A zero-day exploit is a flaw in a software or hardware that is unknown to the vendor or the public. Since a patch or solution may take some time to be rolled out, cybercriminals can take advantage of these weaknesses before they are resolved, making them potentially very dangerous.
How Zero-Day Exploits Work
Screening: A hacker discovers a weakness in a software or hardware solution.
The hacker writes malware to exploit the vulnerability
Step 2: Attack Initiation: The attacker begins her attacks against vulnerable systems, typically choosing high-value targets like a government agency or a corporation.
PROBLEM OF ZERO-DAY EXPLOITS
Data exposure — zero-day exploits can hint at critical information penetrates, compromising confidential data.
Commercial Damage→ Attackers disable or disrupt critical systems and services resulting in loss of revenue and operational impact
Corporate espionage: Cyberespionage actors can use these zero-days to gain access to your most sensitive information.
Mitigating Zero-Day Exploits
Zero-day exploits will always be a threat, and no organization will ever fully protect themselves from the risk, but there are things that can be done to minimize their impact:
Patch Management: Keep software and systems patched to the latest security versions.
Threat Intelligence: Stay up to date on the latest threats and vulnerabilities.
Regularly evaluate systems for vulnerabilities and weaknesses using vulnerability scanning and penetration testing
This approach allows organizations to minimize their risk of zero-day exploitation and protect their most valuable assets.
