The Risks of Delayed Patching: A Guide to Fix Slow Patching

Cyber threats have become more sophisticated and pervasive, targeting organizations of all sizes and industries. This reality underscores the critical need for robust cybersecurity measures, including regular software updates, with concerns regarding to the risks of delayed patching . Ignoring these updates not only exposes systems to known vulnerabilities but also signals a broader disregard for the foundational aspects of digital security.

Regularly applied patches fix vulnerabilities, enhance functionality, and protect sensitive data from unauthorized access. Neglecting this crucial maintenance task can have dire consequences, including compromised system integrity, loss of data, and tarnished reputation. Therefore, understanding the importance of timely patching is essential for anyone responsible for the health and security of IT systems.

The importance of patching

Regularly applied patches bring crucial benefits, such as:

• Vulnerabilities fixes

• Enhanced system functionality

• Protection of sensitive data from unauthorized access.

Neglecting this crucial maintenance task can have dire consequences, such as:

• Compromised system integrity,

• Loss of critical data,

• Tarnished reputation

• Loss of customer trust

Therefore, understanding the importance of timely patching is essential for anyone responsible for the health and security of IT systems.

Exploring the risks of delayed patching

Software patching refers to the process of applying updates from software developers to existing applications, operating systems, or software packages. These patches address vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and sometimes add new features. In the cybersecurity ecosystem, patching plays a pivotal role by closing security gaps that could be exploited by attackers, making it a non-negotiable aspect of maintaining system integrity and security.

Key reasons for delayed patching in organizations

Organizations often face hurdles in maintaining a timely patching schedule due to:

• Resource constraints, including lack of time, manpower, or financial resources.
• Compatibility concerns, fearing that new patches might disrupt existing system operations.
• Oversight due to inadequate patch management policies or simple human error.

Such delays, irrespective of the cause, significantly compromise the security and functionality of IT systems. Delayed patching introduces several risks, including:

• Increased susceptibility to cyberattacks.
• System inefficiencies and instability.
• Exposure of sensitive information.
• Legal and compliance violations.

The pathway from unpatched vulnerabilities to system compromise is alarmingly straightforward. Attackers continuously scan for systems running outdated software to exploit known vulnerabilities. Once they find a way in, they can steal data, install malware, or gain unauthorized access, leading to data breaches and cyberattacks.

The risks of delayed patching: A closer look

Increased vulnerabilities

Vulnerabilities in software are akin to unlocked doors for cybercriminals and hackers. They use sophisticated tools and techniques to find and exploit these weaknesses, gaining unauthorized access to systems. When software updates are ignored, these doors remain open, providing cybercriminals with a clear path for intrusion.

Real-world examples of massive breaches due to unpatched systems: Historical incidents show the devastating impact of delayed patching. These breaches often result from attackers exploiting well-known vulnerabilities that had patches available but were not applied. The following is a relatively short list of some of the major known breaches of the last decade or so:

• Equifax (2017): Exploited Apache Struts vulnerability led to 143 million records being compromised. Legal and financial repercussions followed, but Equifax remains operational with significant revenue.
• NotPetya malware attack (2017): Initially targeting Ukraine, this malware caused global disruptions, demonstrating the malware’s potential for widespread economic impact.
• WannaCry ransomware attack (2017): Exploited a Windows vulnerability, impacting global entities, including the NHS, showcasing the importance of software updates.
• Target (2013): Unpatched third-party vendor systems compromised 110 million people’s data, which remains a significant PR crisis for Target.
• Marriott (2014-2018): Unpatched software in a system acquired by Marriott resulted in 500 million records being compromised. Despite initial struggles, Marriott’s valuation remained strong, with ongoing investigations.
•  US voter registry (2017): An unpatched server compromised the records of 198 million voters, sparking widespread speculation and concern around voting security.
• MOVEit Data Breach (May 2023): A critical zero-day vulnerability in Progress Software’s MOVEit Transfer was exploited by the Cl0p ransomware gang, affecting over 2,700 organizations and exposing roughly 93.3 million records. Many victims struggled to deploy the patch in time, which made the damage worse.
• Rackspace (2023): Rackspace Technology was hit by a ransomware attack that exploited a zero-day in Microsoft Exchange Server (CVE-2022-41080). Although a patch existed, Rackspace had not updated, resulting in significant service disruptions.

Compliance and regulatory risks

Failure to patch within a “reasonable time” can lead to non-compliance with HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR, ISO-27001, and FedRAMP. Moreover, these compliance and regulatory violations may translate to hefty fines, piling up on existing burdens brought up by the consequences of delayed patching.

Operational and business risks

Unpatched bugs may seem minor, but they can escalate when they’re already causing system downtime. This disruption can impact earnings through productivity loss. Additionally, if the event becomes public, it may lead to reputational harm that can also make some customers lose their trust in the organization.

