Zero-Day Vulnerability

Definition:

A zero-day vulnerability refers to a software or hardware flaw that is unknown to the vendor and has no available patch. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities before the vendor is aware of the issue, giving them a critical window of opportunity.

Use Cases:

• Used by attackers to exploit unknown weaknesses in software, often causing severe damage or data breaches.
• Employed in targeted attacks, particularly against critical infrastructure or high-value targets, where vulnerabilities have not yet been discovered.
  
  

Related Terms:

• Vulnerability
• Exploit
• Patch Management
• Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)
  
  

Questions and Answers:

• What makes a zero-day vulnerability dangerous?
  Zero-day vulnerabilities are dangerous because there is no existing fix, and attackers can exploit the flaw before the vendor has time to develop a patch.
  
  
• How are zero-day vulnerabilities discovered?
  They can be discovered by researchers, ethical hackers, or cybercriminals. In some cases, they are used by nation-state actors or advanced threat groups before the vulnerability becomes widely known.
  
  
• How can organizations defend against zero-day attacks?
  Organizations can use threat intelligence, behavior-based detection systems, and endpoint protection solutions to detect unusual activity that might indicate a zero-day exploit.