Remote Desktop Security: Top Vulnerabilities And How To Secure Your RDP

As cyber threats evolve and become more sophisticated, remote desktop protocols (RDP) remain a key point of exploitation, with an alarming 90% of cyberattacks targeting these systems. This overwhelming statistic underscores the urgent need for advanced security strategies to protect against both external threats and internal vulnerabilities.

The good news is that approximately 68% of data breaches involve a human element, meaning they’re preventable with the right knowledge and preparation. 

This article not only outlines the current challenges but also delivers essential strategies and best practices.

Read on for the latest IT security insights and best practices for securing your RDP operations, preventing unauthorized access, and secure your organization's digital assets against the evolving landscape of cyber threats.

What is remote desktop protocol (RDP)?

The official definition of remote desktop protocol (RDP) is a set of rules (i.e., a protocol) developed by Microsoft that allows one computer to connect to another via a network connection.

With RDP, users can remotely interact with the target system’s screen, inputs, and files in real-time. This makes RDP an excellent tool for:

• Remote administration of multiple servers and workstations, reducing the need for on-site visits
• Accessing virtual desktops as a student or employee provides a centralized access point for applications or data
• Technical support to diagnose problems and provide hands-on assistance without being physically present

With RDP or a similar remote access software in place, organizations unlock new efficiencies necessary to operate in today’s era of hybrid and remote workers.

Is RDP secure? Top vulnerabilities

Malicious actors can use RDP (or, rather, misuse it) like any tool. To ensure remote access security, watch for the following common attack vectors. 

Weak authentication and unauthorized access

Default or easily guessed passwords are a common entry point for cyberattacks. RDP sign-ins use Windows credentials, which often lack stringent password requirements. Without additional security, a single compromised password could expose the entire network to a breach.

Brute-force attacks

Whereas MITM relies on deception, brute-force attacks take a more direct approach by systematically guessing password combinations. RDP is especially vulnerable to brute-force attacks because it’s commonly used and runs on well-known port numbers. 

Common indicators of brute force attempts include:

• Multiple failed login attempts from the same IP address
• Login attempts using common username and password combinations
• Suspicious activity outside of business hours

Unpatched systems

Running outdated versions of RDP or the underlying operating systems can leave systems open to known exploits. Cybercriminals actively target these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or deploy malware. Ensuring all software is regularly updated and patched is crucial to closing these entry points.

Man-in-the-middle attacks

Another common strategy is intercepting communications between the user and the remote computer, otherwise known as a man-in-the-middle (MITM) attack. This enables cybercriminals to capture sensitive data like login credentials or other confidential information displayed on the remote desktop.

Malware and ransomware

Once attackers gain access through RDP servers, they often use their newly acquired administrative privileges to deploy malicious software across the network. A common tactic is to install ransomware, which encrypts critical data and demands a ransom for its release. 

This attack is particularly devastating, as it can slow operations by denying access to essential files. Furthermore, the cost of regaining access can be steep.

Data leakage

A lack of airtight security measures can result in data leakage—the unauthorized release of sensitive or confidential information. While most commonly a result of human error, bad actors can leverage RDP to scoop up these leaks to their advantage, whether by an intercepted screen share, file share, or other means.

For large organizations, data leakage can be a ticking time bomb. Loss of intellectual property, customer information, or other sensitive data can erode competitive advantage and, at worst, lead to regulatory fines and shattered client trust.

Lack of monitoring

Without proper monitoring and logging, detecting unauthorized RDP access is not just challenging—it can be catastrophic. Inadequate monitoring allows cybercriminals to operate undetected, moving laterally within your network and escalating their privileges without immediate consequence. This silent infiltration can lead to extensive data breaches, prolonged system compromises, and significant financial and reputational damage.

Implementing comprehensive logging and real-time alerts is essential for maintaining RDP security. These measures ensure that suspicious activities are promptly identified and addressed before they escalate into major breaches, safeguarding your organization's digital assets against persistent and evolving threats.

Best practices for remote desktop security

Given the many risks of remote access, IT professionals always need to stay one step ahead. How can they do so? 
Consider the following actionable steps to ensure maximum RDP protection. 

Use strong authentication methods

A secure digital environment starts with strong authentication. Besides incorporating a policy of strong passwords (and not reusing passwords) as a first line of defense, aim to reduce the risk of unauthorized access through: 

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA): Also known as two-factor authentication. It requires multiple verifications to identify a remote user, from app-generated codes to biometrics and facial recognition.
• Certificate-based authentication: This method identifies users through a unique digital signature, similar to a passport, to prevent unauthorized access.
• Token-based authentication: Provides verified users a string of random characters that act as a passkey to restricted files.

