Zero-day vulnerabilities have long vexed cybersecurity teams. There are numerous tools and solutions designed to block threats we know are out there, but how do we take on the threats we don’t yet know about? Zero-day vulnerabilities are flaws in software that attackers exploit before developers are aware of the issue. With no pre-existing patches or defenses, zero-days can remain undetected for weeks or months, giving attackers a critical window to compromise systems.
For Java applications, zero-day threats are particularly concerning due to the language’s ubiquity in enterprise environments and its complexity. Java’s open-source libraries and extensive ecosystem make it difficult to monitor holistically. Traditionally, patching security vulnerabilities in Java applications has required downtime or complex orchestration, leaving organizations vulnerable in the interim. However, Waratek’s unique approach to Runtime Application Self Protection (RASP) platform offers a seamless solution to zero-day exploits — without the need for downtime or code changes.
Traditional Solutions Fall Short
Many organizations use tools like WAFs and intrusion detection systems (IDS) which rely on patching vulnerabilities once they are discovered. This approach does get you out in front of a number of threats to your tech stack, but it has inherent limitations. When a new zero-day is reported, companies must scramble to integrate and test patches, leading to delays in deployment. During this window, your system remains exposed to attack.
It’s all a question of timing: when Log4J was reported in November of 2021, a decent number of companies were indeed given advance warning they needed to deploy patches and neutralize the threat. But there were still hundreds, if not thousands, of companies who were attacked using the Log4Shell exploit before its existence was public knowledge. Meanwhile, even the companies that were able to patch in time after learning of the exploit most likely had to move mountains on the operational side to make sure they got the necessary protections in place. Many had to fully disable their systems’ access to full libraries — many of which obviously were serving some operational function — and leave them off for months if not indefinitely.
Meanwhile, patching in Java applications typically requires restarting the JVM, which can result in significant operational downtime — especially for large enterprises with mission-critical applications.
Waratek eliminates these issues with its dynamic “virtual patching” capability. Virtual patches, implemented through simple security rules, allow organizations to address zero-day vulnerabilities in real-time, without impacting operations. This NoDev and NoOps approach saves organizations time, money, and resources while closing those windows of opportunity attackers have to infiltrate before a vulnerability is publicly known.
The Role of RASP in Zero-Day Protection
Dating all the way back to the days of antiquity, people have used walls to keep out intruders. Walls offer a fantastic layer of initial deterrence, but perfectly exemplify a security strategy with no resilience. No walls are 100 percent effective. This means that when some threats inevitably do pass the first obstacle — like when they exploit a vulnerability that is unknown to the security team — nothing is keeping them from gaining free reign of the crown jewels inside. Resilience requires a lot more creativity and maintenance than perimeter security. Unfortunately, most of the tools available to protect java applications from attackers fail to adequately address internal resilience in a meaningful way. This is where Waratek comes in.
Waratek uses a non-traditional runtime application self-protection (RASP) solution that works by embedding security directly into the Java runtime environment. This allows Waratek to monitor the execution of applications in real time, ensuring that any anomalous or malicious behavior is immediately detected and blocked. Unlike traditional perimeter-based security tools such as Web Application Firewalls (WAFs), which only protect the network boundary, RASP operates inside the application itself. This provides a deeper level of security, identifying threats that bypass external defenses.
Waratek’s approach to zero-day protection is based on real-time monitoring and the enforcement of predefined security rules. By proactively analyzing how data flows through the application, Waratek can intercept malicious inputs before they execute. For example, if a zero-day attack attempts to execute a remote code execution (RCE) via SQL injection, Waratek’s RASP engine monitors the input uses clues in the code’s syntactical tree to detect and neutralize the threat by blocking the dangerous input. This process occurs automatically without the need for a patch or restart of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
Real-Time Zero-Day Protection, No Patches Required
Zero-days are the most difficult kind of vulnerability to guard against. If CVEs and CWEs are an army approaching your castle gates, zero-days are spies hiding amongst your own ranks who elude detection until they’ve already done irreparable damage. Traditional security measures simply aren’t enough to help you defend against what you don’t know about.
Waratek’s RASP solution gives organizations unparalleled control and visibility over their Java applications, protecting against zero-day attacks automatically, without the need for downtime or costly patches. By integrating directly into the Java runtime environment, Waratek identifies and neutralizes threats in real time, ensuring that your critical applications remain secure — even against unknown vulnerabilities.
Interested in how Waratek can secure your Java applications against zero-day threats? Take a tour of our platform today and learn how we can help you protect your network from both known and unknown java vulnerabilities.
