A remote control execution is a broad category of cyber attack technique. It allows a threat actor to execute this remote code on a target machine across the internet, wide area network (WAN), or local area network (LAN). For example, a threat actor in Ukraine could silently place malicious code on a targeted device in the United States. Additionally, RCE enables a threat actor to control a computer or server by executing malicious software. RCE can, of course, lead to the complete takeover of a targeted vulnerable application.

Execution of an RCE attack sequence is pretty basic. First, the threat actor scans computers across the internet seeking known vulnerabilities that may support a successful attack. Once a targeted vulnerability is identified, the threat actor then performs the exploit to gain access. Now that they are in, they can execute the malicious code to reach their goals, including exfiltrating data, diverting funds, performing detailed surveillance, and disrupting service.