Whatever authentication system you use, the key is to reduce reliance on easily exploited passwords.

Implement endpoint security

While preventing unauthorized access as early as possible is ideal, securing your RDP endpoints is also crucial. Ensure antivirus and anti-malware tools are installed on the remote server and client devices. Equally important is keeping software patched and updated, closing vulnerabilities attackers might otherwise exploit. 

Secure communication channels

To protect against MITM and other hidden dangers, ensure all client and server communications are protected from interception. A virtual private network (VPN) can create encrypted “tunnels” for RDP sessions, safeguarding data from unauthorized eavesdropping during transit.

Control access

By default, RDP admin privileges offer essentially complete system access. Should IT grow lax in granting these permissions, many devices can access restricted files, thus giving attackers a wider surface area to draw on.

Instead, IT can incorporate role-based access control (RBAC), which operates on the principle of least privilege. Essentially, that means restricting RDP access to only those who absolutely need it and revoking access once they’ve completed their necessary task. 

Further access control features to implement might include:

• IP safe listing, ensuring only trusted devices can connect to the RDP port
• Just-in-time access, where RDP ports open when needed and close afterward
• Firewall configurations that limit access to the RDP port 

Monitor and log activity

Diligent monitoring can spot potential attempts at unauthorized access, allowing you to mitigate remote desktop threats before they escalate. Best practices include:

• Monitoring remote desktop sessions for suspicious activities
  
• Setting up logging systems to track failed login or authentication attempts
  
• Responding promptly to security incidents
  
• Periodically review and assess the effectiveness of monitoring systems to identify and address gaps
  

Regularly update and patch your RDP

The window between a patch release and deployment represents an opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit known security flaws. To prevent that, ensure all remote desktop management software is updated and always running on the latest version. Specialized patch management solutions and scheduled updates can help streamline these processes.

Configure network-level authentication (NLA)

NLA adds another layer of protection by requiring users to authenticate before an RDP session starts. You might also consider implementing additional measures like session timeouts, which automatically disconnects idle sessions to reduce the chances of hijacking.

Create a security policy

A well-defined security policy—complete with best practices, user responsibilities, and procedures—is central to a secure RDP configuration. Such a comprehensive policy includes:

• User training and awareness to educate about RDP security risks and best practices
• An incident response plan includes threat containment, eradication, and recovery steps
• Regular audits and assessments to identify RDP vulnerabilities and determine the effectiveness of your security measures

By establishing clear guidelines for RDP usage, you ensure consistent implementation and keep security top-of-mind for your entire team.

Emerging technologies in remote desktop security

Staying informed of emerging practices is essential to staying ahead of malicious actors. Here are a few cutting-edge approaches for organizations seeking to enhance remote desktop security.

Zero-trust architecture

“Never trust, always verify.” That’s the operating principle of ZTA, a security model that minimizes attack surfaces and prevents lateral network movements.

While traditional models assume everything within the network is trustworthy, ZTA believes the opposite, requiring authentication regardless of who is asking or where they’re connecting from.

While ZTA can be a powerful security tool, it also requires:

• Strong identity verification or MFA for all users
• Properly segmented assets and data
• Monitoring of traffic and access attempts

Behavioral analytics and AI

AI is central in the cybersecurity arms race, allowing you to adopt a proactive rather than reactive approach. 

These technologies analyze user behavior and patterns to: 

• Detect anomalies that may indicate a security threat
  
• Reduce false positives compared to rule-based systems
  
• Identify subtle deviations that traditional measures might miss
  

Effective deployment of AI tools hinges on establishing appropriate baseline behavior. This can involve integrating existing security information and event management (SIEM) systems and regularly refining the AI as needed.

Advanced threat detection and response

Advanced threat detection and response (ADTR) is not one but a suite of security tools and strategies. Leveraging machine learning, behavioral analysis, and automated responses, ATDR can integrate with secure remote desktop software to neutralize threats before they cause serious damage.

Learn more about keeping your organization secure with our remote desktop software

It’s safe to say that the benefits of remote desktop software outweigh the risks—if you take the right security precautions. 

As far as remote access solutions, RDP is a great choice, but it often lacks features you might expect, especially regarding security.

Rather than retrofit your tech stack around a legacy system, why not explore a modern remote desktop software solution? ScreenConnect offers built-in brute-force attack prevention, session logging and monitoring, and granular user permissions to minimize the risk of unauthorized access and deliver your IT team peace of mind.

Learn how ScreenConnect can help your team with remote desktop security.