What are zero-day vulnerabilities?

Zero-day vulnerabilities refer to unknown flaws in software that have not yet been discovered or patched by the vendor at the time of their identification. These vulnerabilities are particularly critical because they can be exploited by attackers before the software vendor has a chance to develop and distribute a patch to address the issue. The term "zero-day" denotes that the vendor has had zero days to fix the flaw since its discovery, making it a high-risk situation for users and systems that rely on that software.

The high stakes associated with zero-day vulnerabilities stem from their hidden nature, meaning that no defense mechanisms are in place when they are first discovered. Effective mitigation involves ongoing vigilance through security assessments and updates, as well as employing protective measures such as intrusion detection systems and user education. Understanding the nature of zero-day vulnerabilities is crucial in developing a robust security posture to protect against potential exploitation.