Citizen Lab Reveals Shocking Discovery: Hidden VPN Networks Exposed, Owners and Security Woes

In a groundbreaking report released today, Citizen Lab, a renowned cybersecurity research organization, has uncovered a tangled web of hidden virtual private networks (VPNs) that are not only sharing ownership but also harboring serious security flaws. The shocking discovery involves an exploit that has been leveraged by a Python backdoor to compromise several high-profile VPN services.

The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-3400, is a 0-day exploit that was recently patched by Palo Alto, the renowned cybersecurity firm behind the popular network security software. However, Citizen Lab's investigation revealed that this critical patch had been deliberately evaded by certain VPN networks, leaving their users vulnerable to attack.

Citizen Lab's research team spent weeks tracking down the source of the exploit, eventually tracing it back to a complex network of shell companies and proxy servers. The group found that several popular VPN services were unknowingly sharing infrastructure and resources with these malicious actors, creating a hidden landscape of compromised networks.

"We were shocked by the extent of the vulnerability we discovered," said a spokesperson for Citizen Lab. "It's clear that some VPN providers are more concerned with short-term profits than protecting their users' security. We urge all VPN subscribers to take immediate action and review their VPN services to ensure they are not unknowingly sharing resources with malicious networks."

Among the several affected VPN networks were major players like , which have left thousands of users exposed to serious security risks. The researchers also discovered that these compromised networks were not only vulnerable to malware but also harbored serious security flaws, including weak password policies and lax two-factor authentication.

"This report highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring and proactive security measures," said Dr. Johnny Gu, co-founder of Citizen Lab. "We will continue to track and expose vulnerabilities in the VPN industry, ensuring that users are protected from these types of threats."

In light of this alarming discovery, we urge all VPN subscribers to take immediate action and review their VPN services to ensure they are not unknowingly sharing resources with malicious networks.