Zero Day
Zero-day vulnerabilities represent a critical challenge for security teams worldwide. These vulnerabilities are software flaws that are unknown to the vendor and, consequently, have no patch available at the time of discovery. Their exploitation by adversaries can lead to significant breaches, data loss, and system compromises.
- According to a report by FireEye, zero-day vulnerabilities accounted for 0.1% of all exploited vulnerabilities, highlighting their rarity but significant impact.
- The Cost of a Data Breach Report 2020 by IBM found that the average time to identify and contain a breach was 280 days, underscoring the stealthy nature of zero-day exploits.
What is a Zero-Day vulnerability?
A zero-day is a previously unknown vulnerability in software or hardware that hackers can exploit before the developer or manufacturer has become aware of it and issued a patch or fix. The term "zero-day" refers to the fact that the developers have "zero days" to address the issue because it is unknown to them.
These vulnerabilities are highly sought after in the cybercriminal community because they can be used to launch attacks with a high chance of success, often bypassing existing security measures. Zero-day exploits are dangerous because they can remain undetected for a long time, potentially causing significant damage before a patch is released and applied.
Is there a way to prevent zero days?
Preventing zero-day vulnerabilities and exploits is challenging, but there are several strategies that can help mitigate the risks associated with these sophisticated attacks.
Implementing advanced threat detection systems that use machine learning and behavioral analysis can be crucial in identifying unusual activities that might indicate a zero-day exploit. Continuous monitoring and real-time visibility into endpoint activities are also essential to quickly address any suspicious behavior.
Enhanced network security through network segmentation can contain potential breaches and limit the lateral movement of attackers within the network. Intrusion Detection and Prevention Systems (IDPS) that monitor network traffic for suspicious activities can detect and block zero-day exploits based on behavior rather than just known signatures. Though, even when combined with other tools like XDR, EDR, SIEM and firewalls, intrusion detection systems can’t easily discern unknown threats or stop attacks already inside the network.
Application whitelisting ensures that only approved applications run on systems, reducing the risk of malicious software execution. Regular security awareness training helps employees recognize phishing attempts and other social engineering tactics that could lead to zero-day exploits. Conducting regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can identify and address potential weaknesses before attackers exploit them.
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) solutions offer continuous monitoring and rapid response to threats at endpoints, using advanced analytics to detect anomalies. Maintaining regular backups and robust recovery plans ensures business continuity in the event of a successful attack, minimizing damage and recovery time. However, as effective as these technologies can be against some attacker techniques, today’s attackers are equally efficient at finding exposure gaps beyond these controls.
While it's impossible to prevent zero-day vulnerabilities entirely, these measures can significantly reduce the risk and impact of zero-day exploits on an organization.
Example of an attack that started with a Zero-Day exploit
The image below represents a simulated zero-day exploit attack which begins with the attacker exploiting an exposed file-sharing server where endpoint detection and response (EDR) cannot be run.
The attacker then deploys command and control (C2) for external control, maps the network, and moves laterally using remote code execution to access a server, eventually discovering an admin account. They bypass multi-factor authentication (MFA) using a jump server to access Azure AD and Microsoft 365 (M365), enabling persistent access and discovering valuable documents.
The attacker uses federated access to connect to AWS but is detected and stopped by Vectra AI before accessing high-value data.
Vectra AI's detections include hidden HTTPS tunnels, suspicious remote executions, privilege anomalies, and AWS organization discoveries, enabling the analyst to lock down the compromised account and stop the attack in real-time.
If you're concerned about zero-day vulnerabilities and their potential impact on your organization, our team at Vectra AI is here to help. We offer cutting-edge solutions designed to detect and mitigate these threats before they can cause harm. Contact us today to learn more about how we can enhance your cybersecurity posture.