List of the Most Severe Security Flaws
Unpatched vulnerabilities continue to pose a significant threat to the digital landscape, according to industry research. This trend is often attributed to staffing issues and prioritisation challenges, as revealed by a survey by ServiceNow.
One of the most infamous vulnerabilities is MS14-068, a flaw in Microsoft Kerberos that allowed attackers to elevate unprivileged domain user account privileges. This vulnerability, reported by Rapid7, highlights the potential danger of unpatched software.
Another notable vulnerability is CVE-2008-1447, also known as the Kaminsky Bug. This DNS vulnerability, sourced from Duo Security, allowed attackers to send users to malicious sites and impersonate any legitimate website, potentially stealing data.
In 2003, MS02-039, or the SQL Slammer, caused a denial of service on some internet hosts and dramatically slowed down general internet traffic. ESET We Live Security reported on this incident, underscoring the impact of unpatched vulnerabilities.
Recent years have seen a series of critical remote code execution (RCE) flaws in various products, including Cisco Identity Services Engine, Cisco Unified Communications Manager, and several others from Citrix, Fortinet, N-able, and Trend Micro. These vulnerabilities, reported by security researchers and organisations, have posed significant threats to companies worldwide.
MS17-010, more commonly known as Eternal Blue, was part of the most costly attacks in history, including WannaCry and NotPetya. Microsoft has confirmed its role in these attacks.
Spectre/Meltdown, speculative execution bugs, have driven new areas of hardware security. These bugs, sourced from the Meltdown Attack, have highlighted the need for a holistic approach to cybersecurity.
MS08-067, a Windows SMB vulnerability, is over 10-years-old and is still seen in older networks with legacy gear. The SANS Institute has reported on its continued presence, emphasising the need for regular patching.
MS01-023, or Nimda, was a package of Microsoft IIS exploits released a week after the 9/11 attacks. This vulnerability, sourced from Microsoft, serves as a reminder of the potential for cyber threats in times of global upheaval.
CVE-2014-0160, or Heartbleed, is a vulnerability in the OpenSSL code that handles the Heartbeat extension for TLS/DTLS. Synopsys reported on this vulnerability, which could allow an attacker to read the memory of the affected systems.
CVE-2014-6271, or Shellshock, is a remote code execution vulnerability that affected Bash and could allow an attacker to gain control over a targeted computer if exploited successfully. Symantec reported on this vulnerability, underscoring the need for regular software updates.
In 2019, vulnerabilities were a significant security trend. CVE-2019-0708, or BlueKeep, was first spotted exploiting in November 2019. If widely exploited, it could have severe consequences, Fortinet has predicted.
As we look to the future, it is clear that the fight against cyber threats is an ongoing battle. Regular patching, prioritisation of security threats, and a holistic approach to cybersecurity will be key in maintaining a secure digital landscape.
