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

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • The Progress of Biometrics

  • Next-Gen AI for Smart Cities

    The future of smart city technology is not being shaped in Silicon Valley — it is taking root in Dubuque, Iowa. With a population of about 60,000, this mid-sized city has become a live testbed for AI-driven traffic management thanks to a unique public-private collaboration led by Milestone Systems. Project Hafnia demonstrates how cities can transform urban mobility and safety through Responsible Technology—without costly infrastructure overhauls. Read Now

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • 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.