What does the term "zero-day exploit" mean?

The term "zero-day exploit" refers to a vulnerability that has not yet been patched by the vendor, meaning that it is an active security flaw in software or hardware that has been discovered but not yet addressed. When a zero-day vulnerability is identified by a malicious actor, they can exploit it before the vendor has an opportunity to release a fix, thereby allowing potential attacks to occur without any existing defense mechanisms in place.

This is particularly concerning for cybersecurity because it implies an immediate threat and a window of opportunity for attackers to take advantage of the vulnerability, potentially leading to data breaches or other attacks. Understanding the nature of zero-day exploits is crucial for maintaining security, as organizations must be vigilant and proactive in their defense strategies, particularly in addressing new vulnerabilities that could be exploited until patches can be implemented.