Modern businesses aren’t just in office cubicles anymore. Over 58% of employees work remotely at least part of the time.[1] This change brings both benefits and challenges. While it helps teams be more productive, it also raises security risks. In fact, breaches caused by remote work can cost companies $1.07 million more.[1]
VPNs are critical for ensuring secure, seamless access to sensitive data. They enable employees to collaborate and stay productive, no matter where they are.
As much as VPNs enable secure operations, they’re not without flaws. The truth is, that many VPN implementations carry hidden risks. Outdated configurations, weak protocols, and poor maintenance open doors to attackers, and the consequences can be devastating.
What is a VPN?
A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that masks a user’s online identity. It creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the internet. By keeping data safe from hackers, trackers, and surveillance, VPNs can block websites or appear as if browsing from another location.
What makes VPNs secure?
A secure VPN does more than just create an encrypted tunnel. It should protect against interception, unauthorized access, and data leaks at every level. The following components define a strong business VPN:
- Advanced encryption standards like AES-256 or ChaCha20 to safeguard data
- Modern VPN protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2) that balance speed and security
- Strict no-logging policies to maintain user privacy
- DNS and IP leak protection
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Routine patching and maintenance
These factors ensure that VPNs don’t just provide access—they provide trusted, protected, and monitored access. But too often, VPNs are treated as “set and forget” tools. And that’s where problems begin.
Evaluating business VPN security vulnerabilities
A study found that over 60% of VPN-related breaches[2] in enterprises occurred due to misconfigurations or outdated software. Attackers specifically target VPNs because they know one flaw could grant access to the entire network.
Enterprises must continuously evaluate the security posture of their VPN infrastructure—not just the software, but also the way it’s deployed, maintained, and monitored.
Now let’s look at the most critical vulnerabilities of VPN that puts enterprise data at risk.
Top 10 VPN vulnerabilities businesses must know
1. Weak encryption
Relying on outdated encryption algorithms like 3DES or RC4 leaves VPN traffic exposed. These older standards have well-known flaws that modern attackers can easily exploit through brute-force methods or cryptanalysis techniques. Most times, it’s not a question of if they’ll break—it’s when.
When VPN encryption is weak, it creates a gap in the organization’s security framework. Critical data such as login credentials, financial information, and internal communications can be exposed, monitored, or stolen without triggering any alerts.
2. Data leaks
A VPN that leaks IP addresses or fails to reroute internet traffic defeats the very purpose of using a VPN. These leaks often occur when the VPN connection drops unexpectedly or during periods of high network load. In such cases, traffic may bypass the encrypted tunnel altogether, exposing sensitive details without the user’s knowledge.
When this happens, external servers or attackers can see the device’s real IP address, DNS queries, or even the contents of unencrypted traffic. This information can be used to track user behavior, map network activity, or launch targeted attacks—all while giving the appearance that the VPN is still active.
3. Weak VPN protocols
Legacy VPN protocols like PPTP and L2TP/IPSec use outdated encryption and weak authentication methods. PPTP has long-standing vulnerabilities, and L2TP often relies on pre-shared keys that are easily compromised.
Attackers can exploit these weak points to hijack VPN sessions, decrypt sensitive traffic, or gain unauthorized access to internal systems, putting enterprise data and infrastructure at risk.
4. Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks
This is another VPN Vulnerability that occurs when attackers intercept and manipulate data traveling between a user and the VPN server. This is more likely to happen when VPN configurations are weak or when public, unsecured networks are involved.
Sensitive data like login credentials, financial details, or private communications can be intercepted and altered by attackers. This can lead to data theft or unauthorized access, with both parties unaware of the breach.
5. Unpatched VPN software
VPN providers regularly release updates to address security vulnerabilities and fix bugs. These patches are crucial for closing gaps in encryption, authentication, and other vital areas. When enterprises delay or skip these updates, they unknowingly leave their systems exposed to potential threats.
If software remains unpatched, known exploits become immediate attack vectors. Threat actors can take advantage of these weaknesses to bypass security measures, gain unauthorized access, or steal sensitive data.
6. Logging practices
Some VPNs keep logs of user activity, such as connection times, IP addresses, and accessed resources, for troubleshooting or performance monitoring. However, if these logs are improperly secured or exposed, they can become a serious privacy risk.
Attackers or unauthorized parties can use these logs to build detailed user profiles, track behavior, or even access sensitive usage data. This compromises user privacy and can expose sensitive information that was meant to be protected by the VPN’s encryption.
7. DNS leaks
DNS leaks happen when a VPN fails to properly route DNS queries through its secure servers, allowing them to bypass the VPN tunnel and reach the default DNS server (usually the ISP). This exposes the websites users visit, revealing browsing activity even with the VPN on.
External observers can see what websites or services are being accessed.
