Updating Legacy Systems: Mitigating the Risk of Old Vulnerabilities

As ransomware attacks continue to be a major threat to organizations around the world, a recent report from Securin highlights that the majority of vulnerabilities exploited by ransomware in 2022 are old and were discovered between 2010 and 2019. During this time frame, of the 56 vulnerabilities tied to ransomware, 20 of them were old vulnerabilities found between 2015 and 2019. It is essential that IT departments take these old vulnerabilities seriously, as they are often neglected despite being known and can be easily exploited by attackers. The problem is compounded by high turnover in IT departments, outdated patch management processes, and competing priorities.

Keeping up-to-date with software updates and patches is crucial, but it is not always a priority for IT departments that are overworked and engaged in triage. Older vulnerabilities may not be given the attention they require, and patches may be neglected. As a result, such vulnerabilities remain in the system even after being identified. This problem is worsened by high turnover among IT staff members, who may not be aware of old vulnerabilities or may assume that they have already been addressed.

To minimize the risk of an old vulnerability being exploited, businesses need to implement efficient patch management processes. A comprehensive view of the attack surface, including old vulnerabilities, is crucial. Organizations need to make conscious decisions about how to allocate their IT team’s resources and prioritize those risks. Standard vulnerability databases, such as the National Vulnerability Database (NVB) and MITRE, should be consulted to help inform risk assessments. However, these repositories are far from perfect, and IT departments must go beyond them, considering the significance of the potential risks.

The article stresses that organizations cannot accurately assess the threats they face if they use impartial or incorrectly weighted information. Therefore, it is essential to obtain precise information about the risks they face and effectively prioritize those risks. Even though an old vulnerability may be dismissed as a less immediate threat, it can be just as dangerous. IT departments must proactively identify and patch those vulnerabilities to ensure the security of their organization.

In conclusion, despite the persistent nature of the issue, the article recommends that businesses take old vulnerabilities more seriously and implement optimized patch management strategies. Though the organization of efficient patch management procedures may be challenging, taking the appropriate measures to address vulnerabilities can significantly reduce the security risks that organizations face.

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