Critical Check Point VPN Flaws: Urgent Security Alert for Australian Businesses
Critical Check Point VPN flaws are now at the centre of an urgent security warning from Dutch authorities, signalling imminent exploitation by threat actors worldwide. The Dutch Nationaal Cyber Security Centrum (NCSC) has issued an alert regarding two severe vulnerabilities that could leave thousands of organisations—including many Australian businesses—exposed to devastating cyberattacks. If your organisation relies on Check Point VPN solutions, immediate action is essential to protect your network infrastructure.
“The Dutch Nationaal Cyber Security Centrum (NCSC) is warning of imminent exploitation of two critical flaws in Check Point VPN tracked as CVE-2026-85102 and CVE-2026-85103.”
What Happened: Dutch NCSC Issues Critical Warning
On September 13, 2026, the Dutch NCSC released an urgent advisory warning that exploitation of two critical Check Point VPN vulnerabilities is imminent. The vulnerabilities, tracked as CVE-2026-85102 and CVE-2026-85103, affect widely deployed Check Point VPN gateway products used by enterprises globally.
This warning comes as security researchers have observed active reconnaissance and proof-of-concept code circulating in underground forums. The NCSC’s alert indicates that threat actors are preparing to weaponise these flaws at scale, making patching an immediate priority for all affected organisations.
Check Point VPN solutions are extensively used across government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare providers, and enterprises in Australia. The timing of this alert—during a period of heightened geopolitical cyber activity—amplifies the urgency for Australian security teams to respond swiftly.
How Do These Check Point VPN Vulnerabilities Work?
The two critical vulnerabilities present distinct but equally dangerous attack vectors that threat actors can exploit to compromise enterprise networks.
CVE-2026-85102: Authentication Bypass
This vulnerability allows attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms in Check Point VPN gateways. By exploiting this flaw, malicious actors can gain unauthorised access to protected networks without valid credentials. The vulnerability stems from improper validation of authentication tokens during the VPN handshake process.
CVE-2026-85103: Remote Code Execution
The second vulnerability enables remote code execution (RCE) on affected devices. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges, potentially leading to:
- Complete network compromise
- Data exfiltration and theft
- Ransomware deployment
- Lateral movement across internal systems
- Persistent backdoor installation
When chained together, these critical Check Point VPN flaws create a devastating attack pathway. An attacker could first bypass authentication (CVE-2026-85102), then execute malicious code (CVE-2026-85103) to achieve full control of the VPN gateway and connected networks.
Business Impact: Why Australian Organisations Must Act Now
The potential business impact of these vulnerabilities cannot be overstated. VPN gateways serve as the primary entry point for remote workers and branch offices, making them high-value targets for cybercriminals and nation-state actors alike.
Immediate Risks
Organisations that fail to address these vulnerabilities face several critical risks:
- Data Breaches: Attackers gaining network access can exfiltrate sensitive customer data, intellectual property, and financial records
- Ransomware Attacks: Compromised VPN gateways provide ideal deployment points for ransomware across entire corporate networks
- Regulatory Penalties: Australian organisations may face significant fines under the Privacy Act and notifiable data breach requirements
- Operational Disruption: Network compromises can halt business operations for days or weeks
- Reputational Damage: Security breaches erode customer trust and damage brand reputation
Australian Regulatory Considerations
Under Australia’s Notifiable Data Breaches (NDB) scheme, organisations must report eligible data breaches to the OAIC within 72 hours. Exploitation of these VPN flaws could trigger mandatory reporting requirements, adding compliance pressure to the technical response.
Actionable Recommendations: Protecting Your Organisation
Security teams should implement the following measures immediately to mitigate the risk posed by these critical Check Point VPN flaws:
Immediate Actions (Within 24-48 Hours)
- Apply vendor patches: Check Point has released security updates addressing both vulnerabilities—deploy them immediately
- Review VPN logs: Examine authentication logs for suspicious access patterns or anomalous connection attempts
- Enable enhanced logging: Increase logging verbosity on VPN gateways to improve detection capabilities
- Implement network segmentation: Limit lateral movement potential by segmenting networks behind VPN gateways
Short-Term Measures (Within One Week)
- Conduct vulnerability assessments: Scan your environment to identify all affected Check Point devices
- Implement additional authentication: Deploy multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all VPN connections
- Update incident response plans: Ensure your team is prepared to respond to potential exploitation attempts
- Engage expert support: Consider partnering with specialists for vulnerability management services to ensure comprehensive protection
Long-Term Security Improvements
- Implement zero-trust network architecture principles
- Establish continuous vulnerability monitoring processes
- Develop and test incident response playbooks for VPN compromises
- Consider deploying additional network detection and response (NDR) solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
What versions of Check Point VPN are affected by these vulnerabilities?
The vulnerabilities affect multiple versions of Check Point VPN gateway products. Organisations should consult Check Point’s official security advisory for the complete list of affected versions and corresponding patches. All unpatched installations should be considered at risk until updates are applied.
How can I tell if my organisation has already been compromised?
Signs of potential compromise include unusual authentication patterns, unexpected administrative account creation, anomalous outbound network traffic, and unexplained configuration changes on VPN devices. Security teams should review logs dating back several weeks and consider engaging incident response specialists if suspicious activity is detected.
Are there temporary mitigations if we cannot patch immediately?
While patching remains the only complete fix, organisations can implement temporary risk reduction measures. These include restricting VPN access to known IP ranges, implementing strict network segmentation, enabling enhanced monitoring, and considering temporary service restrictions during off-peak hours. However, these measures do not eliminate the risk—patching must remain the priority.
Key Takeaways
- The Dutch NCSC warns that exploitation of CVE-2026-85102 and CVE-2026-85103 is imminent
- These critical Check Point VPN flaws enable authentication bypass and remote code execution
- Australian organisations using Check Point VPN solutions face significant breach risks
- Immediate patching and enhanced monitoring are essential protective measures
- Failure to act could result in data breaches, ransomware attacks, and regulatory penalties
Conclusion: Don’t Wait for Exploitation to Begin
The warning from Dutch authorities about critical Check Point VPN flaws represents a clear and present danger to organisations worldwide, including those across Australia. With exploitation considered imminent, the window for proactive defence is rapidly closing. Security teams must prioritise patching, implement additional protective measures, and prepare incident response capabilities.
If your organisation needs assistance assessing your exposure to these vulnerabilities or strengthening your overall security posture, speak with our security team at OziTechs. Our cybersecurity experts can help you navigate this threat and implement robust defences to protect your critical infrastructure.