The Download
In 2024, cyber threat actors exploited 768 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), marking a 20% rise from the 639 CVEs exploited in 2023. Notably, 23.6% of these vulnerabilities were weaponized on or before their public disclosure date, underscoring the speed at which attackers leverage new weaknesses. A significant example is CVE-2021-44228, known as Log4Shell, associated with 31 different threat actors. Attackers often exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access, execute arbitrary code, or disrupt services, leading to data breaches, system compromises, and financial losses.
What You Can Do
To mitigate these risks, IT administrators should implement a robust vulnerability management program that includes continuous monitoring and timely patching of systems. Prioritizing patches for vulnerabilities known to be actively exploited is crucial. Additionally, reducing the exposure of critical systems to the internet can limit potential attack vectors. Employing intrusion detection systems, maintaining up-to-date threat intelligence, and conducting regular security assessments can further strengthen an organization's defense against such exploits.
Get started using ThreatMate to protect your client networks from exploitable vulnerabilities. ThreatMate will monitor all your network attack surfaces, prioritize the vulnerabilities based on threat intelligence, and then create simple mission plans to remediate and reduce risk. Schedule your demo today!
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