Software Vulnerabilities Surged 61 Percent in 2024, According to New Report

Action1, a provider of autonomous endpoint management (AEM) solutions, today released its 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report, revealing a 61% year-over-year surge in discovered software vulnerabilities and a 96% spike in exploited vulnerabilities throughout 2024, amid an increasingly aggressive threat landscape.

Based on analysis of data from NVD and CVEdetails.com, the report highlights vulnerability trends over the past year, identifying which software categories are most at risk—and most exploited. With vulnerability volumes and exploitation rates spiking across key tools widely used in modern enterprise environments, this comprehensive research equips security leaders with insights needed to navigate the growing, complex threat landscape and prioritize proactive security measures.

Key Vulnerability Trends and Threat Areas

Action1’s 2025 Software Vulnerability Ratings Report uncovers pivotal developments across multiple software categories. Key findings from the analysis include:

  • Sharp surge in discovered vulnerabilities: The total number of software vulnerabilities grew by 61% YoY in 2024, with critical vulnerabilities rising by 37.1%—a significant expansion of the global attack surface and exposure of critical weaknesses across diverse software categories.
  • Exploited vulnerabilities nearly doubled: The number of known exploited vulnerabilities rose by 96% in 2024, signaling a critical escalation in threat actor activity and widespread real-world exploitation.
  • Dramatic rise in Linux and macOS flaws: Linux vulnerabilities soared by 967% and macOS vulnerabilities by 95% in 2024, indicating increased attacker focus on UNIX-based systems due to these sharp increases.
  • Web browsers and Office applications have emerged as prime targets: Exploits spiked 657% in browsers and 433% in Microsoft Office, with Chrome leading all products in known attacks.
  • Database software vulnerabilities rose dramatically: With 213% YoY overall vulnerability growth and a 505% increase in critical flaws, this trend highlights a rapidly growing risk to enterprise data environments using platforms like MSSQL and MySQL.

The year-over-year trends and findings from this analysis underscore the urgent need for organizations to evolve their cybersecurity strategies. With vulnerability exploitation nearly doubling and critical weaknesses continuing to rise, it’s clear that threat actors are accelerating their efforts while software ecosystems grow more complex.

The Action1 report also points to a shift in how software vendors handle CVE attribution, adding new layers to the vulnerability management challenge. As organizations navigate this increasingly volatile threat environment, taking a proactive stance on patch management, risk assessment, and overall security hygiene is no longer optional—it’s foundational.

“The findings in this year’s report confirm a seismic shift in the cyber threat landscape, which many security professionals have sensed— attackers move faster than manual processes can respond,” said Mike Walters, President and Co-Founder at Action1. “To stay ahead, organizations must embrace more autonomous, scalable approaches to vulnerability remediation and adopt a mindset of continuous security readiness. Our report offers the data-driven clarity leaders need to recalibrate risk priorities before threats become breaches.”

To explore the full report, visit: www.action1.com/software-vulnerability-ratings-report-2025

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.