Hidden costs

Another topic not discussed much is the cumulative costs of the consequences caused by delayed patching. These are the costs that impact business finances, aside from hefty fines and revenue cuts due to customer loss. Hidden costs include:

• Accumulated vulnerabilities: Longer patching cycles as unpatched systems accumulate vulnerabilities. The more patches that pile up, the more complex and time-consuming the eventual update process becomes, often requiring more downtime and staff hours.
• Higher remediation costs: Breach response isn’t cheap, especially for urgent incidents. The cost may include emergency labor, third-party services, overtime pay, and more. In many instances, remediation costs are higher than proactive patching, proving that prevention is still more ideal and viable.
• Technical debt: Over time, unpatched environments may require complete system overhauls or risky workarounds, making future updates more disruptive and expensive. Some of these systems may become obsolete and are accounted for as legacy tools, leaving businesses with additional replacement costs and migration challenges.

Ransomware, phishing, and SQL injection attacks are types of cyberattacks that exploit unpatched systems. These attacks disrupt operations, steal information, and even hold data for ransom. The financial and reputational repercussions of these attacks can be catastrophic. Businesses may face direct financial losses, regulatory fines, and a loss of customer trust, which can take years to rebuild. 

Get a visual breakdown of the dangers behind delayed patching—watch this short video: ‘The Risks of Delayed Patching: A Guide to Fix Slow Patching’.

Patch management: A path towards mitigating cyberattacks

Patch management is a systematic approach to managing software updates on a computer system. It involves acquiring, testing, and installing multiple code changes called patches to a computer system under one’s administration. Its importance cannot be overstated, as it plays a crucial role in closing security gaps and ensuring the smooth operation of IT systems.

Effective patch management significantly reduces the window of vulnerability, thereby minimizing the risk of cyberattacks. By ensuring patches are applied in a timely manner, organizations can protect themselves against the exploitation of known vulnerabilities.

Implementing a robust patch management system involves:

• Regularly monitor for new patches released by software vendors.
• Assessing the relevance and urgency of applying each patch.
• Testing patches before widespread deployment.
• Documenting the patching process for audit and compliance purposes.

This systematic approach helps prevent data breaches by ensuring that vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.

Best practices to prevent delayed patching

1. Prioritizing patches based on threat severity

Organizations should assess and categorize vulnerabilities based on their severity, potential impact, and the likelihood of exploitation. This prioritization helps in allocating resources to patch critical vulnerabilities first.

2. Following patch benchmarks

Each patch has a different urgency level. In addition to prioritizing severity, you should also consider the “window of exposure.” This pertains to the period during which attackers can exploit a known vulnerability. Here’s the timeline on how fast a patch should be applied that most security teams follow:

• Critical patches: ideally within 24–72 hours. These patches typically address vulnerabilities with known exploits or those rated high impact to confidentiality, integrity, or availability. Applying them immediately is essential, as attackers often weaponize these vulnerabilities within hours of public disclosure.
• High severity: within a week. While not as urgent as critical vulnerabilities, high-severity flaws can still lead to significant attacks if left unpatched. A seven-day window balances the need for quick remediation with time for limited testing.
• Medium/low severity: scheduled with normal update cycles. Patches that address less exploitable issues can usually be bundled into routine monthly or quarterly updates, provided they are monitored to ensure they don’t escalate in risk over time.

3. Automated patch deployment system

Automated patch management tools can streamline the patching process by:

• Automatically downloading and installing patches.
• Scheduling patch deployment during off-peak hours to minimize disruption.
• Providing reports on patching status and compliance.

4. Regularly scheduled system audits and patching routines

Establishing a regular schedule for system audits and patching ensures that systems remain up-to-date and vulnerabilities are promptly addressed. This routine should include:

• Regular vulnerability assessments.
• Scheduled patch deployments.
• Continuous monitoring for new vulnerabilities.

Awareness and training programs can significantly enhance the security posture of an organization by:

• Informing employees about the risks of delayed patching.
• Training staff on recognizing and responding to security threats.
• Encouraging a culture of security mindfulness throughout the organization.

5. Testing patches in controlled environments before broad deployment

Before deploying patches widely, they should be tested in a controlled environment to:

• Ensure compatibility with existing systems.
• Identify any potential issues that could arise from the patch.
• Minimize the risk of disrupting business operations.

Streamline your patch management process

The risks associated with delayed patching are significant and multifaceted, impacting not only the security but also the efficiency and reliability of IT systems. By implementing best practices for patch management, businesses can significantly mitigate these risks and maintain the integrity and security of their digital assets. 

Maintaining up-to-date systems through effective patch management becomes as vital as building resilience in your teams to protect against cyber threats, preserve customer trust, and ensure the long-term success of any organization. Don’t leave your organization vulnerable – streamline your patch management process with NinjaOne’s automated patch management software to ensure a safe and resilient digital environment.