Weaponized Convenience: Inside the Rise of Remote Tool Abuse

In an era of remote work and distributed IT environments, remote administration tools (RATs) and remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools have become indispensable for system admins and managed service providers (MSPs). However, the same features that make these tools efficient also make them attractive targets for malicious actors. Advanced threat actors are increasingly leveraging legitimate RATs and RMMs to gain unauthorized access to networks, bypassing traditional security controls and evading detection. This presentation will provide an overview of the growing trend of weaponized remote access. Attendees will be guided through compelling real-world examples, dissecting the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) employed by adversaries to leverage these tools for malicious purposes. Furthermore, actionable insights will be provided, empowering organizations to enhance their detection capabilities and fortify their defenses against such sophisticated attacks. By understanding the evolving threat landscape and implementing effective countermeasures, attendees will be better equipped to safeguard their systems and data from the perils of weaponized remote access.