What is a Zero-Day Attack?

A zero-day attack is a threat actor’s method to access a vulnerable system. These are serious security dangers with a high success rate because firms lack the necessary protections to detect and prevent them.

A zero-day vulnerability is a security bug in software that has yet to be released to the public, and the affected vendor still needs to be made aware of its existence.

A zero-day attack begins when a hacker discovers a zero-day bug, a code or software vulnerability the target has yet to discover. The attacker then develops a zero-day exploit to take advantage of the existing vulnerability.

Zero-Day Operation

A zero-day attack starts when a software developer releases insecure code that has been discovered and exploited by a malicious entity. The assault could be efficient, as it can result in identity or information theft, or the developer could create a patch to limit its spread.

Once a patch has been produced and applied, the vulnerability is no longer classified as a zero-day exploit.

A zero-day campaign commonly goes through a step-by-step method before it becomes known to the vendor and the public.

1. Vulnerability introduced: This is the first stage in which a developer produces software that unknowingly contains susceptible code.
2. Exploit released: This is the second stage in which a threat actor uncovers the vulnerability before the developer is aware of it or has had the opportunity to repair or patch it. The hacker then creates and distributes exploit code while the vulnerability remains open.
3. Vulnerability discovered: This method occurs when a vendor becomes aware of the security flaw but does not have a fix available.
4. Vulnerability disclosed: The vendor and security researchers disclose the bug, warning users and notifying attackers of its existence.
5. Antivirus signatures have been released: If attackers have produced zero-day malware that exploits the vulnerability, antivirus manufacturers can immediately recognise and guard against it. However, systems may remain vulnerable if further exploits are available.
6. Security patch released: The vendor provides a public fix to repair the vulnerability. The time it takes to arrive is determined by the sophistication and priority given to it during its development process.

Security patch deployment completed: Releasing a security update does not give an immediate solution because it may take some time for people to install it. Hence, companies and users should consider enabling automatic software updates and be mindful of update notifications.

Systems are vulnerable to attacks throughout the process, but a zero-day attack can only occur between stages 2 and 4. If the vulnerability is not addressed immediately, other attacks may occur.

Zero-day assaults are rarely detected fast enough to avoid significant damage. It can take days to years for a developer to know that a vulnerability exists, resulting in an attack and a data breach.

Zero-day Attack Prevention and Reduction

Since zero-day attacks cannot be patched, there are measures that companies can use to ensure that they can prevent or mitigate a zero-day campaign.

1. Vulnerability scanning: This solution can simulate attacks on software code, evaluate code for flaws, and attempt to identify new concerns introduced by a program update. However, this method does not discover all zero-day exploits, and scanning is not enough.
2. Patch management: This tactic involves deploying software updates as quickly as possible after detecting a software bug to limit the danger of an attack. However, it cannot prevent an exploit if the hacker develops the campaign before the patch is employed.
3. Input validation: This process is also commonly known as data validation. It involves adequately verifying any input a user or app provides to prevent badly formed data from breaching a system. It protects enterprises through vulnerability assessment and patch management, allowing them to respond quickly to new threats.
4. Zero-day initiative: The zero-day effort is an attack that compensates security researchers who disclose vulnerabilities rather than selling them on the black market. Its primary goal is to establish a community of vulnerability researchers who identify software issues before hackers do.

Zero-Day Vulnerability Mitigation

1. Being proactive and informed on the latest risks in the cybercriminal landscape is a vital first step in preventing zero-day attacks. This includes releasing comprehensive security software that will block known and unknown threats. It also includes employees practising proper online hygiene and configuring security settings for their search engines and systems.
2. Ensuring systems are updated is crucial to protecting a business from the risk of zero-day attacks. This includes installing the latest features, removing outdated or useless features, updating drivers, fixing bugs, and filling potential weaknesses in security.
3. Traditional AV software cannot effectively protect businesses from zero-day threats. Instead, companies need to look for solutions that block unknown zero-day malware.

How can iZOOlogic help my Company or Organisation?

Find out how iZOOlogic can protect against zero-day attacks through our Vendor Risk Assessment, which is included in our services.

To find out more about how iZOOlogic can help protect your company’s cyber security, schedule a demo.