The explosion of endpoint devices across corporate networks has created something of a perfect storm for cybersecurity teams. We’re talking laptops, smartphones, tablets, IoT sensors—basically anything connecting to your network. Each one? A potential doorway for attackers.
NIST’s National Vulnerability Database now contains over 318,090 total CVE vulnerabilities, with submissions increasing significantly year-over-year[1]. Organizations face an increasingly complex threat landscape with vulnerability disclosures reaching record levels. Threat actors figured out exactly where to focus. They’re not hammering firewalls anymore. They’re targeting the weakest links—your endpoints.
Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report[2] analyzed 22,052 security incidents, including 12,195 confirmed data breaches. The pattern? Crystal clear. Attackers consistently exploit endpoint security vulnerabilities to establish that critical initial foothold. Once they’re in through a compromised endpoint, they move laterally, escalate privileges, eventually exfiltrate sensitive data. Understanding these endpoint security threats has become absolutely critical for preventing the kind of breach that costs millions and makes headlines.
1. Unpatched or Outdated Software
Let’s start with the obvious one that somehow still causes the most damage.
Unpatched software on endpoint devices remains the number one endpoint security vulnerability keeping security teams up at night.
Why?
It’s completely preventable. Yet attackers exploit it relentlessly.
Think about the race happening daily. Vendors discover vulnerabilities, rush out patches, notify customers. Security teams scramble to test and deploy those patches across thousands of endpoints. Meanwhile? Attackers scan for vulnerable systems, weaponize exploits, launch attacks. Guess who often wins?
The Scale of the Problem
According to Verizon’s 2025 DBIR, exploitation of vulnerabilities served as the initial access method in a significant portion of analyzed breaches. CISA maintains a Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog that security teams use to prioritize patching efforts, with many entries specifically targeting endpoint devices and operating systems.
Here’s what keeps happening. Many critical vulnerabilities remain unpatched for extended periods, creating substantial windows of exposure. Six months! That’s 180 days of exposure. Organizations often face significant delays in detecting and containing breaches. During this entire window? Those unpatched endpoint devices function as unlocked backdoors into your corporate network.
Primary Risks:
- Known vulnerabilities weaponized and exploited within hours of public disclosure
- Compromised endpoints enabling attackers to move laterally across corporate networks
- Unpatched operating systems allowing privilege escalation granting admin access
- Vulnerable endpoint security software becoming the delivery vehicle for ransomware
- Systems lacking security updates continuously leaking sensitive data to unauthorized users
- Maturing Advanced Threat Defense
- 4 Must-Do's for Advanced Threat Defense
- Automating Detection and Response
Protection Measures:
- Deploy automated patch management prioritizing based on actual exploitation risk
- Use endpoint vulnerability scanners running continuous assessments across all endpoint devices
- Establish endpoint vulnerability remediation protocols with strict SLAs
- Implement endpoint detection and response solutions identifying active exploitation attempts
- Maintain comprehensive inventories ensuring no endpoint misses critical patches
Fidelis Endpoint® correlates software inventory with known MITRE CVE vulnerabilities and Microsoft KB articles, automatically alerting security teams when new CVEs affect installed software.
2. Weak Passwords and Credential Reuse
Stolen credentials have become the skeleton key of modern cyber attacks.
When attackers obtain valid login credentials, they don’t need to hack through your endpoint protection platforms or evade your intrusion detection systems—they just log in like legitimate users. Your endpoint security solution can’t tell the difference between a real employee and an attacker using that employee’s stolen credentials. That’s what makes this endpoint security vulnerability so dangerous.
Credential Compromise Statistics
The 2025 Verizon DBIR pinned compromised credentials as responsible for 22% of all analyzed breaches. More than one in five successful attacks starting with stolen login information. Credential stuffing attacks have become increasingly prevalent, with attackers leveraging massive databases of stolen credentials to gain unauthorized access.
Password reuse significantly amplifies the impact when credentials are compromised, as attackers gain access to multiple systems using a single set of stolen credentials. When endpoint devices get compromised, attackers harvest these reused credentials and suddenly gain access to multiple systems, applications, and cloud resources. Malware families like RedLine and Raccoon have specialized in exactly this attack pattern—extracting credentials from compromised endpoints and selling them in bulk on dark web markets.
