Google’s 2024 Zero-Day Report: Fewer Hacks, But More Tricks Up Cybercriminals’ Sleeves!
Google’s Threat Intelligence Group found 75 zero-day vulnerabilities in 2024, down from 98 in 2023. Chrome remains the most targeted browser, hinting at its fame. Most attacks targeted mobile devices, especially Android. About 45% of exploits were state-sponsored. Clearly, zero-day vulnerabilities are the “it” trend in cybercrime circles!
Hot Take:
Google’s latest report on zero-day vulnerabilities is the cybersecurity equivalent of a rollercoaster ride – up, down, and with plenty of unexpected twists! With fewer zero-days compared to last year, it seems like cybercriminals were on a diet, but they still managed to give enterprises and end-users a run for their money. In 2024, it appears the bad guys decided to take a holiday from Safari and iOS and focused their attention on Windows and Chrome. Meanwhile, Android took a beating like a piñata at a kid’s birthday party, with threat actors exploiting third-party components like there was no tomorrow. Oh, and let’s not forget about those poor enterprise products – they might as well have had a sign saying “Hack Me!” on their backs. It seems state-sponsored actors and commercial surveillance vendors were having a field day, treating zero-days like Pokémon – gotta catch ’em all! Perhaps next year, we can hope for a decrease in vulnerabilities and an increase in cybersecurity naps.
Key Points:
– Google tracked 75 zero-day vulnerabilities in 2024, a decrease from 98 in 2023.
– Enterprise technologies and end-user products were both impacted, with Windows and Chrome being prime targets.
– 90% of exploits targeting mobile devices involved multiple vulnerabilities.
– 45% of the zero-days were linked to state-sponsored threat actors.
– Commercial surveillance vendors and financially motivated groups were also significant players.