Outdated components are a silent security risk - but one that attackers love to exploit. That’s why OWASP ranks it at no.6 in its Top 10. But what exactly is the risk, how do attackers take advantage of it, and how can you prevent it?

–

01 – What are vulnerable and outdated components?

Simply put, this risk arises when software dependencies – third party libraries, frameworks, or even core components – aren’t updated regularly, leaving known vulnerabilities exposed.

Some common causes include:

• Unpatched software – Failing to apply security updates, leaving known exploits open.
• Unsupported components – Using libraries or frameworks that no longer receive updates.
• Unverified dependencies – Downloading from unofficial sources, risking supply chain attacks.
• Unused or bloated software – Retaining unnecessary dependencies that expand the attack surface.
• Lack of visibility – No inventory of components, making it easy to miss security flaws.

When an outdated component has a publicly known vulnerability, attackers can easily exploit it – especially if no fix has been applied.

–

02 – How is it exploited?

This is one of the most exploited vulnerabilities in recent years, with high–profile breaches proving just how devastating outdated components can be.

In 2017, Equifax suffered a massive data breach after failing to patch a known vulnerability in Apache Struts, exposing 147 million records, including sensitive financial data. That same year, the WannaCry ransomware attack exploited an unpatched Windows vulnerability, spreading globally and infecting over 230,000 systems.

More recently, in 2020, SolarWinds became a cautionary tale when malicious actors injected a backdoor into its widely used IT monitoring software update, compromising thousands of organisations.

Attackers don’t need cutting–edge zero-day exploits when they can simply target known vulnerabilities that haven’t been patched.

–

03 – How do you prevent it?

By taking a Secure by Design approach you can ensure components don’t become a security vulnerability. Some key actions include:

• Maintain an inventory – Track all software components, including dependencies, frameworks, and third–party libraries.
• Use Software Composition Analysis (SCA) – Automate vulnerability detection in dependencies with tools like Snyk or OWASP Dependency–Check.
• Apply security updates promptly – Follow a structured patch management process to keep software up to date.
• Remove unused components – Regularly audit and eliminate unnecessary libraries and frameworks.
• Verify sources – Only download components from trusted sources and prefer signed packages.
• Automate dependency checks – Integrate dependency scanners into CI/CD pipelines to flag outdated or vulnerable components before they reach production.
• Perform penetration testing – Identify component weaknesses before attackers do.

–

Vulnerable and outdated components pose a direct security risk, attackers are constantly scanning for ones with known vulnerabilities. Stay ahead of them by embedding security updates and proactive monitoring into your development process.