ConnectWise ScreenConnect, a legitimate remote access and remote support tool, has been identified as the most abused Remote Access Trojan (RAT) in cyberattacks reported in 2025. While ScreenConnect is designed to facilitate remote IT support and administration, threat actors have increasingly leveraged it as a RAT to gain unauthorized access to victim systems. This abuse typically involves attackers exploiting weak configurations, stolen credentials, or social engineering to deploy ScreenConnect sessions covertly, enabling persistent remote control over compromised endpoints. The lack of specific affected versions or known exploits in the wild suggests that the threat arises primarily from misuse of legitimate functionality rather than exploitation of a software vulnerability. The medium severity rating indicates a moderate risk level, likely due to the tool’s legitimate nature complicating detection and prevention. The minimal discussion and low Reddit score imply limited public technical details, but the prominence of ScreenConnect in attack reports highlights its attractiveness to adversaries for stealthy lateral movement, data exfiltration, and system manipulation. This trend underscores the risk posed by legitimate remote administration tools when abused by malicious actors, emphasizing the need for strict access controls and monitoring around such software.

For European organizations, the abuse of ConnectWise ScreenConnect as a RAT can lead to significant security incidents including unauthorized data access, intellectual property theft, disruption of business operations, and potential compliance violations under regulations like GDPR. Since ScreenConnect provides full remote control capabilities, attackers can manipulate systems, install additional malware, or move laterally within networks. The stealthy nature of this abuse complicates detection, increasing the risk of prolonged undetected intrusions. European entities relying on remote support tools or managed service providers using ScreenConnect are particularly vulnerable. The impact is heightened for sectors with sensitive data such as finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, where breaches can have severe operational and reputational consequences. Additionally, the cross-border nature of many European companies means that a compromise in one country can quickly affect subsidiaries or partners elsewhere in Europe.

To mitigate the risk of ConnectWise ScreenConnect abuse, European organizations should implement strict access controls including multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all remote access sessions. Limit ScreenConnect usage to only trusted administrators and service providers, and enforce the principle of least privilege. Regularly audit and monitor remote access logs for unusual or unauthorized sessions. Employ network segmentation to restrict lateral movement from endpoints with remote access capabilities. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to identify anomalous behavior associated with RAT activity. Educate users and IT staff about social engineering tactics that could lead to credential compromise. Where possible, replace or supplement ScreenConnect with remote access solutions that provide enhanced security features such as session recording, granular permission settings, and anomaly detection. Finally, maintain up-to-date inventories of all remote access tools and ensure timely application of security patches and updates.