Zero-day vulnerabilities refer to a type of cybersecurity vulnerability that is unknown to the software vendor or cybersecurity community. Hackers exploit these vulnerabilities before they are discovered, leaving no time for the software vendor to release a fix or patch. Here is an example of a zero-day vulnerability:
Example: In 2017, a zero-day vulnerability known as "EternalBlue" was discovered in Microsoft's Windows operating system. This vulnerability allowed hackers to remotely execute malicious code on targeted systems, without any user interaction or authentication. The flaw affected multiple versions of Windows, including Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003. Hackers exploited this vulnerability to launch the infamous WannaCry ransomware attack, which infected hundreds of thousands of computers globally. The attack spread rapidly and caused significant disruptions, affecting critical infrastructure, healthcare systems, and businesses worldwide. Microsoft quickly released a patch after the discovery of the vulnerability, but many systems remained vulnerable due to lack of updates or unsupported operating systems. This incident highlighted the severe consequences of zero-day vulnerabilities, as they enable attackers to cause widespread damage before any countermeasures can be implemented.
Describe one example of each of the following cybersecurity vulnerabilities:
Zero-day vulnerabilities
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