What is an Exploit?
An exploit is a piece of software, sequence of commands, or a malicious code that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in a computer system or software application to gain unauthorized access or perform destructive actions.
Types of Exploits
- Remote Exploits
- Local Exploits
- Web Application Exploits
- Client-side Exploits
How do Exploits Work?
Exploits work by targeting weaknesses or vulnerabilities in a system, such as a software bug or a misconfiguration, to execute arbitrary code or commands. Once an exploit is successful, the attacker can take control of the system, steal sensitive data, or disrupt operations.
Real-life Examples
One famous exploit is the EternalBlue exploit used in the WannaCry ransomware attack in 2017, which affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. Another example is the Heartbleed vulnerability in OpenSSL, which allowed attackers to access sensitive information.
Case Studies
In 2013, Target suffered a massive data breach due to an exploit in their point-of-sale systems, compromising the credit card information of millions of customers. In 2020, Zoom faced criticism for security vulnerabilities that could be exploited to eavesdrop on calls or take over a user’s camera.
Statistics on Exploits
According to a report by Symantec, the number of zero-day vulnerabilities discovered in 2020 increased by 55% compared to the previous year. The average cost of a data breach caused by a cyber exploit is estimated to be around $3.86 million.
