In the realm of cybersecurity, vulnerabilities can lurk even in technologies that are designed to keep us safe. The recent revelation of the "TunnelCrack" vulnerability has cast a spotlight on the potential security risks associated with Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). TunnelCrack is a combination of two distinct vulnerabilities, namely the LocalNet Attack and the ServerIP Attack, that can be exploited to expose user data and leak traffic outside the protected VPN tunnel.
The LocalNet Attack exploits a routing exception found in many VPNs, which allows users to access devices within their local network while using the VPN. Adversaries can manipulate this feature to trick victims into sending traffic outside the VPN tunnel without encryption. By creating a rogue access point and assigning a similar IP range to the victim's local network, the attacker can make the victim believe that their target website is part of the local network. As a result, the victim's traffic is sent directly outside the VPN tunnel, enabling unauthorized interception.
On the other hand, the ServerIP Attack exploits another routing exception where traffic directed to the VPN server's IP address is not encrypted. By spoofing DNS responses and redirecting traffic, attackers can manipulate victims into sending traffic directly to the server's IP address, bypassing the VPN tunnel. This can lead to data leaks and deanonymization of users visiting websites that initiate requests to the VPN server's IP address.
Fortunately, not all VPN providers are equally vulnerable to these attacks. Perfect Privacy stands out as a provider that has taken measures to protect its users from the TunnelCrack vulnerabilities. Perfect Privacy's comprehensive security measures include a robust firewall that prevents LocalNet Attacks by allowing packets to flow only through the IP of the highest connected hop. Moreover, Perfect Privacy avoids ServerIP Attacks by connecting directly to IPs instead of using public DNS, and the firewall prevents packets not bound for the VPN port from reaching the server's IP.
These protective measures ensure that Perfect Privacy users remain shielded from the risks posed by TunnelCrack. In contrast to other VPN providers that lack these defenses, Perfect Privacy's commitment to security and user privacy is evident.
To delve deeper into the intricacies of TunnelCrack and its vulnerabilities, interested readers can explore the research paper on the subject: TunnelCrack Research Paper. Additionally, a blog post by Perfect Privacy provides insights into the significance of the ServerIP vulnerability and how it can affect VPN users: Port Fail blog post.
It's important to remain vigilant and informed about potential security risks in the ever-evolving landscape of technology. While TunnelCrack sheds light on vulnerabilities in VPNs, providers like Perfect Privacy are working to stay ahead of these challenges and provide users with a safer online experience.
Your Perfect Privacy Team