Rapid7 Vulnerability Intelligence Report Shows Attackers Developing and Deploying Exploits Faster Than Ever

Rhea-AI Summary

Rapid7 (NASDAQ: RPD) released its 2022 Vulnerability Intelligence Report, revealing a significant trend in cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The report identifies an 87% increase in the rate of first-week exploitation of security vulnerabilities since 2020. Notably, 56% of vulnerabilities were exploited within one week of public disclosure in 2022, with a median exploitation time of just one day. In contrast, the report noted a 33% decrease in vulnerabilities exploited for ransomware attacks. This report aims to equip organizations with insights to better manage risks and strengthen their security measures.

Positive

• 87% increase in first-week exploitation of vulnerabilities since 2020.
• 56% of vulnerabilities exploited within the first week of disclosure in 2022.
• Median time to exploitation reduced to one day.

Negative

• 33% decrease in the number of vulnerabilities exploited for ransomware attacks may indicate changing attack patterns.

Analysis of security vulnerability trends shows an 87% increase in first-week exploitation since 2020

BOSTON, Feb. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rapid7, Inc. (NASDAQ: RPD), a leader in cloud risk and threat detection, today announced the release of its latest Vulnerability Intelligence Report examining 50 of the most notable security vulnerabilities and high-impact cyberattacks in 2022.

The Rapid7 2022 Vulnerability Intelligence Report highlights exploitation trends, explores attacker use cases, and offers a framework for understanding new security threats as they arise. A significant finding from the report is that attackers are developing and deploying exploits faster than ever; 56% of the vulnerabilities in this report were exploited within seven days of public disclosure — a 12% rise over 2021 and an 87% rise over 2020. In 2022, the median time to exploitation was just one day.

“Rapid7’s team of vulnerability researchers works around the clock to thoroughly investigate and provide critical context into emergent threats,” said Caitlin Condon, Rapid7 vulnerability research manager and lead Vulnerability Intelligence Report author. “We produce the annual Vulnerability Intelligence Report to help organizations understand attack trends and proactively address both the unique and shared threats they face.”

The Rapid7 report also notes a 33% decrease between 2021 and 2022 in the number of vulnerabilities that were exploited to carry out ransomware attacks. According to Condon, this decrease may indicate that ransomware operations have become less reliant on new vulnerabilities, but it may also be caused by other factors, including lower reporting of ransomware incidents.

“The ransomware ecosystem and the cybercrime economy have continued to mature and evolve,” said Condon. “We saw many more ransomware families actively compromising organizations in 2022, which naturally creates challenges for threat tracking and reporting.”

Security, IT, and other teams tasked with vulnerability management and risk reduction operate in high-urgency, high-stakes environments where informed decision-making hinges on the ability to quickly separate signal from noise. When a new potential threat emerges, information security professionals often find themselves needing to translate vague descriptions and untested research artifacts into actionable intelligence for their own particular risk models. Rapid7 is known for its ongoing research initiatives that keep its customers and the broader business community safer.

To access the complete Rapid7 2022 Vulnerability Intelligence Report and related resources click here.

About Rapid7
Rapid7, Inc. (NASDAQ: RPD) is on a mission to create a safer digital world by making cybersecurity simpler and more accessible. We empower security professionals to manage a modern attack surface through our best-in-class technology, leading-edge research, and broad, strategic expertise. Rapid7’s comprehensive security solutions help more than 10,000 global customers unite cloud risk management and threat detection to reduce attack surfaces and eliminate threats with speed and precision. For more information, visit our website, check out our blog, or follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter.

Press contact:
Caitlin O’Connor
Sr. Public Relations Manager
press@rapid7.com
(857) 990-4240

Investor Contact:
Sunil Shah
Vice President, Investor Relations
investors@rapid7.com
(617) 865-4277

FAQ

What does Rapid7's 2022 Vulnerability Intelligence Report reveal about cyber threats?

The report highlights an 87% increase in first-week exploitation of vulnerabilities since 2020.

How quickly are vulnerabilities being exploited according to the Rapid7 report?

56% of vulnerabilities were exploited within just one week of public disclosure in 2022.

What is the median time to exploitation reported by Rapid7?

The median time to exploitation in 2022 was reported as just one day.

Did Rapid7 report any changes in ransomware attacks in 2022?

Yes, there was a 33% decrease in vulnerabilities exploited for ransomware attacks compared to 2021.

How does Rapid7 assist organizations with cybersecurity?

Rapid7's report provides insights and frameworks to help organizations manage emerging security threats.