Primary Risks:
- Credential stuffing attacks leveraging massive databases containing millions of stolen username-password combinations
- Infostealer malware specifically targeting credentials stored on endpoint devices and browsers
- Phishing campaigns tricking end users into voluntarily surrendering their login credentials
- Session hijacking capturing authentication tokens from compromised endpoints
- Administrative credentials stolen from endpoints enabling complete privilege escalation across corporate networks
Protection Measures:
- Enforce multi-factor authentication across every single endpoint authentication point
- Deploy continuous credential monitoring detecting compromised accounts before attackers exploit them
- Implement ironclad password policies with enforcement mechanisms preventing credential reuse
- Use endpoint security software with integrated anti-phishing capabilities protecting end users
- Monitor for anomalous authentication patterns signaling credential abuse or unauthorized access attempts
3. Security Misconfigurations
Security misconfigurations have exploded as organizations rush to deploy new endpoint security solutions, cloud services, mobile device management systems without properly configuring them first.
Default settings almost never align with actual security requirements. Improper permissions, disabled security features, misconfigured cloud resources create gaping holes across your endpoint infrastructure.
Misconfiguration Impact
OWASP’s 2025 Top 10 delivered findings that should alarm every security team: 90% of tested applications exhibited some form of misconfiguration, with over 208,000 documented occurrences. The severity became crystal clear when security misconfiguration rocketed from fifth position in 2021 straight to second place in 2025, now affecting 3% of all assessed systems[3].
Cloud environments significantly amplify endpoint security risks, with configuration errors representing a leading cause of security incidents. Cloud misconfigurations frequently involve open storage buckets, excessive IAM permissions, and vulnerable network configurations that expose sensitive data. When endpoint devices connect to these misconfigured cloud resources, they inherit every single vulnerability and immediately expose sensitive data to potential theft.
Security protocols often get disabled during migrations or system updates, then never get re-enabled. This leaves endpoint protection platforms operating below their intended security posture, creating opportunities for cyber-attacks to succeed. Security teams struggle to maintain proper configurations across multiple endpoints, especially in environments with BYOD policies and personal devices.
Primary Risks:
- Default credentials staying unchanged on endpoint devices, applications, critical systems
- Unnecessary services remaining enabled, expanding the attack surface without adding value
- Improper access permissions granting unauthorized data access to potential threat actors
- Security features getting disabled during system upgrades and migrations, then never re-enabled
- Cloud resource misconfigurations directly exposing sensitive data to cyber threats and data breaches
Protection Measures:
- Deploy configuration management systems enforcing security baselines across all endpoint protection platforms
- Conduct regular endpoint vulnerability assessments identifying misconfigurations before attackers discover them
- Implement security hardening protocols across every endpoint security solution and mobile device
- Use automated configuration scanning tools providing continuous monitoring of security posture
- Establish rigorous change management processes preventing insecure configurations from reaching production
4. Zero-Day Exploits
Zero-day vulnerabilities represent every security team’s nightmare scenario.
These previously unknown security flaws allow attackers to compromise endpoint devices before patches exist, let alone get deployed. What used to seem like rare, nation-state level attacks? They now fuel mainstream ransomware operations and financially motivated cybercrime.
Zero-Day Exploitation Trends
Research organizations tracking zero-day vulnerabilities have documented a significant increase in actively exploited zero-days. Enterprise technologies, including security and networking products, increasingly face targeted zero-day exploitation attempts. That means your endpoint security solutions and network security infrastructure are primary targets.
Industry research consistently identifies exploitation of vulnerabilities as a leading initial infection vector in security breaches. CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog includes numerous zero-day vulnerabilities that pose immediate threats to organizations.
Here’s the timeline problem facing security teams. Attackers now deploy exploits within hours of vulnerability disclosure, sometimes even before patches become available. That leaves essentially zero time to implement endpoint vulnerability remediation before endpoint devices become compromised.
Primary Risks:
- Previously unknown vulnerabilities getting exploited before patches become available or deployable
- Internet-facing endpoint devices receiving targeted attacks exploiting zero-day flaws
- Edge network appliance compromises providing initial network access for advanced persistent threats
- File transfer applications suffering zero-day exploitation enabling massive data theft operations
- VPN and firewall zero-days creating pathways for lateral movement through corporate networks
Protection Measures:
- Deploy advanced endpoint security solutions with behavioral detection capabilities catching zero-day attacks through anomalous activity
- Implement continuous monitoring across all endpoint devices identifying suspicious behavior signaling exploitation attempts
- Use endpoint detection and response platforms with integrated threat hunting features proactively searching for compromise indicators
- Establish rapid incident response protocols enabling zero-day containment before widespread compromise occurs
- Employ network segmentation strictly limiting lateral movement possibilities from any compromised endpoints
Fidelis Endpoint® addresses this challenge through behavioral detection that monitors process activity in real-time, automatically terminating processes that cross malicious behavior thresholds even when signatures don’t yet exist.
- DETECT — Spot threats instantly across every device.
- RESPOND — Automate actions and isolate risks fast.
- CONTROL — Stay protected on and off the network.
