The vulnerabilities most exploited by hackers and how to avoid them in your infrastructure

In the digital world, the question is no longer "if" your company will be the target of cyber attacks, but "when". Hackers exploit known and unknown flaws to break into systems, steal data or paralyze operations. The average cost of a data breach already exceeds millions of dollars, not to mention the impact on reputation, customer confidence and even possible regulatory sanctions.

The truth is that every infrastructure has weaknesses. The key is not to deny this, but to know what the most common breaches are and to implement a robust architecture to reduce risks. This article presents the vulnerabilities most exploited by hackers today and shows practical ways to avoid them.

The vulnerabilities most exploited by hackers

1. Outdated software and ignored security patches

One of the most common entry points is the use of systems or applications that do not receive frequent updates.

• A real example: in 2017, the WannaCry ransomware spread globally by exploiting a flaw in Windows for which a fix already existed. Organizations that didn't apply the patch were the main victims, including hospitals and government agencies.
• Why is it dangerous? Hackers monitor suppliers' security bulletins. As soon as a vulnerability is disclosed, they create exploits to attack systems that have not yet been patched - often in a matter of hours.

2. Weak or reused passwords

Brute force attacks, credential leaks and so-called credential stuffing are still among the simplest and most effective methods of hacking.

• Real example: in 2019, a major telecommunications operator was hacked because an administrator used the same password on multiple systems. Initial access was obtained from a compromised external service.
• Why is it dangerous? Predictable or repeated passwords across different platforms allow unauthorized access without the need for advanced techniques. It's literally "the key under the mat".

3. Incorrect cloud and server configurations

The cloud has brought agility, but also new risks. Misconfigurations in storage buckets, databases or user permissions expose sensitive data.

• A real example: e-commerce companies have had millions of customer records exposed on open MongoDB servers without authentication.
• Why is it dangerous? A wrong configuration can turn a secure environment into an easy target, leaving confidential information publicly available.

4. Phishing and social engineering

Even the best technology can fail if the human link is not prepared.

• A real example: in 2020, Twitter employees were victims of social engineering. Hackers gained access to internal systems and took over verified accounts of public figures.
• Why is it dangerous? It only takes one click on a malicious link or the provision of credentials to an attacker to compromise the entire corporate network.

5. Exploitation of known vulnerabilities (CVE)

Every year, thousands of flaws are registered in the CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) database. Many of them are exploited on a large scale.

• A real example: the Log4Shell flaw (CVE-2021-44228) in Apache Log4j gave hackers the ability to remotely execute code in millions of Java applications.
• Why is it dangerous? Large companies have taken weeks or months to fix, while cybercriminals have automated attacks and compromised systems in a matter of hours.

6. Lack of network segmentation and excessive privileges

Environments without internal barriers or with permissions that are too broad make the attacker's job easier.

• Real example: in many ransomware attacks, such as the Colonial Pipeline in 2021, the lack of segmentation allowed attackers to move quickly through the network after initial access.
• Why is it dangerous? If an ordinary user has administrator privileges or if there is no containment between areas of the network, it only takes a single compromised point to cause the entire infrastructure to collapse.

Read also: the-financial-and-reputational-impact-of-a-cybernetic-attack/

How do attacks happen?

Hackers follow a relatively predictable cycle:

1. Reconnaissance - scans the network, identifies open ports and collects information about systems and users.
2. Exploitation - use vulnerabilities, phishing or weak credentials to gain initial access.
3. Escalation of privileges - they seek to extend permissions until they become administrators.
4. Lateral movement - they move around the network in search of valuable data or critical systems.
5. Exfiltration or impact - stealing information, installing backdoors or executing ransomware.

Understanding this cycle helps companies to create layers of protection at each stage, reducing response times and limiting damage.

Strategies to avoid exploiting vulnerabilities

1. Continuous patch management

• Establish a clear routine for applying corrections.
• Automate the process wherever possible with centralized management tools.
• Prioritize critical patches that are already being actively exploited.

2. Identity and access policies

• Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all critical systems.
• Use corporate password managers to avoid reuse.
• Apply the principle of least privilege: each user should only have access to what they really need.

3. Cloud security architecture

• Use Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tools to detect misconfigurations.
• Regularly audit user permissions and access keys.
• Create automatic alerts to identify suspicious changes in buckets, virtual machines and databases.

4. Employee awareness and training

• Carry out phishing simulation campaigns to measure the team's preparedness.
• Develop ongoing educational programs, not just one-off training sessions.
• Encourage a culture in which everyone feels responsible for safety.

5. Monitoring and incident response

• Invest in SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) solutions to correlate events and identify threats.
• Adopt EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) to detect anomalous behavior on devices.
• Have a documented and regularly tested incident response plan.

6. Secure and immutable backup

• Keep immutable backup copies that cannot be altered or deleted by ransomware.
• Store backups in environments isolated from the main network.
• Periodically test the restoration processes to ensure their effectiveness in real scenarios.

The role of a robust architecture

More than adopting isolated measures, effective defense depends on an integrated security architecture. This means:

• Redundancy and resilience: even in the event of an attack, critical systems continue to function.
• Intelligent segmentation: networks separated by function reduce the lateral movement of attackers.
• Zero Trust: each access is verified and authenticated, without trusting any device or user by default.
• Automation and intelligence: rapid responses to threats identified in real time, based on machine learning and behavior analysis.

This approach turns security into a continuous process, not a list of one-off tasks. The aim is not to eliminate risks (which is impossible), but to reduce them to acceptable levels and ensure resilience in the face of incidents.

Conclusion

There is no such thing as a 100% invulnerable infrastructure. Hackers will always find new ways to exploit flaws. The difference between resilient and vulnerable companies lies in how they anticipate, mitigate and respond to attacks.

Neglecting updates, using weak passwords or ignoring segmentation practices isn't just a technical error - it's a loophole open to millions in losses. On the other hand, organizations that invest in a robust architecture, governance processes and cybersecurity culture convey confidence to customers, partners and the market.

The question is simple: is your company prepared to withstand the next attack? Find out more!