Hackers find vulnerabilities through a combination of technical skills, tools, and strategic approaches, targeting weaknesses in systems, software, or human behavior.
The methods have evolved with advancements in AI and the growing complexity of digital infrastructure. Here’s how hackers typically identify vulnerabilities:
1. Scanning and Enumeration.
• Method: Hackers use automated tools to scan networks, websites, or devices for open ports, services, or misconfigurations.
• Tools: Nmap, Nessus, OpenVAS, or custom scripts to detect outdated software, unpatched systems, or exposed APIs.
• Example: Identifying an open SSH port with a default password or an unpatched CVE like Log4Shell (CVE-2021-44228).
2. Vulnerability Databases and Research
• Method: They leverage public or underground databases to find known vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE lists, Exploit-DB) or zero-day flaws shared on forums.
• Sources: CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog, National Vulnerability Database (NVD), or dark web marketplaces.
• Example: Exploiting CVE-2024-5806 (MOVEit Transfer) after its disclosure, as seen in recent breaches.
3. Code Analysis
• Method: Hackers review source code (if accessible) or reverse-engineer binaries to find flaws like buffer overflows, SQL injection points, or insecure deserialization.
• Tools: Ghidra, IDA Pro, or static analysis tools to identify coding errors.
• Example: Finding a poorly sanitized input field in a web app that allows RCE.
4. Penetration Testing and Exploitation Frameworks
• Method: They simulate attacks using frameworks like Metasploit or Burp Suite to test for exploitable weaknesses.
• Process: Start with a known vulnerability, craft an exploit, and execute it to gain access or escalate privileges.
• Example: Using Metasploit to exploit a misconfigured Spring Boot Actuator endpoint (CVE-2025-48927).
5. Social Engineering
• Method: Exploit human vulnerabilities (e.g., trust, curiosity) to gain information or access, often revealing technical weaknesses indirectly.
• Techniques: Phishing emails, pretexting, or baiting with malicious links.
• Example: Tricking a user into revealing credentials, exposing an unpatched system.
6. Fuzzing
• Method: Send malformed or unexpected inputs to applications to crash them or expose memory corruption bugs.
• Tools: AFL (American Fuzzy Lop), Peach Fuzzer to identify buffer overflows or input validation issues.
• Example: Crashing a server to reveal a zero-day vulnerability in an IoT device.
7. Monitoring Public Disclosures and Bug Bounties
• Method: Track vulnerability disclosures from vendors, security researchers, or bug bounty programs (e.g., HackerOne, Bugcrowd) to find unpatched systems.
• Strategy: Race to exploit before patches are widely applied (e.g., 28.3% of Q1 2025 CVEs exploited within 24 hours).
• Example: Targeting Atlassian Confluence (CVE-2023-22527) after a bug bounty report.
8. AI and Machine Learning
• Method: Use AI to analyze vast datasets, predict potential vulnerabilities, or automate exploit development.
• Advantage: AI accelerates finding zero-days or optimizing phishing campaigns, as noted with a 4,151% surge in phishing since ChatGPT’s release.
• Example: AI identifying a novel RCE flaw in a network appliance.
9. Insider Information or Supply Chain Attacks
• Method: Obtain insider knowledge or target third-party software vendors to exploit weaknesses in their products.
• Example: The 2024 Snowflake breach used compromised credentials to target 100+ customers’ vulnerabilities.
Factors Enabling Discovery
• Unpatched Systems: Delays in patching (e.g., legacy systems with Log4Shell) leave gaps.
• Misconfigurations: Exposed endpoints or weak passwords (e.g., CVE-2025-33053 in Erlang/OTP).
• Complexity: Interconnected systems increase attack surfaces, as seen in the Ivanti VPN exploits (CVE-2024-21887/46805).
Hacker Profiles
• Script Kiddies: Use pre-built tools for known vulnerabilities.
• Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs): Conduct targeted research for zero-days (e.g., Silk Typhoon with CVE-2024-12356).
• Ethical Hackers Turned Malicious: Leverage professional skills from bug bounties.
Mitigation for Organizations
• Regular Scanning: Use tools like Nessus to identify and patch vulnerabilities.
• Patch Management: Prioritize updates for critical CVEs (e.g., CISA KEV Catalog).
• Employee Training: Reduce social engineering risks.
• AI Defenses: Deploy AI-driven threat detection to counter automated attacks.
Hackers exploit a mix of technical and human weaknesses, with AI and rapid exploitation trends dominating in 2025. For real-time threat insights, tools like SOCRadar or VulnCheck are valuable. If you need details on a specific method, comments in the blog!