Remote Desktop Protocol password brute-force attacks
Work-from-home conditions have become increasingly prevalent since the pandemic. This shift in working arrangements has made remote desktop applications and VPNs essential tools for accessing enterprise resources within corporate networks.
What is Remote Desktop Protocol?
Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) facilitates remote access to Windows machines. To access a machine remotely, a user must be connected to the network the machine is in. The port that is commonly used for RDP connection is 3389. Other ports can also be configured to invoke RDP.
Unfortunately, with the increased use of RDP comes higher risks. Even simple brute-force attacks are fairly successful at hacking into RDP-enabled machines.
Why do hackers prefer RDP attacks?
What are RDP brute-force attacks?
With the help of network scanners like Masscan, hackers can find the TCP and IP port ranges that are used in RDP servers in a matter of minutes. The hacker can then track one of them down and try to gain access to the machine using brute-force tools, which automatically try a massive number of username and password combinations within a small time interval. The quickest match can be made within two minutes, but on average, the right username-password match is found in a day or two.
How to prevent RDP password brute-force attacks
Increase password length: Lengthy passwords are not easily cracked through brute force.
Increase password complexity: Avoiding patterns, common phrases, and dictionary words in passwords can help make them immune to password attacks.
Restrict login attempts: By setting a threshold for the number of failed login attempts, you can stop the brute-force tool from trying too many combinations of usernames and passwords. After this threshold is reached, the machine should be locked.
Implement CAPTCHA: CAPTCHA can prevent automated bots from attempting to log in. This renders brute-force attacks ineffective, as it is humanly impossible to try out all the possible username-password combinations to find the right pair. Even if they tried, it would take forever.
Configure multi-factor authentication: However strong a password is, it’s still susceptible to phishing attacks. That’s why other factors of authentication, like biometrics, should be implemented to secure logons.
Thwart RDP password attacks with ADSelfService Plus
ADSelfService Plus is an identity security solution that can ensure your organization doesn’t fall prey to password attacks.
- Multi-factor authentication: Secure RDP, machine, and VPN logins with over 20 advanced authentication methods, including biometrics, YubiKey, Google Authenticator, and FIDO passkeys.
- Custom password length: Set minimum and maximum password lengths to avoid brute-force attacks.
- Custom password complexity: Configure password policies with varying complexities for different users, groups, and OUs in Active Directory.
- CAPTCHA settings: Implement CAPTCHA in the admin and user login pages as well as the multi factor authentication pages.
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