The 2024 Annual Vulnerability Report from SecPod reveals a staggering increase in global vulnerabilities, highlighting the ever-evolving nature of cyber threats. With 40,704 vulnerabilities identified in 2024—a 30% increase compared to the previous year—this report serves as a critical resource for IT professionals, decision-makers, and security teams.
Let’s delve into the report’s findings, trends, and recommendations to better understand the challenges and actions required to secure our digital future.
The Alarming Rise in Vulnerabilities
2024 was one of the year which saw a significant increase in critical vulnerabilities, reflecting the dynamic and complex nature of today’s cyber threat landscape. The report outlines several key metrics:
- Total vulnerabilities identified: 40,704 (up from 31,279 in 2023)
- Critical and high-severity vulnerabilities: 19,100, according to CVSS v3 and v4 algorithms
- Zero-day vulnerabilities: 31
- Malware-exploited vulnerabilities: 120, leading to high-fidelity attacks
- Widely exploited vulnerabilities: 129
While the growing number of vulnerabilities may seem alarming, it underscores the increased focus on proactive vulnerability detection and reporting by organizations and researchers.
Top Affected Vendors and Systems
The report identifies Linux and Microsoft as the top affected vendors, with 2,315 and 1,205 vulnerabilities, respectively. This is not surprising given Linux’s widespread use in servers, IoT devices, and cloud environments, along with its open-source nature that promotes transparent vulnerability tracking.
Similarly, Linux emerged as the most affected operating system, reporting 2,313 vulnerabilities, followed by macOS and Windows. The expansive ecosystem of applications and hardware also saw critical vulnerabilities, with Adobe Experience Manager leading the pack among applications and Tenda and Qualcomm dominating the hardware segment.
Severity and Impact: Breaking Down the Numbers
The CVSS v3 and v4 frameworks were instrumental in classifying vulnerabilities by severity and impact. Here’s how the numbers stack up:
- Critical vulnerabilities: 4,750
- High-severity vulnerabilities: 14,370
- Medium-severity vulnerabilities: 20,427
Interestingly, the majority of vulnerabilities fell into the medium-severity category, with an impact score ranging from 5 to 5.9. This emphasizes the need to focus on vulnerabilities that, while not immediately critical, could cause significant harm if exploited.
Emerging Trends in Exploitation
One of the report’s key insights is the increasing use of high-fidelity vulnerabilities. In 2025, 120 vulnerabilities were exploited with precision, resulting in targeted and impactful cyberattacks. The month-wise analysis shows a spike in vulnerabilities in May, with 5,103 risks reported—an indicator of potential seasonal trends in exploitation.
Moreover, only 23 vulnerabilities had public exploits available, showcasing a gap between vulnerability discovery and active exploitation. This highlights the importance of rapid remediation and patching to stay ahead of attackers.
Critical Vulnerabilities to Watch
The report lists the Top 20 most critical vulnerabilities of 2024, urging organizations to prioritize them. These include:
- CVE-2024-23897: Affects Jenkins CLI, enabling attackers to read arbitrary files on the Jenkins controller file system.
- CVE-2024-0204: Found in Fortra’s GoAnywhere MFT, allowing unauthorized admin account creation.
- CVE-2024-42789: A Fortinet FortiOS vulnerability enabling unauthorized code execution via crafted HTTP requests.
The consistent presence of critical vulnerabilities in widely used platforms like Microsoft Exchange, Fortinet, and VMware underlines the need for constant vigilance and timely patching.
Zero-Day Exploits
2024 saw 31 zero-day vulnerabilities, with many targeting high-profile platforms like Google Chrome, Apple WebKit, and Microsoft Windows. These vulnerabilities remain a persistent challenge as they exploit unknown weaknesses, often before vendors have a chance to issue patches. Addressing zero-days requires advanced detection mechanisms, continuous monitoring, and robust patch management systems.
Compliance and Benchmarks
The report highlights SecPod’s comprehensive compliance coverage, including benchmarks for Windows Server 2022, MySQL 8, and macOS 15, among others. Adhering to these compliance standards is essential for organizations aiming to strengthen their security posture while meeting regulatory requirements.
SecPod’s Continuous Vulnerability and Exposure Management Platform
The report emphasizes the importance of continuous vulnerability and exposure management through platforms like SecPod SanerNow. With features like integrated patching, automated remediation, and CISA-SSVC-based prioritization, SanerNow offers a robust solution to tackle the growing tide of vulnerabilities.
Key highlights of SecPod SanerNow include:
- Comprehensive vulnerability checks: Over 190,000 vulnerability checks to ensure no stone is left unturned.
- Integrated patching: Streamlined processes to address vulnerabilities swiftly.
- Continuous monitoring: Ensuring real-time visibility into IT infrastructure.
