1.
What is a Zero-Day Exploit?
One of the nightmares for companies operating in the digital landscape, the zero-day attack, can occur more powerfully and aggressively with advancing technology. So, what is a zero-day attack? The situation where a security vulnerability in a system is discovered by attackers before the software provider (Vendor) or developer is aware of it is termed a "zero-day vulnerability." These gaps in the system can stem from design flaws, coding errors, or misconfigurations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems, causing serious damage to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability (CIA Triad) of data.
It is possible to expand the answer to the question what is a zero-day by adding the definition of the concept of a Zero-day exploit. A Zero-day exploit is a piece of code or software developed to abuse a detected vulnerability. In other words, the vulnerability ceases to be theoretical and transforms into a practically exploitable attack tool. Once the exploit code is prepared, this tool becomes easily executable on the target system even by attackers with relatively low technical knowledge (script kiddies). Another issue that should not be forgotten is that a security vulnerability may not be directly usable on its own. A zero-day exploit is the technical tool (payload) that triggers this gap under certain conditions, ensuring the execution of the commands desired by the attacker on the target system. Therefore, an exploit represents a practically applicable method of abuse rather than a theoretical explanation. Furthermore, the distinguishing feature of zero-day exploits is that they are developed before any security patch is released. Even if the existence of the vulnerability is known, the gap becomes directly usable on the system thanks to the exploit code.
2.
What is a Zero-Day Attack?
So, what is a zero-day attack? A zero-day attack is a type of attack carried out by actively using a security vulnerability that has not yet been resolved by the software manufacturer and for which no security patch has been released. These attacks carry high risk because they occur before a solution is offered, even if the existence of the vulnerability is known. The goal in a zero-day attack is usually to gain unauthorized access to systems or bypass existing security mechanisms. The fundamental factor that elevates these attacks to a critical risk level is that traditional signature-based security solutions remain insufficient in detecting this as-yet-undefined threat. For this reason, it is quite difficult to detect attacks in advance. Security solutions that work based on known threat types can only notice zero-day attacks when post-attack behaviors emerge. This situation can cause the impact of the attack to spread in a short time.
Features of a Zero-Day Attack
It is possible to see the features of a zero-day attack in the list below.
- It is carried out through a vulnerability for which a security patch has not yet been released.
- It is difficult to be detected in advance by traditional signature-based security systems.
- It is usually planned in a targeted manner and contains a more complex structure compared to random attacks.
- The attack can be designed to remain undetected within the system for a long time.
- It utilizes unknown or unexpected system behaviors to bypass existing security measures.
- The attack process can proceed in a staged and controlled manner rather than as a one-time operation.
3.
What Needs to Be Done to Protect Against Zero-Day Attacks
No matter how automated systems are, it will not be possible to completely eliminate zero-day vulnerabilities based on human error. The critical point here is to perform regular vulnerability scans, apply manufacturer patches as soon as they are released (Patch Management), and activate preventive measures such as Virtual Patching in the pre-patch period. Considering scenarios that could be caused by previously unseen security vulnerabilities, focusing solely on preventive security solutions may not be sufficient. At this point, disaster recovery services, which ensure that systems can be quickly restored to operation after a possible zero-day attack, also play a critical role. Disaster recovery solutions aim to minimize data loss, ensure business continuity, and keep the operational effects of unexpected security incidents under control. Therefore, while adopting a holistic security approach against zero-day threats, evaluating disaster recovery plans as an integral part of the strategy will be extremely beneficial. You can see details on how you can protect yourself from zero-day attacks in the list below.
- Subjecting software and systems to regular Patch Management processes and deploying updates to live environments after testing
- Monitoring abnormal system activities with behavioral-based security solutions
- Configuring authorization and access controls according to the principle of least privilege
- Effective use of logging and monitoring mechanisms for early detection of security incidents
- Including disaster recovery services in the security strategy to ensure rapid system recovery after a possible zero-day attack
In addition to the topic of what is a Zero-day vulnerability, our article titled What is Phishing? Things to Know for Data Security might also interest you.
4.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a zero-day vulnerability and a zero-day attack?
A zero-day vulnerability refers to a security weakness that has not yet been resolved by the software manufacturer. A zero-day attack is the action carried out by actively using this vulnerability. While the vulnerability represents the potential, the attack is the realization of this potential.
Does a zero-day exploit always turn into an attack?
Not every zero-day exploit necessarily means it will result in an attack. However, the existence of an exploit indicates that the security vulnerability is exploitable. Therefore, exploits are critical risk factors that must be detected before an attack occurs.
Why are zero-day attacks difficult to detect with traditional security solutions?
Traditional security solutions mostly rely on known threat signatures. Since zero-day attacks occur through previously undefined vulnerabilities, it is generally not possible for such systems to recognize them in advance.
Which systems do zero-day attacks target?
Zero-day attacks can target various systems, including operating systems, web applications, network devices, and enterprise software. Especially widely used systems hosting critical business processes are more attractive targets for these attacks.
Why are disaster recovery services important in the face of zero-day attacks?
When zero-day attacks cannot be prevented in advance, it is of great importance to get systems back up and running quickly. Disaster recovery services help control the impact of such unexpected security incidents by aiming to reduce data loss and ensure business continuity.
