A previously unknown vulnerability that is exploited before the software vendor is aware of it or has released a patch. Zero-day attacks are particularly dangerous because no defense or fix exists at the time of discovery.
Extended Explanation
Zero-day vulnerabilities are highly valued in both criminal and intelligence communities. They can be sold on underground markets for significant sums. Organizations can mitigate zero-day risks through defense-in-depth strategies, behavioral detection, network segmentation, and keeping systems updated with the latest security patches.
Related Terms
Exploit
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Patch Management
generalThe process of acquiring, testing, and deploying software updates (patches) to fix vulnerabilities and improve functiona...
Vulnerability
generalA weakness in a system, application, or process that can be exploited by a threat actor to gain unauthorized access or c...