How Automation and Vulnerability Exploitation Are Fueling a New Wave of Ransomware Breaches

If you’re feeling uneasy about the relentless pace of ransomware attacks, you’re not alone. In 2025, cybercriminals have leveled up—merging automation with rapid-fire exploitation of software vulnerabilities. This lethal combo has enabled ransomware crews to shatter records, leaving security teams scrambling. But why is this happening now, and what does it mean for organizations—big and small—on the front lines?

Let’s break down how automation and vulnerability exploitation are transforming the ransomware landscape, spotlight the groups leading the charge, and, most importantly, arm you with insights to defend against this evolving threat.

Ransomware’s Dangerous New Superpower: Automated Vulnerability Exploitation

To understand the current ransomware surge, let’s get clear on two key ingredients:

Automation: Think of this as the cybercriminal’s version of a high-speed assembly line. Instead of building cars, it scans the internet for exposed systems, launches attacks, and even spreads malware—all at machine speed.
Vulnerability Exploitation: Hackers don’t waste time guessing passwords. They target unpatched software flaws (known as CVEs) to break in, often within hours or days after a vulnerability is disclosed.

Combine these two, and you get a cybercrime juggernaut. Automation lets attackers exploit thousands of targets simultaneously, while new vulnerabilities provide fresh openings almost weekly.

Here’s why that matters: Traditional defenses—firewalls, antivirus, and even diligent patching—struggle to keep up when adversaries can pounce on weaknesses faster than most IT teams can fix them.

Meet the Ransomware Groups Thriving in 2025

Several ransomware-as-a-service (RaaS) groups have mastered this automated approach, according to ReliaQuest’s recent threat intelligence analysis. Let’s spotlight the key players and their favorite targets.

Qilin: Capitalizing on Fortinet Vulnerabilities

CVE-2024-55591 & CVE-2024-21762: These Fortinet bugs became Qilin’s golden ticket. Even a month after patches were released, over 150,000 devices were still vulnerable, giving Qilin a massive attack surface.
Result: Qilin rocketed to the top ransomware spot in Q2 2025, with an 80% jump in victims.

Akira: Exploiting SonicWall and Cisco Weaknesses

CVE-2024-40766 (SonicWall) & CVE-2023-20269 (Cisco): Akira automated the hunt for these bugs, targeting organizations slow to patch their firewalls and VPNs.

Clop: Zero-Day Mayhem in Managed File Transfers

CVE-2024-50623 (Cleo) & CVE-2023-34362 (MoveIT): Clop built their reputation exploiting zero-days in file transfer systems, often used by hospitals, governments, and enterprises.

RansomHub: The Rising Powerhouse

Chained Exploits in SimpleHelp (CVE-2024-57726, CVE-2024-57727, CVE-2024-57728): By stringing together multiple vulnerabilities, RansomHub’s affiliates—including notorious Scattered Spider actors—pulled off sophisticated breaches.
Other Targets: Fortinet (CVE-2023-27997) and Apache OpenWire (CVE-2023-46604).

DragonForce: The Silent Surge

115% Increase in Victims: While not as publicized, DragonForce’s use of mass exploitation has pushed their victim count to new highs.

Key Insight: Many of these groups are not household names—yet. Their success comes from speed and scale, not brand recognition.

The Hidden Threat: Unmanaged and Unknown Assets

Why do so many organizations remain vulnerable, even after patches are released? The answer often lurks in the shadows: unknown, unmanaged, or poorly understood assets.

Think about it: organizations accumulate technology over years—some of it forgotten, others inherited through mergers, or set up in a hurry during a crisis. These “shadow IT” assets are:

Hard to find and track
Rarely prioritized for patching
Often overlooked by security teams

Result: Even with a robust patch program, these hidden systems can remain exposed for weeks—plenty of time for ransomware groups to strike.

How Automation Supercharges Mass Exploitation

Let’s walk through a typical attack scenario:

Automated Scanning: Attackers deploy bots that continuously sweep the internet for systems with specific, unpatched vulnerabilities (think Shodan, but for criminals).
Instant Exploitation: As soon as a target is found, automation scripts launch ready-made exploits—no human intervention required.
Payload Delivery: Ransomware is dropped, encrypts files, and displays its ransom note—sometimes within minutes of exploitation.
Rapid Movement: The same tools are reused, at scale, against thousands of potential victims in parallel.

Why is this so effective? Because automation removes human bottlenecks. Attackers don’t need to manually probe every target—the machines do it for them, 24/7.

The Shrinking Window: From Vulnerability Disclosure to Exploitation

Here’s a sobering reality: the gap between a vulnerability being announced and mass exploitation is now measured in days, sometimes hours.

Example: When Fortinet patched CVE-2024-21762, security researchers still found over 150,000 devices vulnerable a month later. That’s more than enough time for mass exploitation campaigns.
Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Code: As soon as a new exploit is published, it’s weaponized by ransomware groups. Automation ensures instant deployment.

Here’s why that’s dangerous: Security teams are racing against the clock. Once a critical vulnerability is disclosed, the countdown starts—patch or be breached.

