How the 2023 Time-to-Exploit Trends Reinforce the Need for Proactive Vulnerability Management

In today’s cybersecurity landscape, there’s a growing trend that CISOs and security teams can no longer afford to ignore: the rapid exploitation of newly discovered vulnerabilities. A recent study by Google Cloud's Mandiant Threat Intelligence team analyzed 138 vulnerabilities exploited in 2023, revealing some eye-opening trends regarding the speed and severity with which these flaws are exploited. Let’s dive into the key takeaways from the study and explore how HeroDevs' approach helps businesses stay one step ahead of these threats.

2023: The Year of the Zero-Day Surge

One of the most striking findings from the study is the growing gap between zero-day and n-day exploits. In 2023, 70% of the exploited vulnerabilities Mandiant tracked were zero-days, meaning they were exploited before a patch was even made available. That’s a significant increase from previous years, and it indicates that attackers are getting faster at discovering and weaponizing vulnerabilities before vendors can even respond.

Here are some numbers to give context:

• 97 of the 138 exploited vulnerabilities analyzed were zero-days.
• The average time-to-exploit (TTE) for vulnerabilities has plummeted to just 5 days, down from 63 days in 2018.
• In contrast, n-day vulnerabilities (those exploited after patches are available) are being attacked faster, and 56% were exploited within a month of patch release.

While the study only focused on a select group of vulnerabilities, it’s a microcosm of the broader cybersecurity picture. The trend is clear: attackers are getting faster, and the window for patching vulnerabilities is shrinking.

What This Means for Businesses

For organizations still using end-of-life (EOL) software, these statistics should raise a red flag. If attackers are finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in modern, supported software within days of discovery, the risks are even greater for unsupported systems. EOL software often lacks critical security updates, leaving businesses wide open to these fast-moving threats.

In this environment, traditional patching cycles simply can’t keep up. Businesses need to be proactive, not reactive when it comes to vulnerability management.

HeroDevs: Patching Before the Public Even Knows

At HeroDevs, we’ve recognized this challenge, and it’s why we’ve built our approach around proactive vulnerability scanning and remediation. As a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA), we have unique insight into vulnerabilities before they’re officially disclosed. In many cases, we’re already working on patches before a CVE is made public, helping our clients avoid zero-day exploits altogether.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Proactive scanning: We don’t wait for a vulnerability to hit the headlines. Our team routinely scans,analyzes framework threat models and performs our own research for flaws in EOL software to ensure we find and fix vulnerabilities early.
• Pre-emptive patching: By the time a CVE becomes public knowledge, our clients are often already patched and protected. This means the typical zero-day risk is minimized or even eliminated entirely.
• EOL software specialists: Our focus is on supporting systems that are no longer officially maintained, providing critical security updates and peace of mind to organizations still relying on legacy tech.

Why Waiting Isn’t an Option

The Mandiant study highlights a critical truth: the days of waiting for a quarterly patch cycle are over. With an average TTE of just five days, businesses must adopt a more aggressive approach to vulnerability management. Zero-day exploits are no longer the exception. They’re becoming the rule. For organizations using EOL software, that’s a serious risk.

At HeroDevs, we’re proud to be on the front lines, ensuring our clients are protected from these threats. Whether it’s catching vulnerabilities before they become public or providing long-term support for EOL systems, we’re here to ensure your business stays secure in an increasingly fast-paced cybersecurity world.

Final Thoughts

The cybersecurity landscape is changing rapidly, and businesses must evolve their vulnerability management approach. The data from 2023 shows that attackers aren’t slowing down, in fact, they’re getting faster. The stakes have never been higher for organizations still relying on outdated systems.

At HeroDevs, we’re committed to helping businesses stay secure, even in the face of these growing challenges. By staying ahead of vulnerabilities and providing pre-emptive patches, we’re giving our clients the protection they need to navigate this ever-shrinking window of risk.

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