What is a vulnerability?
A vulnerability in cybersecurity is a weakness or flaw in a system, software, or network that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access, disrupt operations, or steal sensitive information. Vulnerabilities can arise from various sources, such as software bugs, misconfigurations, or inadequate security practices. Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities is crucial for maintaining the integrity and security of an organization's digital assets.
What are Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE)
The CVE system provides a reference-method for publicly known information-security vulnerabilities and exposures. Each CVE entry includes an identification number, a description, and at least one public reference, making it easier for security teams to share data across separate vulnerability capabilities, such as tools, repositories, and services.
Importance of CVE
- Standardization: Provides a common reference for discussing and addressing vulnerabilities.
- Prioritization: Helps in assessing the severity and potential impact of vulnerabilities.
- Efficiency: Streamlines communication and collaboration among security teams and organizations.
Common Vulnerabilities and Their Impact
Below is an updated table listing common vulnerabilities, including their descriptions, reasons why attackers use them, severity levels, and examples of famous CVE references.
| Tool Name |
Description |
Why Would the Attacker Use It? |
Severity Level |
Examples (CVE) |
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) |
Injecting malicious scripts into web pages. |
Session hijacking, defacement, data theft. |
High |
CVE-2020-11022, CVE-2019-11358 |
Directory Traversal |
Accessing files outside the web root folder. |
Reading sensitive files, executing code. |
Medium |
CVE-2020-11651, CVE-2019-16759 |
Local File Inclusion (LFI) |
Allows access to files on the server. |
Reading sensitive files, executing code. |
High |
CVE-2020-13092, CVE-2018-19788 |
Remote Code Execution (RCE) |
Allows attackers to run arbitrary code on a server. |
Complete system takeover, execution of any command. |
Critical |
CVE-2020-0601, CVE-2019-19781 |
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) |
Forcing a server to make unauthorized requests. |
Network reconnaissance, accessing internal systems. |
High |
CVE-2020-14026, CVE-2020-1959 |
Source Code Disclosure |
Exposing the source code of an application. |
Identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in the code. |
Medium |
CVE-2020-26250, CVE-2019-18935 |
SQL Injection (SQLi) |
Injecting malicious SQL queries via input fields. |
Unauthorized access, data manipulation, or deletion. |
Critical |
CVE-2020-29064, CVE-2019-15107 |
Vulnerable JavaScript Libraries |
Using outdated JavaScript libraries with known vulnerabilities. |
Exploiting known vulnerabilities to execute attacks. |
Medium |
CVE-2020-7660, CVE-2019-11358 |
Weak Passwords |
Using easily guessable passwords. |
Brute force attacks, unauthorized access. |
Low |
CVE-2020-10977, CVE-2019-6110 |
How Vectra AI Can Help
Vectra AI's platform enhances your ability to manage Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures by providing advanced threat detection and behavioral analytics. Our solution helps you identify, prioritize, and mitigate vulnerabilities efficiently. We encourage you to watch a self-guided demo of the Vectra AI platform to see how it can benefit your organization.