Exploit (computer security): Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:49, 12 August 2024

Revision as of 23:55, 12 August 2024

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Common targets for exploits include operating systems, [[web browsers]], and various applications, where hidden vulnerabilities can be exploited to compromise the integrity and [[Computer security|security]] of [[computer systems]].

Exploits can cause unintended or unanticipated behavior in systems, potentially leading to severe [[security breaches]].<ref>{{cite web | last = Latto | first = Nica | title = Exploits: What You Need to Know | website = Exploits: What You Need to Know | date = 2020-09-29 | url = https://www.avast.com/c-exploits | access-date = 2024-08-12 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240515153218/https://www.avast.com/c-exploits | archivedate = 2024-05-15 | url-status = live | quote = An exploit is any attack that takes advantage of vulnerabilities in applications, networks, operating systems, or hardware. Exploits usually take the form of software or code that aims to take control of computers or steal network data. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Exploit Definition | website = Malwarebytes | date = 2024-04-15 | url = https://www.malwarebytes.com/exploits | access-date = 2024-08-12 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240516063544/https://www.malwarebytes.com/exploits | archivedate = 2024-05-16 | url-status = live | quote = A computer exploit is a type of malware that takes advantage of bugs or vulnerabilities, which cybercriminals use to gain illicit access to a system. These vulnerabilities are hidden in the code of the operating system and its applications just waiting to be discovered and put to use by cybercriminals. Commonly exploited software includes the operating system itself, browsers, Microsoft Office, and third-party applications. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = What Is an Exploit? | website = Cisco | date = 2023-10-06 | url = https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/advanced-malware-protection/what-is-exploit.html | access-date = 2024-08-12 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240531021442/https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/security/advanced-malware-protection/what-is-exploit.html | archivedate = 2024-05-31 | url-status = live | quote = An exploit is a program, or piece of code, designed to find and take advantage of a security flaw or vulnerability in an application or computer system, typically for malicious purposes such as installing malware. An exploit is not malware itself, but rather it is a method used by cybercriminals to deliver malware.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | last = Gonzalez | first = Joaquin Jay III | last2 = Kemp | first2 = Roger L. | title = Cybersecurity: Current Writings on Threats and Protection | publisher = McFarland & Company | publication-place = Jefferson, North Carolina | date = 2019-01-25 | isbn = 978-1-4766-3541-5 | page = 241 | url = https://books.google.co.th/books?id=yyqFDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA241&lpg=PA241&dq=%22A+technique+to+breach+the+security+of+a+network+or+information+system+in+violation+of+security+policy%22&ots=J6AejpcRHx&sig=ACfU3U0EoNbNEI0_wB1oBlWWLFd1TViycQ&hl=en#v=onepage&q=%22A%20technique%20to%20breach%20the%20security%20of%20a%20network%20or%20information%20system%20in%20violation%20of%20security%20policy%22&f=false | quote = A technique to breach the security of a network or information system in violation of security policy.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = OWASP Secure Coding Practices | website = OWASP Foundation | url = https://owasp.org/www-project-secure-coding-practices-quick-reference-guide/stable-en/03-appendices/05-glossary | access-date = 2024-08-12 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240106035619/https://owasp.org/www-project-secure-coding-practices-quick-reference-guide/stable-en/03-appendices/05-glossary | archivedate = 2024-01-06 | url-status = live | quote = To take advantage of a vulnerability. Typically this is an intentional action designed to compromise the software's security controls by leveraging a vulnerability.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Obtain Capabilities: Exploits, Sub-technique T1588.005 | website = MITRE ATT&CK® | date = 2020-10-15 | url = https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1588/005/ | access-date = 2024-08-12 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20240524110426/https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1588/005/ | archivedate = 2024-05-24 | url-status = live | quote = Adversaries may buy, steal, or download exploits that can be used during targeting. An exploit takes advantage of a bug or vulnerability in order to cause unintended or unanticipated behavior to occur on computer hardware or software. }}</ref>

Many exploits are designed to provide superuser-level access to a computer system. However, it is also possible to use several exploits, first to gain low-level access, then to escalate privileges repeatedly until one reaches the highest administrative level (often called "root"). In this case the attacker is chaining several exploits together to perform one attack, this is known as an exploit chain.

After an exploit is made known to the authors of the affected software, the vulnerability is often fixed through a patch and the exploit becomes unusable. That is the reason why some [[Black hat hacking|black hat]] [[Hacker (computer security)|hackers]] as well as military or intelligence agencies' hackers do not publish their exploits but keep them private. Exploits unknown to everyone except the people that found and developed them are referred to as ''[[Zero-day (computing)|zero day]] or “0day” exploits''.

Researchers have estimated that malicious exploits cost the global economy over $450 billion every year. In response, organizations are using [[cyber threat intelligence]] to find their vulnerabilities and preventing hacks before they happen.<ref>{{Cite journal | last1 = Indiana University, Bloomington | last2 = Samtani | first2 = Sagar | last3 = Chai | first3 = Yidong | last4 = Hefei University of Technology | last5 = Chen | first5 = Hsinchun | last6 = University of Arizona | date = 2022-05-24 | title = Linking Exploits from the Dark Web to Known Vulnerabilities for Proactive Cyber Threat Intelligence: An Attention-Based Deep Structured Semantic Model | url = https://misq.umn.edu/linking-exploits-from-the-dark-web-to-known-vulnerabilities-for-proactive-cyber-threat-intelligence-an-attention-based-deep-structured-semantic-model.html | journal = MIS Quarterly | volume = 46 | issue = 2 | pages = 911–946 | doi = 10.25300/MISQ/2022/15392}}</ref>

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Another classification is by the action against the vulnerable system; unauthorized data access, arbitrary code execution, and denial of service are examples.

Many exploits are designed to provide superuser-level access to a computer system. However, it is also possible to use several exploits, first to gain low-level access, then to escalate privileges repeatedly until one reaches the highest administrative level (often called "root"). In this case the attacker is chaining several exploits together to perform one attack, this is known as an exploit chain.

After an exploit is made known to the authors of the affected software, the vulnerability is often fixed through a patch and the exploit becomes unusable. That is the reason why some [[Black hat hacking|black hat]] [[Hacker (computer security)|hackers]] as well as military or intelligence agencies' hackers do not publish their exploits but keep them private.

Exploits unknown to everyone except the people that found and developed them are referred to as ''[[Zero-day (computing)|zero day]] or “0day” exploits''.

===Types===