The ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape now pits exploit kits against patch cycles, making time the critical battleground. Since a majority of cybercriminals exploit systems within 48 hours of discovering a vulnerability, organizations must apply patches within that period, or less.
Below, we explore exploit kits, patch cycles, the 48-hour gap, and actions organizations can take today to protect their critical systems from intrusion and mitigate any potential damages they may have incurred from exploitation.
Exploit Kits (EKs) Explained
An exploit kit is automated malicious software designed to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, programs, and applications. Once an EK identifies a vulnerability in a computer system, it delivers a payload that compromises it. Common EKs include banking trojans, spyware, and, most recently, ransomware.
Malicious actors and hacker networks sell EKs on the dark web as “crimeware-as-a-service,” pricing them for as low as $80 per day. With such accessibility, relatively unsophisticated cybercriminals can launch devastating attacks on businesses and organizations.
How Exploit Kits Work
Different EKs deliver varying threats, but all follow a similar attack chain template. The chain works this way:
- Delivery
Cybercriminals lure potential victims into downloading an exploit kit. They do this using baiting mechanisms such as compromised websites, phishing emails, malicious advertisements, and fake downloads. - Vulnerability Scanning
If automated anti-malware software fails to prevent the exploit from working, the EK scans systems for unpatched vulnerabilities in browsers, plugins, applications, and operating systems. - Exploitation
Once the kit finds a vulnerability, it exploits the code and gains unauthorized access to systems. - Payload Delivery
The kit downloads the payload into systems, often installing ransomware or a banking trojan. - Command and Control
Using the payload as a hook, compromised systems connect to servers controlled by an attacker. Thereafter, attackers can steal data or take other malicious actions.
Patch Cycles: How They Work
A patch cycle involves identifying, releasing, testing, and applying software updates or patches to fix common vulnerabilities. Patches also enhance business system security and improve how systems, applications, and devices function. Patch cycles enhance cybersecurity, preventing EKs from delivering devastating payloads into systems.
Benefits of Regular Patch Cycles
Regular patch cycles can have a positive impact on cybersecurity postures in the following ways:
- Rapid patching reduces exposure to common EK attacks, and when vulnerabilities are exposed, patches help prevent cybercriminals from exploiting vulnerabilities further.
- Patches can resolve common performance issues, improving the efficiency and performance of key computing tasks in businesses.
- Regular patching keeps organizations compliant with data safety and security regulations.
The 48-Hour Exposure Gap
In 2024, cybercriminals launched attacks within 48 hours of discovering a vulnerability in target systems, according to SonicWall’s Annual Cyber Threat Report. Furthermore, 28.3% of hackers use new exploit code within 24 hours, rising to 61% within 48 hours.
Additionally, SonicWall identified over 211,000 unprecedented malware variants, about 638 new threats daily.
These concerning statistics demonstrate the importance of patching vulnerabilities within 48 hours of disclosure. A quick patch can be the difference between proper mitigation and damaging losses to businesses.
Strategies to Close the 48-Hour Exposure Gap
Once a vulnerability is exposed, organizations have no option but to race against the clock to patch it before cybercriminals exploit it. Here are five strategies to help fix system vulnerabilities or mitigate any potential losses:
- Prioritize Frequent Patching for Critical Vulnerabilities
Download and apply patches to all critical systems in businesses as soon as vendors deploy them. Give priority to critical updates that patch systems where working exploit kits exist, especially for internet-facing systems. A rapid response to critical vulnerabilities can be the difference between deterrence and massive business losses.
- Leverage Automated Patch Management Tools
Use automated tools to take the guesswork out of patch management for businesses. Automated patch management tools compress remediation windows, which can be a matter of hours after the discovery of a potentially detrimental system flaw or vulnerability.
Organizations with continuous Integration/Continuous Development (CI/CD) practices can benefit the most from automated patch management, even as they deliver frequent software updates to other users.
- Implement Proactive Cybersecurity Measures
Adopt continuous penetration testing and automated red teaming to identify existing vulnerabilities and harden systems before criminals can exploit them. A proactive approach ensures entire IT teams remain ready to identify, isolate, and remediate potential future exploits. It also helps organizations anticipate attacks and deter them before they happen.
- Test Patches Thoroughly
Create test environments that mirror production system functionality, where patches can be validated for compatibility and stability before deployment. Unless tested, patches may sometimes cause system instability or disrupt operations. Testing them ensures business continuity by anticipating and preventing interruptions caused by the patching process.
- Create Effective Change Freeze Protocols
Ensure systems can implement security patches within 48 hours of a vulnerability discovery, even when protocols restrict system changes. If organizations use change freezes, ensure they use vendor-provided mitigation strategies or alternative tools to ensure patches are deployed for security continuity, even during high-risk periods.
Further Ways to Bridge the 48-Hour Patching Cycle Gap
Using patch cycles in organizations can be an effective measure against exploit kits, especially if employed within 48 hours. However, there are additional strategies to explore in remediation:
- Use virtual patching to block exploit attempts without modifying the underlying software. Virtual patching uses Intrusion Prevention Systems and Web Application Firewalls as a temporary shield until a full patch is deployed.
- Deploy Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) tools to protect applications against intrusion at runtime. RASP tools can detect and block unusual behavior and exploit attempts even for unpatched vulnerabilities.
- Install deception technologies, such as honeypots and decoy systems that misdirect attackers, delaying or diverting exploit attempts while patches are applied.
- Apply compensating controls that disable or restrict access to vulnerable software features, especially where patches are temporarily unavailable or for zero-day vulnerabilities.
