SSL-VPN Compromise: How perimeter device breaches lead to ransomware and domain takeover

**Executive summary:** This report examines how compromises of internet‑facing SSL‑VPN appliances (including Fortinet zero‑day exploitation and SonicWall cloud backup leaks) provide attackers with authenticated internal access, enabling credential harvesting, lateral movement, and rapid ransomware/domain compromise; it details common TTPs, business impacts, and mitigation strategies while stressing the need for Zero Trust architectures.