Vulnerability Exposure
In cybersecurity, vulnerability exposure refers to the state of a system, application, or network that is susceptible to exploitation by a threat actor due to one or more vulnerabilities. It highlights the degree to which a weakness in a system can be accessed and potentially used to carry out an attack.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Weaknesses in Systems: Vulnerabilities are flaws or weaknesses in software, hardware, or configurations.
Accessibility to Attackers: Exposure defines how accessible these vulnerabilities are to attackers.
Attack Vectors: Vulnerability exposure determines the attack vectors that a malicious actor might use.
Risk Component: Vulnerability exposure is a critical component of overall risk.
ThreatNG is designed to identify and assess vulnerabilities in an organization's external attack surface, directly addressing Vulnerability Exposure.
External Discovery: Identifying Assets at Risk
ThreatNG's external discovery process is the first step. Identifying all externally facing assets defines the scope of potential Vulnerability Exposure.
This process reveals the systems, applications, and infrastructure that could be susceptible to attack.
External Assessment: Pinpointing Vulnerabilities
ThreatNG's external assessment modules provide detailed information about specific vulnerabilities, directly quantifying Vulnerability Exposure:
Web Application Vulnerabilities: The "Web Application Hijack Susceptibility" assessment identifies vulnerabilities in web applications, such as outdated software, missing security headers, and input validation flaws. These findings directly highlight the extent of Vulnerability Exposure in web applications.
Network Vulnerabilities: ThreatNG identifies open ports and services, representing Vulnerability Exposure if those services are vulnerable to exploitation.
Code Vulnerabilities: The "Code Secret Exposure" module discovers exposed credentials and sensitive data in code repositories. This represents a severe Vulnerability Exposure, as attackers can use this information directly to compromise systems.
Mobile App Vulnerabilities: The "Mobile App Exposure" assessment identifies vulnerabilities within mobile applications, such as hardcoded credentials.
By providing specific details about vulnerabilities, ThreatNG moves beyond simply stating that a system might be vulnerable; it provides evidence of actual Vulnerability Exposure.
Reporting: Communicating Vulnerability Exposure
ThreatNG's reporting capabilities communicate the identified Vulnerability Exposure to security teams and other stakeholders.
Reports prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact, helping organizations focus on the most critical areas of Vulnerability Exposure.
Continuous Monitoring: Tracking Changes in Exposure
ThreatNG's continuous monitoring is crucial because Vulnerability Exposure can change rapidly.
New vulnerabilities are discovered, systems are updated, and configurations are modified. ThreatNG helps organizations stay aware of these changes and their impact on Vulnerability Exposure.
Investigation Modules: Deep Dive into Vulnerabilities
ThreatNG's investigation modules provide tools to analyze vulnerabilities in detail.
For example, the Domain Intelligence module allows security teams to investigate the configuration of domain-related assets and identify potential sources of Vulnerability Exposure.
Working with Complementary Solutions
ThreatNG's data on Vulnerability Exposure can be integrated with other security solutions to improve overall vulnerability management:
Vulnerability Management: ThreatNG's external vulnerability assessments can be combined with internal vulnerability scanning for a more complete view of Vulnerability Exposure.
SIEM: ThreatNG's findings can be fed into a SIEM to correlate external Vulnerability Exposure with internal security events, providing a more comprehensive threat picture.
ThreatNG is a valuable solution for identifying, assessing, and managing Vulnerability Exposure. It provides detailed information about vulnerabilities in an organization's external attack surface, enabling proactive risk mitigation.