8. VPN server vulnerabilities
The server side of a VPN, especially self-hosted VPN servers, can be vulnerable to privilege escalation, port scanning, or DDoS attacks if not properly hardened.
A single vulnerable VPN with compromised server can lead to full network access for attackers.
9. Credential theft and replay attacks
Static VPN credentials or passwords stored insecurely on endpoints can be stolen through phishing or malware. Attackers can then use these credentials to impersonate users.
Unauthorized access to business systems with minimal detection.
10. Over-permissioned access
Many VPN setups allow users to access the entire corporate network once connected. Without segmentation or policy control, one compromised device can become a launchpad for lateral movement.
Attackers can pivot from a single-user device to internal servers or databases.
How to combat enterprise VPN vulnerability
To address these VPN vulnerabilities, enterprises require a VPN solution that is not only secure but also adaptable to evolving threats. A modern, robust approach that offers strong encryption, seamless usability, and granular policy control is essential to maintain security without compromising productivity. Scalefusion Veltar delivers exactly that, combining cutting-edge technology with enterprise-grade features to safeguard sensitive data and ensure secure remote access, all while minimizing user friction.
What is Scalefusion Veltar?
Scalefusion Veltar is a purpose-built business VPN solution that protects corporate resources by selectively routing traffic through a secure VPN tunnel. It combines the security of a VPN with simplified management. It’s designed to eliminate the complexity of traditional VPNs while strengthening endpoint-to-network security.
Here’s how it helps address common VPN weaknesses:
Cryptographic routing: Secures not just data but metadata too. Unlike traditional VPNs that expose IP headers, cryptographic routing conceals the routing information itself.
Benefit: Prevents attackers from analyzing traffic patterns or determining communication paths.
VPN Internet Gateway: Instead of routing traffic blindly, Veltar acts as a smart internet gateway that inspects, filters, and enforces policies on every connection. This includes restricting access to corporate resources by user groups and user roles, IP range and real-time threat detection.
Benefit: Secure access meets policy-driven control, without complexity.
Built-in IP Roaming: Traditional VPNs often disconnect when a device switches networks. Veltar supports built-in IP roaming, maintaining session continuity without user disruption.
Benefit: Employees stay connected and protected across changing networks.
Peer-to-hub Connections: Veltar eliminates risky peer-to-peer routing. Devices connect through a central, controlled hub, enabling better visibility and management.
Benefit: Reduces exposure, improves segmentation, and simplifies traffic monitoring.
Key takeaways
- VPNs are essential, but they’re not invincible. Poor configurations, outdated protocols, and overlooked updates make them a growing target.
- The most common VPN vulnerabilities include weak encryption, data leaks, and server flaws.
- Businesses must monitor, audit, and modernize their VPN strategy—especially at scale.
- Scalefusion Veltar offers a next-gen approach to remote access with built-in protection, routing intelligence, and seamless usability.
Closing thoughts
The VPN has come a long way, but relying on outdated models in today’s threat landscape is risky. Enterprises must think beyond just encryption. They need control, visibility, and resilience baked into their remote access strategy.
Scalefusion Veltar isn’t just a VPN replacement, but, it’s a step forward in how businesses secure their distributed workforce.
Ready to secure your remote workforce without the risks? Veltar has you covered.
To know more, contact our experts and schedule a demo.
Sign up for a 14-day free trial now.
References:
FAQs
1. What are the common VPN vulnerabilities?
Common VPN vulnerabilities include DNS and IP leaks, which expose user data despite encryption. Weak protocols like PPTP or outdated encryption standards can be exploited. Misconfigured servers, poor access controls, and unpatched software create additional risk. Endpoint compromise, where the device itself is infected, bypasses VPN protection entirely.
2. What type of attacks could a VPN mitigate?
A VPN defends against man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, especially on public Wi-Fi, by encrypting data in transit. It also shields users from IP tracking, ISP-level snooping, and geo-targeted surveillance. VPNs help maintain privacy by masking the user’s real location and making web traffic unreadable to outsiders.
3. What is the most secure VPN type?
OpenVPN and WireGuard are the gold standard for secure VPNs. OpenVPN offers mature, battle-tested security with strong AES encryption and certificate-based authentication. WireGuard is newer but praised for its minimal codebase, blazing speed, and cutting-edge cryptography (like ChaCha20 and Curve25519). Both are excellent—WireGuard for speed and simplicity, OpenVPN for flexibility and legacy compatibility.
4. Is a VPN 100% Secure?
No. While it encrypts traffic and hides your IP, it doesn’t prevent phishing, malware, or threats from compromised devices. If endpoints are infected, even the strongest VPN can’t stop data leaks. It’s a powerful layer, but true security requires endpoint protection, patching, MFA, and user awareness too.