- PREVENT — Block ransomware and zero-days early.
5. Ransomware
Ransomware operations targeting endpoint devices have intensified dramatically throughout 2025.
Threat actors perfected double extortion tactics—they exfiltrate your sensitive data first, then encrypt your systems, creating maximum pressure for ransom payment. Traditional backup strategies? They no longer provide adequate protection against these evolved attack methods. The financial toll has become staggering.
Ransomware Attack Landscape
Ransomware incidents have increased significantly throughout 2025, with organizations facing daily attacks. The financial impact of ransomware attacks continues to escalate, costing organizations millions in recovery, downtime, and potential ransom payments.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center tracks thousands of ransomware complaints annually, with adjusted losses running into millions of dollars. Government threat assessments document thousands of ransomware attacks targeting organizations globally, with a substantial portion affecting US-based entities. Critical manufacturing, financial services, IT infrastructure, government sectors remain the highest-value targets as we head deeper into 2026.
Ransomware operators specifically target endpoint security vulnerabilities as their attack vectors. They use compromised credentials for initial access. They exploit unpatched vulnerabilities in endpoint software. They bypass inadequate endpoint protection to execute malware and spread laterally across networks.
Modern ransomware represents one of the most serious endpoint threats facing organizations. These cyber-attacks often begin at a single compromised endpoint, then spread rapidly across corporate networks, encrypting data on multiple endpoints simultaneously. The operational disruption can last weeks while security teams work to restore systems and verify no attackers remain in the environment.
Primary Risks:
- File encryption preventing access to critical business systems and halting operations completely
- Data exfiltration creating extortion leverage through threats of public disclosure and data leaks
- Credential theft during ransomware attacks enabling future compromise and lateral movement
- Cloud platforms suffering compromise through stolen endpoint access credentials
- Operational disruption extending for weeks or months during recovery and remediation efforts
Protection Measures:
- Deploy endpoint detection and response platforms with ransomware-specific behavioral detection catching attacks mid-execution
- Implement immutable backups kept completely isolated from endpoint access protecting against encryption attempts
- Enforce multi-factor authentication preventing unauthorized endpoint access that typically precedes ransomware deployment
- Use network segmentation containing ransomware propagation and limiting organizational impact
- Maintain detailed incident response plans with ransomware-specific playbooks enabling rapid containment
6. Lost or Stolen Devices
Mobile devices have exploded as primary attack targets, yet organizations continue treating mobile endpoints as an afterthought.
Employees carry corporate data in their pockets. They access sensitive data from coffee shops. They connect to public Wi-Fi networks. Meanwhile, security teams struggle to maintain even basic visibility into mobile device security posture. Lost or stolen endpoints create immediate data breach risks that bypass every other security control.
Mobile Threat Statistics
Security research organizations document millions of attacks targeting mobile devices annually, with attack volumes showing sustained growth. Banking Trojans and malicious applications targeting mobile endpoints represent a significant and growing threat category. These aren’t theoretical threats. They’re active attacks targeting your employees’ mobile endpoints right now.
Industry research indicates the vast majority of organizations now consider mobile devices critical to business operations. This creates a dangerous paradox. Organizations depend heavily on mobile endpoints while simultaneously failing to protect them adequately. Security concerns and potential data loss represent significant barriers to broader BYOD adoption among organizations.
Many mobile devices cannot receive security updates due to device age, leaving substantial portions of endpoints permanently vulnerable to known exploits. Organizations increasingly experience security incidents linked to unsecured BYOD use and shadow IT on personal devices.
Primary Risks:
- Banking Trojans and mobile malware specifically targeting financial data stored on endpoint devices
- SMS phishing campaigns and malicious applications compromising mobile endpoints at massive scale
- Lost or stolen endpoints immediately exposing corporate data and sensitive data without proper security controls
- Insecure Wi-Fi connections enabling man-in-the-middle attacks on mobile devices
- Personal and business data mixing on employee-owned devices creating serious compliance nightmares
Protection Measures:
- Implement mobile device management solutions enforcing security policies across all mobile endpoints
- Deploy data encryption and remote wipe capabilities protecting corporate data on lost or stolen endpoints
- Enforce conditional access policies granting network access only to devices meeting verified security posture requirements
- Extend endpoint detection and response coverage comprehensively to mobile endpoints and IoT devices
- Establish clear BYOD policies defining security requirements with ongoing monitoring and strict enforcement
7. Shadow IT
Shadow IT and visibility blind spots undermine even the most sophisticated endpoint security strategies organizations deploy.
Here’s the fundamental problem security teams face daily: you absolutely cannot protect endpoint devices you don’t even know exist. Employees routinely connect unauthorized devices. They install unapproved applications. They spin up cloud resources without IT approval. Each action creates security gaps that completely bypass your firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, and endpoint protection platforms.
