Google’s latest analysis has uncovered a notable increase in zero-day vulnerabilities, with 97 zero-day exploits identified in 2023, surpassing the previous year’s count. While this number is lower than the record high set in 2021, it has sparked concerns within the cybersecurity community.
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) and Mandiant have jointly released the “We’re All in this Together: A Year in Review of Zero-Days Exploited In-the-Wild in 2023” report. This comprehensive review delves into the landscape of zero-day exploits and provides actionable insights and recommendations for improving digital security. It also highlights the importance of vendor investments in tackling zero-day threats.
Leading players like Apple, Google, and Microsoft have made significant progress in strengthening their platforms against exploitation. Notably, Google’s MiraclePtr and Apple’s Lockdown mode for iOS have proven to be effective measures in thwarting exploit attempts.
Despite advancements in end-user platforms, attackers are now targeting third-party components and libraries to exploit vulnerabilities that can impact multiple products.
Commercial surveillance vendors (CSVs) have emerged as key players in browser and mobile device exploitation, accounting for 75 percent of known zero-day exploits targeting Google products and devices within the Android ecosystem. Furthermore, government-backed exploitation, particularly by the People’s Republic of China (PRC), continues to pose significant threats, with cyber espionage groups exploiting 12 zero-day vulnerabilities in 2023.
The report offers several recommendations for individuals and organizations to enhance their security posture. It emphasizes transparency, prioritization of threats, and the establishment of robust security foundations. High-risk users are encouraged to activate advanced security features such as Lockdown mode for iOS and Memory Tagging Extensions (MTE) for Pixel 8 users.
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