13 Common Attack Vectors and How to Defend Your Organization

What Is an Attack Vector?

An attack vector is the route or method employed by cybercriminals to gain unauthorized access to a computer, network, or system. This could involve various tactics such as exploiting vulnerabilities in software, using social engineering, or leveraging security misconfigurations.

Understanding these vectors is crucial for developing defensive measures, as they represent the initial entry point that attackers use to compromise systems, steal data, or disrupt operations.

Attack vectors can be divided into categories based on the methods and technologies they exploit. Some rely on technological weaknesses, such as unpatched software systems, while others depend on manipulating human behavior, like phishing. By identifying and analyzing these vectors, organizations can prioritize security efforts to mitigate potential cyber threats.

This is part of a series of articles about attack surface

The Difference Between Attack Vector, Attack Surface, and Threat Vector

An attack vector refers to the method or pathway that attackers use to infiltrate a system or network. It represents the entry point for an attack, such as phishing emails, malware, or SQL injection. Attack vectors are the tools and techniques used by adversaries to exploit vulnerabilities or human behavior to achieve unauthorized access or control.

The attack surface is the sum of all potential entry points in a system, network, or application that an attacker could exploit. This includes all hardware, software, APIs, user interfaces, and physical locations where vulnerabilities might exist. A larger attack surface increases the number of opportunities for attackers, making it more difficult to secure. Reducing the attack surface involves eliminating unnecessary services and hardening configurations.

A threat vector is a broader concept encompassing the origin, motivation, and context of a potential cyber threat. It identifies who or what could carry out an attack, why they would do so, and the means available to them. While an attack vector describes the "how" of an attack, a threat vector focuses on the "who" and "why," often informing threat intelligence and risk assessments.

Related content: Read our guide to attack surface management

Common Types and Examples of Attack Vectors

1. Compromised Credentials

Compromised credentials occur when unauthorized users obtain valid login details, which may be achieved through data breaches, phishing, or malware. Once attackers possess these details, they can access systems as legitimate users, bypassing many security measures. This type of threat underscores the need for strong password policies and regular credential rotation.

For example, an employee at TechPoint Solutions reuses their company email password across multiple online services. When one of those services suffers a data breach, attackers gain access to the employee’s corporate account. They use this access to extract sensitive financial data and initiate unauthorized transactions.

2. Phishing

Phishing involves tricking users into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords or credit card numbers, by masquerading as a trustworthy entity. Attackers often use emails that appear to come from reputable sources, containing links leading to fraudulent websites designed to steal login credentials. Despite growing awareness, phishing remains a prevalent and effective attack vector due to its reliance on exploiting human psychology.

For example, the CEO of GreenLeaf Energy receives an urgent email appearing to be from the company’s IT department, requesting an immediate password reset. The email contains a link to a fake login page, where the CEO enters their credentials. Attackers use the stolen login to access company accounts and authorize fraudulent wire transfers.

3. Malware

Malicious software, or malware, disrupts operations and can access sensitive data by infiltrating systems. includes viruses, worms, ransomware, and spyware. Delivered through various methods, such as email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised applications, malware aims to compromise systems and extract valuable information or cause damage.

For example, an employee at BrightTech Corp opens an email attachment labeled "Project_Update.pdf," which they believe is related to an ongoing collaboration. The attachment contains ransomware that quickly spreads, encrypting critical files and demanding a large payment to decrypt them. The disruption halts operations until backups can be restored.

4. Insider Threats

Insider threats involve risks posed by individuals within an organization, like employees, contractors, or partners, who misuse access for malicious purposes. This type of threat can be challenging to detect since insiders possess legitimate access rights. Motives may include financial gain, espionage, or disgruntlement.

For example, an IT administrator at SecureFinance Inc., upset over a denied promotion, exploits their elevated access rights to exfiltrate sensitive client data. Over several months, they transfer data offsite and sell it to a competitor. The breach is discovered after abnormal data transfers are detected.

5. Weak or Missing Encryption

Weak or missing encryption leaves sensitive data vulnerable to eavesdropping or interception, particularly during transmission. When encryption protocols are flawed or absent, attackers can easily capture and decipher communications. Encryption is vital for protecting data privacy and ensuring only authorized parties access the information.

For example, a healthcare provider, MediPlus Clinic, transmits patient medical records between facilities over an insecure network connection without proper encryption. Attackers intercept these transmissions, capturing sensitive health and personal data. The breach leads to regulatory fines and highlights the need for strong encryption protocols in data transfers.

6. Unpatched Software or Systems

Unpatched software or systems expose vulnerabilities exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or control. Often, cybercriminals quickly reverse-engineer patches to uncover and target these weaknesses before they are applied by many organizations. Keeping systems updated with the latest security patches is essential to close these potential entry points.

For example, a law firm, Smith & Co., delays applying a critical security patch to their content management system. Attackers exploit the unpatched vulnerability to inject malware into the network, gaining access to sensitive legal files. The breach underscores how even minor delays in patching can have severe consequences.

