What is Zero-Day Vulnerability (ZDV)?

Zero-Day Vulnerability is a system or software vulnerability unknown to the vendor and for which no patch or means of mitigation are available at the time it is discovered.

What is Zero-Day Vulnerability (ZDV)?

About Zero-Day Vulnerability:

  • A ZDV is a system or software vulnerability unknown to the vendor and for which no patch or means of mitigation are available at the time it is discovered
  • The term ZDV refers to the flaw itself, while zero-day attack refers to an attack that has zero days between the time the vulnerability is discovered and the first attack. 
  • Zero-day exploit refers to the method or technique hackers use to take advantage of a ZDV, often via malware, and execute the attack.
  • Thus, a zero-day attack occurs when threat actors develop and release malware that targets the ZDV. 
  • Because they were discovered before security researchers and software developers became aware of them—and before they can issue a patch—ZDVs pose a higher risk to users for the following reasons:
    • Cybercriminals race to exploit these vulnerabilities to cash in on their schemes.
    • Vulnerable systems are exposed until a patch is issued by the vendor.

Once a ZDV has been made public, it is known as an n-day or one-day vulnerability.


Q1: What is Malware?

Malware, or malicious software, is any program or file that is intentionally harmful to a computer, network or server. Types of malware include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, ransomware and spyware.

Source: Indian Govt Warns About Major Google Chrome Security Alert: What You Need To Know

Latest UPSC Exam 2025 Updates

Last updated on June, 2025

UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.

UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.

UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025  are available now.

UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.

→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.

UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.

UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.

→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.

UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!

UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.

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