What Is an Exploit?

With the explosion of computer peripherals, software advances, edge computing, and cloud computing, there has also been an explosion of vulnerabilities open to exploit. 

But what is an exploit? 

An exploit (in its noun form) is a segment of code or a program that maliciously takes advantage of vulnerabilities or security flaws in software or hardware to infiltrate and initiate a denial-of-service (DoS) attack or install malware, such as spyware, ransomware, Trojan horses, worms, or viruses. So the exploit is not the malware itself but is used to deliver the malware. To exploit (in its verb form) is to successfully carry out such an attack.

When developers produce an operating system (OS) for a device, write code for software, or develop an application, bugs often appear due to inherent imperfections. These bugs can create a vulnerability in the system, and an exploit searches out such vulnerabilities and looks for a way to exploit databases and networks or systems. 

If the bug is not reported and “patched,” it becomes an entryway, so to speak, for cyber criminals to conduct an exploit. With so many devices connected together in the modern world, as in the Internet of Things (IoT), for example, an exploit does not just compromise a singular device, but it can become a security vulnerability for a whole network.

This is a previously unknown exploit or an unknown opportunity for an exploit due to vulnerabilities. Anticipating zero-day exploits is crucial to developing patches or other strategies for mitigating the vulnerability or threat.

Known vulnerabilities have been identified and documented. Patches and other “fixes” can be issued, but cyber criminals can also get hold of the documentation and design an exploit. The main risk factor is that organizations often do not apply the patch or repair an issue quickly enough to eliminate a vulnerability.

Exploit kits silently and automatically seek to exploit any vulnerabilities identified on a user’s machine when they are web browsing. They are largely automated in nature and have become the preferred method for the distribution of remote access tools (RATs) or mass malware by cyber criminals, especially those seeking to profit from an exploit. 

Often, the goal is to gain control of devices in a simplified and automated manner. A sequence of events takes place within an exploit kit for the attack to be successful. It starts with a redirect to a landing page, followed by the execution of the exploit, and finally, the delivery of the payload, gaining control of the host. 

Exploit kits can also be used in penetration testing to evaluate the security of the system. For example, the Fortinet exploit kit is used to run a simulation exercise on a system to detect vulnerabilities.

There are multiple issues that can cause a machine or system to run slowly, and infection as the result of an exploit is one of them. So if you are used to seeing fast performance, and your device slows suddenly as if bogged down, it may be due to a malware infection.

Freezing, crashing, and the dreaded blue screen of death can all be caused by technical issues due to incompatibility between hardware and software, but malware infections can also be the cause.

Unusual behavior and changes you do not recall making, such as a changed default homepage in your browser, can be annoying, but they can be much more than annoying if caused by malicious software or unauthorized access.

Numerous pop-ups can disguise concealed malware threats, and annoying ads may actually be monitoring your browsing activity, hoping to collect data and passwords. Unsolicited emails and special offers may also be concealing similar intent.

Rapid, sudden loss of storage space can be the result of several underlying issues, but infection with malware is a primary reason and must be investigated before being eliminated as a possible cause.

The Fortinet database security service can offer protection against threats that may exploit vulnerable email servers by using powerful antispam protection. It can deliver dynamic protection by monitoring your database activity, provide expert remediation advice, and help identify vulnerabilities using automated detection, alerting your organization promptly to reduce security threats. 

Additional services include keeping track of policies according to predefined parameters and then generating reports containing the pertinent policy information that had existed at the time of the original scan. The Fortinet exploit protection will help identify vulnerabilities and secure your organization against database exploits. 

An exploit is a segment of code or a program that maliciously takes advantage of vulnerabilities in software or hardware to infiltrate and initiate an attack.

Bugs can create a vulnerability in the system, and an exploit searches out such vulnerabilities and looks for a way to exploit databases and networks or systems.

Some exploit types include hardware, software, network, personnel, and physical site exploits.

Exploits occur remotely, locally, or client-based.

Exploit kits silently and automatically seek to exploit any vulnerabilities identified on a user’s machine when they are web browsing. They are largely automated in nature and have become the preferred method for the distribution of remote access tools (RATs) or mass malware by cyber criminals, especially those seeking to profit from an exploit.