7. Misconfiguration

Misconfigurations arise when systems, networks, or applications are incorrectly set up, leaving them open to exploitation. Common issues include default credentials, excessive permissions, unsecured APIs, and improper network segmentation. These weaknesses can be quickly found and exploited by attackers looking to breach defenses and access sensitive data.

For example, DataGrid Analytics has left a cloud storage bucket publicly accessible due to a misconfiguration. As a result, attackers access and download confidential business documents, including proprietary project plans and client data. Automated scanners detect the misconfiguration within hours.

8. Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS)

DDoS attacks involve overwhelming a target's network or services with traffic to disrupt operations and deny access to legitimate users. These attacks often employ botnets, which are networks of compromised devices, to amplify their impact. DDoS attacks can result in significant financial losses and damage an organization's reputation.

For example, QuickCart, an online retailer, experiences a large-scale DDoS attack during a major promotional sale, overwhelming their website and payment systems. The prolonged outage results in significant revenue losses and customer frustration. The attack underscores the need for DDoS mitigation strategies, such as traffic filtering and load balancing.

9. Brute Force Attacks

Brute force attacks involve systematically trying multiple combinations of passwords or encryption keys to gain unauthorized access to accounts or sensitive information. These attacks exploit weak password policies or insufficient account lockout mechanisms. Automated tools enable attackers to test a vast number of possibilities, potentially breaking into accounts or systems.

For example, ShopZone, a small eCommerce startup, suffers a brute-force attack targeting admin accounts with weak passwords. Using automated tools, attackers eventually gain access, deface the website, and tamper with product listings. The incident could have been prevented with stronger password policies and account lockout mechanisms.

10. SQL Injection

SQL injection attacks target web applications by inserting malicious SQL code into input fields to manipulate the database. Successful injections can access, modify, or delete data, potentially causing significant damage or data breaches. This attack vector exploits applications that fail to properly validate or sanitize user inputs.

For example, the online booking site TravelNow fails to validate user inputs properly, allowing an attacker to execute a SQL injection through the search bar. The attacker retrieves sensitive customer details, including names and travel itineraries. The breach illustrates the risks of poor input validation and the importance of secure coding practices.

11. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)

Cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks involve injecting malicious scripts into web pages viewed by unsuspecting users. XSS attacks can steal session cookies, deface websites, or conduct phishing schemes. They primarily target web applications that do not correctly validate or sanitize user inputs.

For example an attacker inserts a malicious script into the comment section of a popular article on NewsPulse, a media website. When users view the page, the script executes in their browsers, stealing session cookies and granting the attacker unauthorized access to user accounts.

12. Man-in-the-Middle Attacks

Man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacks occur when attackers intercept and potentially alter communications between two parties without their knowledge. These attacks exploit insecure communication channels to eavesdrop or manipulate data. MitM tactics can lead to credential theft, data breaches, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

During a business trip, an EcoTech Inc. executive connects to public Wi-Fi at a hotel without using a VPN. An attacker on the same network intercepts their communications, capturing login credentials and sensitive corporate data. This scenario emphasizes the importance of encrypted communications and secure remote access practices.

13. Session Hijacking

Session hijacking involves exploiting active user sessions to gain unauthorized access to systems or data. Attackers steal session tokens through cookie theft, XSS, or MitM tactics. Once attackers control a session, they can impersonate the user and access restricted resources, posing significant security risks.

For example, a company called NextWave Solutions suffers a security breach when attackers intercept session tokens during an unprotected login process. With these tokens, the attackers are able to impersonate users and access restricted systems, leading to the theft of proprietary data. The attack demonstrates the need for secure session management and enforcing HTTPS.

Tips From Our Experts

Mike Belton - Head of Service Delivery

With 25+ years in infosec, Michael excels in security, teaching, and leadership, with roles at Optiv, Rapid7, Pentera, and Madison College.

Leverage honeypots to detect emerging attack vectors

Deploy honeypots that mimic critical systems to attract attackers. By analyzing the techniques and methods used against these decoys, organizations can uncover new attack vectors and refine their defenses in a controlled environment.

Employ behavioral analytics to detect subtle attack methods

Many attack vectors, especially insider threats and session hijacking, involve subtle deviations in user behavior. Use behavioral analytics tools to establish baseline activities and flag anomalies, such as unusual access times or abnormal data transfers.

Use deception technologies to confuse attackers

Deception tools, such as fake credentials, dummy databases, or trap APIs, can be deployed to mislead attackers and detect their attempts to exploit company systems. These tools can disrupt attack progress and provide critical intelligence about their methods.

Focus on securing supply chain components

Attackers increasingly target the software supply chain through compromised updates or dependencies. Regularly audit third-party software components, enforce code signing, and verify the integrity of any external libraries or applications before integration.

