissance – Threat actors use RMM tools to map networks, identify high-value assets, and launch attacks using stolen credentials. These risks are not hypothetical; many threat actor groups actively exploit RMM tools to execute their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
How Threat Actors Exploit RMM Tools
RMM tools have become a weapon in the arsenal of various threat actor groups. Notorious cybercriminal organizations and Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups, including TrickBot/WIZARD SPIDER, LockBit 3.0, and APT29/COZY BEAR, among others, have abused the tools to achieve their goals. These bad actors often misuse RMM tools through various attack types, including phishing, supply chain attacks, watering hole attacks, brute-force attacks, and lateral movement.
One particular attack utilized a combination of phishing, social engineering, and the exploitation of a RMM tool to infiltrate multiple devices. The breach began with unsolicited chat messages sent via Microsoft Teams from external sources to internal employees. Two employees engaged with the messages, inadvertently granting remote access through Quick Assist, the platform’s built-in remote management software. Once inside, the adversary initiated the download of a zip file containing a malicious DLL. However, before any harm could occur, a Binary Defense SOC analyst promptly responded to an alert from Defender. The analyst swiftly contained the affected systems and executed additional remediation measures to mitigate the threat.
This is a clear example of how the tools we rely on and trust can become harmful when misused or placed in the wrong hands.
What Lies Beyond Initial Access
When attackers abuse a RMM tool to gain initial access to a system, they leverage its powerful features to wreak havoc. They deploy malware and ransomware, disable critical security measures like firewalls, escalate administrative privileges for deeper system control, establish persistent backdoors, and steal sensitive data. While RMM’s remote capabilities provide convenience, they also enhance the scale and efficiency of such attacks, transforming a valuable tool into a potent weapon.
Key Vulnerabilities to Consider
RMM-based attacks often succeed because organizations overlook key vulnerabilities, including:
Unpatched Software – Failure to update software leaves exploitable weaknesses in place.
Weak Authentication – Weak passwords or a lack of multi-factor authentication (MFA) allow easy access to accounts.
Misconfigurations – Improperly configured security tools can leave open doors for attackers.
Zero-Day Vulnerabilities – Unaddressed flaws are a goldmine for threat actors.
Privilege Escalation Flaws – Over-permissioned accounts widen an attacker’s scope of control and enable lateral movement once entry is gained.
How to Defend Against RMM-Based Attacks
Securing RMM tools against abuse requires a proactive, multi-layered approach. Targeted strategies can be combined to safeguard your organization and stay ahead of these threats.
Maintain Strong Security Hygiene – Regularly patch RMM software and all associated systems. Implement MFA to add another layer of account security.
Leverage Security Features Offered by RMM Tools – Apply least privilege access controls to ensure users only have the necessary permissions. Continuously monitor user activity and maintain detailed logs.
Conduct Regular Security Assessments – Regularly test RMM configurations for vulnerabilities. Follow established best practices for secure usage.
Network Access Segmentation – Restrict RMM platform access to authorized personnel only. Segment the network to isolate critical systems, minimizing lateral movement during a breach.
Monitor Network Traffic for Threat Indicators – Use tools to analyze network activity for abnormal behavior or signs of unauthorized access.
Implement User Activity Monitoring (UAM) – Track and respond to suspicious login or activity patterns within the RMM platform.
Deploy EDR Solutions – EDR technology can spot and respond to malicious actions happening on endpoints managed by RMM platforms.
The Dual Nature of RMM Tools
RMM tools have become indispensable for IT management, offering unmatched convenience and control. However, their potential for misuse highlights the importance of thoughtful implementation, monitoring, and the ongoing strengthening of defenses.
Threat actors will continue to target these tools, but with the right protections, your organization can stay one step ahead. Partnering with a trusted MDR provider like Binary Defense offers significant advantages, including 24/7 SOC monitoring, a tailored detection strategy, and a multi-layered defense system. Binary Defense’s MDR-Agent, BDVision, leverages advanced detection capabilities such as bypass prevention and deception technology to deliver comprehensive protection. By implementing security measures, continuously monitoring for threats, and incorporating layered defense, organizations can harness the benefits of RMM platforms while minimizing exposure to threat actors.