Visibility Gap Statistics
Industry research reveals that a significant percentage of organizations have substantial portions of endpoints remaining unmanaged. One in five endpoints. Just sitting there. Unmonitored. Unprotected. Verizon’s 2025 Mobile Security Index found 45% of organizations struggle to detect shadow IT activity simply because they lack complete data about what’s connecting to their corporate networks.
The operational impact of shadow IT extends beyond inventory issues, with many organizations experiencing security incidents stemming from unsanctioned IT resources. These aren’t minor incidents—they’re full-blown security breaches. Siloed and inaccessible data severely limits threat visibility, directly impeding incident response capabilities.
Many organizations lack full visibility into east-west traffic within their environments. That means once attackers compromise any single endpoint, they can move laterally across networks almost completely undetected. Your endpoint security solutions never see them moving between systems.
IoT endpoints compound visibility challenges significantly, with a growing percentage of cyberattacks involving compromised IoT devices. These devices often connect to corporate networks without IT approval, running outdated firmware with known endpoint security vulnerabilities that never get patched.
Primary Risks:
- Unmanaged endpoints completely bypassing firewalls, intrusion detection systems, other endpoint security solutions
- Shadow IT applications lacking proper data encryption and access controls required for protecting sensitive data
- IoT devices creating unmonitored entry points directly into corporate networks and critical systems
- Incomplete endpoint inventories causing data loss prevention failures during security incidents
- Incident response teams facing crippling delays when they lack visibility into compromised devices
Protection Measures:
- Deploy unified endpoint management solutions providing comprehensive device inventory across all endpoint types
- Implement continuous monitoring covering traditional workstations, mobile devices, IoT endpoints
- Enforce strict BYOD policies requiring device registration and security compliance before network access
- Conduct regular endpoint vulnerability assessments specifically searching for shadow IT and unauthorized devices
- Use endpoint detection and response platforms delivering visibility spanning workstations, mobile endpoints, emerging endpoint categories
Fidelis Endpoint® tracks agent connection status, distinguishing between actively connected endpoints and rarely-seen devices that may indicate shadow IT, while dynamic groups automatically update based on endpoint characteristics to improve policy management.
Building Resilient Endpoint Security
Endpoint security vulnerabilities keep evolving—both in sophistication and scale—as we approach 2026.
With NIST’s National Vulnerability Database containing over 318,000 total CVE vulnerabilities and new disclosures continuing at record pace, reactive security approaches have become inadequate. Organizations desperately need proactive endpoint security strategies that anticipate endpoint threats rather than just reacting to attacks already underway.
The Business Case
Organizations that achieve faster breach detection and containment realize substantial cost savings compared to those with delayed response times. That’s a million-dollar difference stemming purely from faster detection and containment. This demonstrates why comprehensive endpoint vulnerability management, continuous endpoint vulnerability detection, and rapid endpoint security threat prevention have transformed into absolute business imperatives.
Essential Security Layers
Multiple security controls must work together:
- Patch Management: Automated systems tackling unpatched vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them
- Authentication: Multi-factor authentication combating compromised credentials and blocking unauthorized access attempts
- Configuration Control: Rigorous management eliminating security misconfigurations across endpoint protection platforms
- Behavioral Detection: Identifying zero-day attacks, ransomware operations, advanced threats before irreversible damage occurs
Visibility and Response
EDR vulnerability management paired with continuous endpoint monitoring delivers the visibility security teams need. Endpoint vulnerability scanners running automated assessments discover weaknesses before attackers exploit them. These interconnected endpoint security solutions create comprehensive protection spanning your entire attack surface.
Moving Forward
Security teams that prioritize comprehensive endpoint protection, systematically eliminate visibility blind spots, and fully adopt unified endpoint management position themselves strongest against evolving cyber threats. The pressing question facing organizations heading into 2026? It’s whether your endpoint security solutions can detect and respond quickly enough to prevent costly data breaches and data theft.
End users should be aware of security vulnerabilities like phishing attacks and social engineering attacks that compromise credentials. Security teams must deploy endpoint protection platforms that monitor endpoint activity continuously, implement threat detection identifying compromised devices instantly, enforce security protocols preventing unauthorized users from gaining access.
As emerging threats and evolving threats continue relentlessly targeting endpoints, organizations must adapt their endpoint security strategy. Lost or stolen endpoints need remote wipe capabilities deployed immediately. Compromised endpoints require instant isolation preventing lateral movement. Data access controls must effectively prevent insider threats while enabling authorized users to perform their jobs. The security breach risks have become too severe to treat endpoint security as an afterthought.