Adopt continuous attack surface monitoring

Traditional periodic assessments may leave gaps. Use continuous attack surface management (ASM) tools to map all exposed systems, shadow IT, and configurations in real-time. This helps detect and remediate new vulnerabilities as they arise.

How Attack Vectors Are Exploited by Cyber Attackers

Passive Attacks

Passive attacks involve the interception and monitoring of data transmissions to collect sensitive information without altering or affecting the communication. These attacks are designed to be stealthy, allowing cybercriminals to observe and extract data over time without triggering security alarms. Common methods include network sniffing, wiretapping, or capturing unencrypted communications between devices.

Cybercriminals often use passive attacks to harvest valuable information, such as login credentials, financial details, or confidential business communications. Since the victim is typically unaware of the ongoing surveillance, attackers can gather large volumes of data for prolonged periods. This data can later be used for further attacks, including identity theft, corporate espionage, or credential stuffing.

Active Attacks

Active attacks differ from passive ones by directly interfering with communications or systems. Cybercriminals modify, corrupt, or manipulate transmitted data, introduce malware, or disrupt services to achieve their objectives. Examples include man-in-the-middle attacks, denial-of-service (DoS) attacks, and data injection techniques. These attacks typically aim for immediate results, such as gaining unauthorized access or causing service interruptions.

Due to their intrusive nature, active attacks are often easier to detect compared to passive attacks, but they can cause significant damage before detection. Organizations must implement real-time monitoring and response mechanisms to quickly identify and mitigate such incidents.

8 Strategies to Protect Against Attack Vectors

Here are some of the most important ways to protect against the various attack vectors threatening an organization.

1. Implement Strong Authentication Mechanisms

Strong authentication mechanisms, like multi-factor authentication (MFA), bolster security by requiring multiple verification methods before granting access. MFA combines passwords, biometrics, or one-time codes, reducing the risk of unauthorized account access even if credentials are compromised.

Organizations should integrate MFA into all critical systems, ensuring consistent protection levels for user accounts and sensitive data. Regularly reviewing authentication practices and adopting emerging technologies further strengthens access controls.

2. Regular Software Updates and Patch Management

Regular software updates and patch management are crucial for maintaining security by addressing vulnerabilities promptly. Patches repair known weaknesses that could be exploited by cyber attackers, improving system protection and reliability. Timely updates ensure defenses are consistently reliable against emerging threats.

Automated patch management solutions simplify update processes, ensuring critical patches are applied without delay. Conducting regular vulnerability assessments identifies potential weaknesses within the infrastructure.

3. Security Awareness Training

Security awareness training educates employees on recognizing and responding to potential threats, cultivating a security-conscious workforce. This training includes identifying phishing attempts, understanding safe online practices, and adhering to security policies, reducing the likelihood of successful attacks stemming from human error.

Organizations should conduct regular and updated training sessions to keep employees informed about evolving threats. Awareness campaigns and simulated phishing exercises reinforce learning.

4. Network Security Measures

Network security measures are vital for protecting systems and data from unauthorized access and other cyber threats. These measures include firewalls, intrusion detection systems, VPNs, and segmentation. Each component serves to strengthen perimeter defenses and control network traffic.

Implementing a multi-layered security approach maximizes protection by combining different technologies and practices. Regular monitoring and updates ensure defenses remain effective against new threats.

5. Regular Security Audits and Vulnerability Assessments

Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments identify weaknesses within an organization's infrastructure, providing insights into areas needing improvement. These evaluations uncover misconfigurations, outdated components, and other vulnerabilities that may be exploited by attackers.

Organizations should schedule periodic assessments and follow a structured approach to addressing identified issues. Collaborating with third-party auditors can offer an objective perspective.

6. Encryption of Sensitive Data

Encrypting sensitive data ensures that information remains unreadable to unauthorized parties, protecting confidentiality and integrity. Encryption applies to data at rest and in transit, providing protection against a wide array of security threats, including data breaches and interception.

Organizations should implement strong, up-to-date encryption protocols and regularly review key management practices. Educating personnel about the importance and use of encryption further supports data protection efforts.

7. Incident Response Planning

Incident response planning prepares organizations to act swiftly and effectively during a cyber attack, minimizing damage and recovery time. A well-crafted plan outlines roles, procedures, and communication strategies for addressing security incidents, ensuring a coordinated response to threats.

Regular testing and updating of incident response plans are essential as threats and organizational needs evolve. Drills and simulations help refine response capabilities. By maintaining an effective incident response plan, companies can reduce the impact of attacks and hasten recovery.

8. Third-Party Risk Management

Third-party risk management focuses on assessing and mitigating security risks linked to vendors, suppliers, or service providers. These external partners can introduce vulnerabilities and complicate overall security postures, necessitating thorough evaluations and risk protocols.

Organizations should establish rigorous vendor assessment procedures, including security audits, compliance checks, and performance monitoring. Clear contractual agreements addressing security expectations help ensure protections.