How The Zero-Day Vulnerability List – 2019 Can Help Organizations Keep Their Information Systems Secure
It would be great to have perfect software in this world. Unfortunately, no software can lay claim to the distinction of being perfect in all respects. There is always scope for improvement. There will always be certain vulnerabilities or threats. Hence, you have software developers always on the lookout for such threats that could end up damaging the user’s reputation and prospects. Vulnerabilities identified too late in a software solution, i.e., when the software has already been released and is in extensive use, and many times only after it has been attacked and exploited by hackers, and hence leaving virtually no scope for a deadline for the developers to create a patch are known as ‘zero-day vulnerabilities’ in the industry.
Zero-Day Vulnerability List – 2019: How Does It Help?
There are specific websites that release a list of zero-day vulnerabilities regularly. Some of the sources for a list of such Zero-Day Vulnerability List – 2019 can be found at:
We have seen the definition of a zero-day vulnerability. Every month, you receive this list of vulnerabilities that have been identified and reported. Not every vulnerability in this list can be severe. However, you never know which loophole the hacker could exploit. Hence, software developers go on to repair the threat by writing a patch-up program, also known as an update to the existing software. On successful running of the patch-up program, the vulnerability gets addressed, thereby making it secure.
The zero-day vulnerability list 2019, consists of all such identified and reported vulnerabilities in 2019. Some of these vulnerabilities can go on to become zero-day attacks, as well, if left unaddressed. The case of Google Chrome, which came to light at the end of October, is an example of one of the most recent zero-day attacks.
What Information Does The Zero-Day Vulnerability List – 2019 Provide?
The zero-day vulnerability list -2019 contains the following details.
Unique ID – Every zero-day vulnerability gets an individual ID.
Type – It lists out the kind of vulnerability such as SQL, Overflow, and so on.
Publishing Date – The date of reporting the threat is the publishing date.
Update Date – Usually, software developers write the patch-up program before the threat assumes dangerous proportions. This field contains the date when the software developer updates the software, thereby nullifying the threat.
Score – It signifies the severity of the threat.
The list also contains the name of the affected vendor, thereby enabling end-users to go through the list and understand the same.
How Are Zero-Day Attacks Discovered?
Wondered, how are zero day attacks discovered?
Usually, the software developers themselves identify these vulnerabilities because they regularly scout for such imperfections in the software to make the system as tamper-proof as possible.
Ethical hackers can also identify such threats and report them. There are reward programs announced by software developers to members of the public for identifying such vulnerabilities.
Sometimes it is the user that notices an error or something strange with any of the functions they use or something suspicious happening to their confidential or financial information.
When Does A Zero-day Vulnerability Turn Into A Zero-day Attack?
Just as software developers look for deficiencies, cybercriminals are at the job, as well. At times, hackers can also identify these threats. They can go on to introduce malicious programs by exploiting the vulnerability to cause damage to the end-users. Such exploitations by cybercriminals are referred to as zero-day attacks. Referring to a list of recent zero-day attacks – 2019 for the information on the extent and magnitude of damages caused could leave anyone astonished.
Zero-Day Attack Example
We shall now try to understand the repercussions of a zero-day vulnerability by looking at Dridex Banker Trojan as a specific zero-day attack example.
Hackers introduced the Dridex Banker Trojan malware to exploit an unpatched and vulnerable version of the MS Word Software in early 2017. It is a Trojan Horse malicious computer program that appears as a genuine software until you install it on an electronic device. On installation, the malicious software gains access to your files and systems. This malware redirects traffic from your banking and other financial websites to a hacker website that your attacker has access to. It can collect your user IDs and passwords, thereby exposing you to financial risk.
McAfee noticed this zero-day attack and notified Microsoft in April 2017, who developed a patch program to get rid of the Dridex Banker Trojan. However, the virus had done its damage by compromising the financial data of millions of users it targeted since January 2017.
Zero-Day Protection – Measures To Combat The Situation
- Anyone can identify the vulnerability and inform it to the software developer. Ethical hackers and computer professionals are the best people equipped with the knowledge to identify such threats.
- Software developers are also always on the lookout for such vulnerabilities following the release of their software.
- The ideal way to deal with the situation is to write a patch program to update the software.
Zero-Day Attack Prevention – What The User Should Do
Software developers go all out for offering zero-day protection by introducing patch programs to update their software. Users are responsible for updating their systems whenever there is an update available from the developer. Here are the steps to be taken for zero-day attack prevention.
- Install the latest version of reputed anti-virus software in your systems and servers.
- Users should go through the Zero-day vulnerability list – 2019 from time to time.
- The essential safeguard measure a user can take is to update the software immediately without fail whenever the developer releases any updates.
Final Words
An average user cannot do much if he/she becomes a victim of zero-day attacks. It is because the software developers themselves are not aware of the vulnerability at a particular instant. However, the developers go through the zero-day vulnerability list – 2019 at frequent intervals to know about any zero-day attack on their software. It enables them to come up with a patch program that helps to rectify the fault and keep your information systems secure.
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