What type of attack does a threat actor typically use when attempting to exploit a zero-day vulnerability?

A threat actor typically uses exploit kits to take advantage of zero-day vulnerabilities. An exploit kit is a collection of tools that automates the process of exploiting software vulnerabilities. When a zero-day vulnerability is identified, it means that the vulnerability is newly discovered and has not yet been patched or publicly disclosed. This creates a window of opportunity for attackers to exploit systems before the defenders can respond.

Exploit kits can deliver malware by leveraging these vulnerabilities, often without requiring much technical knowledge from the attacker. They can automate the exploitation process by identifying susceptible systems and deploying the appropriate payload once a vulnerability is detected, thus maximizing the effectiveness of the attack.

Understanding the nature of zero-day vulnerabilities is crucial. Since these vulnerabilities are unknown to the software vendor, there are usually no available patches, making the systems particularly susceptible to attack. Exploit kits capitalize on this lack of defense, which is why they are commonly associated with attempts to exploit zero-day vulnerabilities.

Other options, such as resource exhaustion or phishing, involve different techniques and objectives, while code injection primarily focuses on exploiting existing applications rather than leveraging unpatched vulnerabilities.