What is Zero Day Vulnerabilities?
A zero-day vulnerability is a security flaw in software or hardware that the developer is unaware of, leaving it unpatched and open to exploitation. Because the vendor has “zero days” to fix it once it’s discovered or exploited, hackers can use these vulnerabilities to launch attacks before a patch is released.
These vulnerabilities are highly dangerous because they can be exploited to gain unauthorized access, steal sensitive data, or disrupt systems without any immediate defense. Zero-day exploits are often sold or shared in the cybercriminal underground, making them a significant threat to individuals and organizations.
To protect against zero-day vulnerabilities, organizations should prioritize using strong security measures like intrusion detection systems, frequent software updates, and monitoring for suspicious activity Here’s a breakdown of the process:
- Discovery: The vulnerability is found by an attacker or a researcher.
- Exploitation: Hackers create a method (called a zero-day exploit) to take advantage of this vulnerability.
- Detection: Security experts or the vendor eventually discover the flaw and release a patch or update.
- Mitigation: Users need to apply the patch to protect against the exploit.