AI: The Next Frontier in Ransomware Automation

If you think automation is scary, consider what happens when you add artificial intelligence (AI) to the mix.

Why AI Supercharges Threats

The UK National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), in its threat outlook, warns that AI will:

Accelerate vulnerability discovery: AI can analyze vast codebases, spotting new flaws faster than ever before.
Enhance exploit development: Automated tools can craft new attacks and adapt them on the fly.
Increase attack frequency and sophistication: The time between disclosure and exploitation shrinks even further.

Implication: Defenders may soon have even less time to react. Critical infrastructure, supply chains, and operational technology (OT) are particularly at risk, given their complex, sprawling environments.

Phishing Still Packs a Punch: Not All Attacks Begin with Exploits

It’s easy to focus on vulnerabilities, but ransomware groups still love phishing. In fact, KnowBe4 reports a 58% increase in ransomware delivered via phishing between November 2024 and February 2025 compared to the previous quarter.

Why does phishing work?

Humans are the weakest link: No patch can fix a momentary lapse in judgment.
Credentials and access: Phishing often delivers the keys to the kingdom—no need to wait for a vulnerability.

Takeaway: A layered defense is essential. Vulnerability management and user awareness training must go hand in hand.

Defending Against Mass Exploitation: What Organizations Can Do

Feeling overwhelmed? Here’s the good news: While attackers are getting faster, defenders have tools and strategies that work—if deployed wisely.

1. Continuous Asset Discovery

Don’t protect what you can’t see. Use automated discovery tools to inventory all connected assets—including shadow IT and legacy systems.

2. Prioritized Patch Management

Focus on high-impact vulnerabilities: Patch the most critical flaws first, especially those being actively exploited.
Leverage threat intelligence: Subscribe to feeds that flag which vulnerabilities are under attack right now.

3. Reduce Exposure

Network segmentation: Limit how much damage a compromised device can cause.
Restrict remote access: Disable unused services and require multifactor authentication (MFA).

4. Incident Response Readiness

Practice regular tabletop exercises: Simulate ransomware attacks so everyone knows their role.
Backup, backup, backup: Ensure you have secure, offline backups of critical data.

5. User Awareness and Training

Educate employees: Regular training helps users spot phishing and social engineering attempts.
Test with simulated attacks: Phishing simulations can reveal where more training is needed.

Why Speed—and Visibility—Are Your Best Defense

If there’s one major theme in today’s ransomware crisis, it’s speed. Attackers move fast, but so can defenders—if they have visibility into their environments and a plan for rapid response.

Here’s the challenge: You may have only days (sometimes hours) between a vulnerability disclosure and an active attack. Automation and AI will likely shorten that window even more.

That’s why asset discovery, real-time vulnerability scanning, and prioritized patching aren’t just security best practices—they’re survival necessities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: What is automated vulnerability exploitation in ransomware attacks?
A: It’s the use of bots and scripts to scan for, find, and exploit unpatched software vulnerabilities at massive scale—often within hours after a new flaw is announced. This allows ransomware groups to breach thousands of targets rapidly with minimal human effort.

Q: Which ransomware groups are using automated exploitation tactics?
A: In 2025, groups like Qilin, Akira, Clop, RansomHub, and DragonForce are especially active, targeting vulnerabilities in Fortinet, SonicWall, Cisco, Cleo, MoveIT, and more.

Q: How can organizations defend against mass ransomware breaches?
A: Prioritize continuous asset discovery, rapid patch management, network segmentation, strict remote access controls, incident response drills, and robust user training. Pair technical controls with strong security culture.

Q: Will AI make ransomware attacks worse?
A: Likely, yes. AI can accelerate vulnerability discovery, automate exploit creation, and adapt attacks on the fly, decreasing the time defenders have to react. Experts warn that the frequency and sophistication of attacks will increase as AI adoption grows among threat actors.

Q: Why are unpatched systems still common targets, even after patches are released?
A: Many organizations struggle with unknown or unmanaged assets—systems that are hard to track, discover, or patch. Attackers specifically seek out these “shadow IT” assets because they often remain exposed long after official patches are available.

Final Thoughts: Stay Proactive—And Stay Informed

The fusion of automation and vulnerability exploitation has ushered in a more dangerous era of ransomware. Attackers aren’t just getting smarter—they’re moving faster, scaling their attacks with technology that outpaces traditional defenses.

But knowledge is power. If you understand how these attacks work, where you’re vulnerable, and what tools are at your disposal, you can tip the balance back in your favor.

Ready to dig deeper? Subscribe to our updates for the latest threat intelligence, actionable security tips, and insights into fighting back against ransomware’s evolving playbook. Stay ahead—because in cybersecurity, speed and awareness aren’t just advantages—they’re necessities.

For further reading on vulnerability management and ransomware trends, check out resources from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), ReliaQuest, and KnowBe4.

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How Automation and Vulnerability Exploitation Are Fueling a New Wave of Ransomware Breaches

Ransomware’s Dangerous New Superpower: Automated Vulnerability Exploitation

Meet the Ransomware Groups Thriving in 2025

Qilin: Capitalizing on Fortinet Vulnerabilities

Akira: Exploiting SonicWall and Cisco Weaknesses