Google recently released a report detailing the rise in zero-day exploits in 2023, with a total of 97 vulnerabilities being actively exploited in-the-wild. This marks a significant increase of over 50% compared to 2022, although it falls short of the record set in 2021 with 106 exploits.
In a collaborative effort, Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) and Mandiant worked together to compile the report, shedding light on the growing threat of zero-day vulnerabilities. Google CEO Sundar Pichai shared the news on social media, highlighting the positive impact of investments in cybersecurity.
The report emphasized the importance of addressing zero-day vulnerabilities, which are essentially security loopholes in computer systems that are unknown to their owners or developers. These vulnerabilities are often exploited by hackers to launch attacks on individuals and businesses.
According to the report, end-user platform vendors such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft have made significant investments in cybersecurity, resulting in a decrease in common vulnerabilities over the years. However, businesses are still facing a growing number of attacks targeting a wide range of software and tools, including enterprise technologies.
The teams behind the report have seen success in quickly patching attacker exploits, limiting their effectiveness. Moving forward, the challenge lies in extending this strategy to a broader range of vendors who are increasingly becoming targets of cyber attacks. The report serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against cyber threats and the importance of staying vigilant in the face of evolving cybersecurity risks.
