Ransomware has evolved. It’s no longer just about phishing emails or suspicious attachments. In 2024, ransomware actors are exploiting software vulnerabilities fast and at scale. According to data compiled from Microsoft, Sophos, CrowdStrike, and Verizon, 32% of ransomware attacks now begin by exploiting unpatched vulnerabilities. These attacks often bypass traditional endpoint defenses, disable backups, and cripple entire organizations before detection.
So what can security teams actually do to get ahead?
In this article I will attempt to outline the growing challenges organizations face with ransomware today and how we at Vicarius can help teams defend against attacks before they happen, and recover quickly if they do.
The New Ransomware Reality
Ransomware in 2024 is faster, smarter, and increasingly exploiting vulnerabilities rather than relying on users making mistakes. Here are some of the key trends reshaping the threat landscape:
- Unpatched vulnerabilities are the #1 access method: Attackers exploit known CVEs, often within 24–48 hours of disclosure, leaving little room for delay
- Backups are a primary target: 75% of orgs hit through vulnerabilities had their backups encrypted or deleted
- Living-off-the-land (LOTL) techniques evade detection: Attackers use built-in OS tools like PowerShell or DLL sideloading, avoiding malware signature
- Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is booming: Access brokers now sell vulnerabilities to ransomware operators, increasing attack scale and frequency
- High-risk sectors are in the crosshairs: Government, healthcare, and energy are top targets due to legacy systems and SCADA/ICS exposure
This is a scale and speed problem, and most organizations aren’t prepared.
Why Traditional Defenses Fail
Modern ransomware attacks often bypass traditional defenses like antivirus and phishing detection not because they don’t use payloads, but because they exploit vulnerabilities directly and deliver those payloads in stealthy, non-traditional ways. These attacks usually begin with a known CVE being disclosed and quickly weaponized by attackers, often within 24–48 hours. Once the exploit code is ready, it targets unpatched systems and delivers an initial payload, commonly using fileless methods like PowerShell, DLL sideloading, or Living-off-the-Land Binaries (LOLBins).
The attack chain looks like this:
This method allows attackers to bypass user interaction, avoid signature-based defenses, and strike fast often before organizations have time to patch.
How Vicarius Helps: Prevention, Detection, and Recovery
Vicarius’ vRx platform is designed to break the ransomware kill chain. Here’s how
1. Prioritize and Remediate Fast with AI
vRx leverages AI to automatically prioritize vulnerabilities based on real-world exploitability and context within your environment. No more chasing irrelevant CVEs.
- Prioritization uses threat intelligence, asset value, and exposure score
- Automation deploys patches or mitigation scripts immediately
- Supports OS and third-party software across Windows, macOS, and Linux
Impact: Reduces time-to-remediate from weeks to hours before ransomware groups can exploit it.
2. Virtual Patching to Buy Time
When a patch isn’t available or can’t be applied quickly (due to downtime risks or maintenance windows), Vicarius enables virtual patching at the host or memory level.
- Blocks exploitation attempts using in-memory or host-based protections
- Stops attacks even without the vendor’s official patch
- Example: Block CVE-2023-34362 (MOVEit) before patch was released
Impact: Acts as a proactive shield, limiting exposure from zero-days or delayed patch cycles.
3. Scriptable Remediation, Before and After an Attack
Using Vicarius’ Power of Scripting, teams can pre-deploy hardening scripts (disable macros, restrict LOLBins), and respond post-incident by isolating compromised endpoints or resetting registry keys.
- Run customizable scripts across thousands of machines
- Automate incident response playbooks
- Tight integration with endpoint tools and asset management
Impact: Enables scalable, precise response at the speed ransomware demands.
4. Community + AI: The vSociety Advantage
Vicarius created vSociety, a community-driven platform where security researchers and users share remediation content and intelligence.
- Receive early warnings on emerging threats
- Crowdsource hardening scripts and virtual patch worklets
- AI-enhanced suggestions based on your environment
Impact: Turns collective intelligence into immediate defensive action.
5. Resilient Recovery via Real-Time Visibility
Vicarius tracks asset state, vulnerability status, and patch level in real-time. During or after a ransomware incident, teams get a full view of what’s compromised, what’s patched, and what’s still at risk.
- Map vulnerable assets against known exploited CVEs
- Monitor remediation progress
- Audit pre- and post-attack posture
Impact: Speeds up investigation and hardens systems to prevent re-entry.
What to Do Now: A 3-Step Action Plan
Here’s how organizations can start using Vicarius to reduce ransomware risk today.
1. Scan and Prioritize Your Exposure
Use Vicarius to map your software stack and identify what’s vulnerable. Focus on what’s weaponized or trending among ransomware groups (e.g., CVE-2023-4863, CVE-2024-21413).
2. Remediate at Scale Automatically
Apply patches where possible, and deploy virtual patching or hardening scripts where it’s not. Use automation to reduce manual workload.
3. Prepare for Recovery Before You Need It
Define and test incident response playbooks in Vicarius. Pre-build actions restore critical apps, or roll back recent changes with scripting.
The Bottom Line
Ransomware isn’t going away. If anything, it’s becoming the default tool of choice for attackers thanks to faster exploits, cloud targets, and an expanding vulnerability surface.
But with the right tools and strategy, organizations don’t have to wait to be victims.
Vicarius provides a modern, scalable platform to prevent ransomware attacks through proactive automated vulnerability remediation, and a rapid, intelligent response if attackers get in.
Ransomware is a race against time. Vicarius helps you win it.
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