In the realm of cybersecurity, an exploit [1] refers to a software tool designed to take advantage of a flaw in a computer system, typically for malicious purposes such as installing malware. Exploits can be classified into several types, each with unique characteristics and impacts.
Types of Exploits
Next, we will see a general classification of the most commonly used exploits:
- Zero-Day Exploits [2]: These are exploits for vulnerabilities that are unknown to the software vendor at the time of exploitation.
- Kernel Exploits : These exploits target vulnerabilities in the kernel of an operating system, allowing the attacker to execute arbitrary code with kernel-level permissions.
- Web Application Exploits [3]: These exploits target vulnerabilities in web applications, such as SQL injection or Cross-Site Scripting (XSS).
Recent Notable Exploits
While there are countless exploits utilized by cybercriminals, some recent notable ones include EternalBlue [4], a Windows exploit used in the WannaCry ransomware attack, and Heartbleed [5], a serious vulnerability in the OpenSSL cryptographic software library.
References
- [1] Brian Donohue, “What is an Exploit?” Kaspersky, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.kaspersky.com/blog/exploit/2027/. [Accessed on: 06 Feb 2024].
- [2] Clare Stouffer, “What is a zero-day exploit? Definition and prevention tips” Norton, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://us.norton.com/blog/emerging-threats/zero-day-exploit. [Accessed on: 06 Feb 2024].
- [3] “Web Application Security” Imperva, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/web-application-security/. [Accessed on: 06 Feb 2024].
- [4] Nadav Grossman, “Eternalblue – Everything there is to know” Check Point Research, 2017. [Online]. Available: https://research.checkpoint.com/2017/eternalblue-everything-know/. [Accessed on: 06 Feb 2024].
- [5] “The Heartbleed Bug” Heartbleed, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://heartbleed.com/. [Accessed on: 06 Feb 2024].