Drop in vulnerability disclosures

2011-10-01

Helen Martin

Virus Bulletin, UK

Editor: Helen Martin

Abstract

IBM reports decrease in vulnerability disclosures and drop in web application vulnerabilities, but flaws affecting mobile devices are on the rise.

According to IBM’s X-Force 2011 Mid-Year Trend and Risk Report, this year has seen a decrease in vulnerability disclosures.

While more than 8,500 vulnerability disclosures were reported in 2010, this year’s total is expected to be a little above 7,000 – which is nearer the number that was seen five years ago. In particular, this year has seen a drop in the number of web application vulnerabilities disclosed – in recent years close to 50% of the vulnerabilities disclosed were in web applications, but that number has dropped to 37% this year.

In contrast, the report highlighted a ‘steady rise’ in the disclosure of security vulnerabilities affecting mobile devices – a worrying trend considering the rapid growth in use of mobile devices both in homes and in businesses, and the fact that in June a Bullguard survey found that 55% of users were unaware that a mobile could be infected by malware.

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