Unpatched Vulnerabilities

What Are Unpatched Vulnerabilities?

An Unpatched Vulnerability refers to a recognized security weakness in software, an operating system, or an application that has not been remedied (patched) with the most recent update or security patch.

These vulnerabilities are widely known — which increases their potential danger.

Why They’re So Risky

• Attackers are aware of them.

• Solutions are available — yet have not been implemented.

• Automated tools scour the internet specifically to identify unpatched systems.

Indeed, some of the most significant cyberattacks in history — such as WannaCry and the Equifax data breach — occurred due to unpatched software.

Real-World Examples

• EternalBlue (2017)

Microsoft issued a patch, but numerous systems disregarded it — resulting in the WannaCry ransomware incident.

• Equifax Breach (2017)

Unpatched Apache Struts vulnerability → 147 million individuals’ data was compromised.

• Log4Shell (2021)

A severe vulnerability in Log4j, a widely used Java logging library. Even after the patch was made available, millions of systems continued to be vulnerable.

How to Prevent Unpatched Vulnerabilities

• Enable Automatic Updates

Ensure that the OS, applications, plugins, and firmware are consistently updated.

• Regularly Patch Manually (if needed)

For enterprise systems, establish monthly or weekly patching schedules.

• Use a Patch Management Tool

Utilize tools such as WSUS, SCCM, or cloud-based platforms to assist in tracking and automating patches across various systems.

• Monitor for CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures)

Stay informed about the latest critical CVEs that pertain to your technology stack.

• Inventory Everything

Be aware of the software you are operating — if you are unaware of its existence, you will not patch it.

• Prioritize Critical Vulnerabilities

Address high-severity issues first (particularly those with public exploits).

Pro Tip

Patch Tuesday is preferable to Breach Wednesday.

It is more efficient (and cost-effective) to apply patches than to deal with the aftermath of a cyberattack.

#UnpatchedVulnerabilities #PatchNow #CyberSecurity #InfoSec #VulnerabilityManagement ADITH AJITHKUMAR Shonith Mohan TBH