The software you use every day might be putting you at risk—and not because you’re doing anything wrong. Hackers in 2025 aren’t just going after obscure tools or poorly made apps. They’re going after the stuff you probably rely on every single day.
From operating systems to business email platforms, attackers are picking targets based on one key factor: impact. If breaking into a system can give them access to thousands—or millions—of users or sensitive data, it becomes a priority.
Here’s a breakdown of what the software cybercriminals are loving right now, what makes it vulnerable, and how those weaknesses are being exploited.
1. Microsoft Windows Remains the Top Target
No surprise here. Microsoft Windows continues to be the world’s most used operating system, which makes it the perfect playground for attackers.
It’s not just about desktop computers either—Windows powers everything from enterprise servers to point-of-sale machines.
Two major vulnerabilities have kept Windows high on the hacker wishlist:
- Zerologon (CVE-2020-1472), which allowed attackers to bypass authentication entirely. In real terms? They could take over an entire network with minimal effort.
- PetitPotam (CVE-2021-36942), which let intruders escalate privileges and impersonate users to move across systems.
Even though patches exist, many organizations are still behind on updates, making it easy for attackers to walk right in. Implementing a vpn for PC can add an extra layer of protection against such vulnerabilities.
2. Apache Log4j 2
Most users have never heard of Apache Log4j 2, but if you’ve used any major cloud-based service, you’ve relied on it. It’s a Java logging library—essentially a behind-the-scenes tool used in thousands of applications.
That’s what made Log4Shell (CVE-2021-44228) such a disaster. A flaw in how Log4j handled certain inputs allowed attackers to execute code remotely. It was fast, easy to exploit, and affected everyone from big tech companies to government systems.
Years later, unpatched systems are still out there. And hackers know it.
3. SAP NetWeaver
SAP NetWeaver doesn’t sound exciting—unless you’re a hacker who wants to steal financial data or disrupt business operations.
In 2022, a vulnerability known as ICMAD (CVE-2022-22536) exposed SAP systems to remote code execution. That meant an attacker could hijack the application server, manipulate data, or steal sensitive information—all without needing credentials.
For businesses that rely on SAP for everything from payroll to logistics, the consequences were massive. It’s another case where mission-critical software quietly became a top-tier target.
4. Microsoft Exchange Server
If a hacker wants to steal sensitive data, email is a good place to start. Microsoft Exchange Server is widely used by businesses and governments, which makes it a high-value entry point.
Enter ProxyLogon (CVE-2021-26855), a vulnerability that let attackers gain access to mailboxes, grab credentials, and pivot into other parts of the network. It wasn’t just theory—this one was actively used in targeted attacks by state-sponsored groups.
The worst part? It worked even when security tools were in place, as the exploit abused legitimate server functions. That’s part of what made it so difficult to detect early on.
5. Spring Framework
Java developers know the Spring Framework well. It’s the foundation of many web apps used in finance, healthcare, education, and tech. And it’s precisely that wide reach that made Spring4Shell (CVE-2022-22965) so dangerous.
By exploiting how Spring handled certain requests, attackers could execute code remotely. In the hands of a skilled threat actor, that meant complete control of an application.
Once again, speed mattered more than complexity. Hackers moved fast after the flaw was disclosed, targeting apps that hadn’t been patched. For companies slow to react, it was a costly lesson.
6. Atlassian Confluence Server
You might think of Confluence as a wiki or a digital notebook for teams. But for attackers, it’s something more: a treasure trove of credentials, internal documentation, and sometimes even private links to production systems.
In 2022, a critical vulnerability (CVE-2022-26134) opened the door for remote code execution. Attackers didn’t need credentials—they just needed access to a vulnerable instance.
Many teams learned the hard way that documentation platforms aren’t just internal tools. They’re attack surfaces, especially when left exposed to the internet.
7. VMware vCenter Server
Virtual machines are the backbone of modern enterprise infrastructure, and VMware vCenter Server is often the tool managing them all.
That’s what made CVE-2021-21972 so dangerous. It allowed attackers to run arbitrary code without authentication. In some cases, it let them move from a compromised machine to complete control over an entire virtualized environment.
When combined with privilege escalation flaws like PetitPotam, the risk multiplied. The result? A vulnerability that affected not just individual servers, but entire ecosystems.
8. Google Chrome
Billions of people use Google Chrome. That makes it one of the most attractive delivery mechanisms for malware, spyware, and phishing attacks.
In 2022, CVE-2022-0609 emerged as a high-severity zero-day exploit. Hackers were already using it in the wild before most users even knew it existed.
Browser vulnerabilities are scary because they often need little input from the victim. Just visiting the wrong page—or clicking a link in a phishing email—can trigger the exploit.
Even with Chrome’s rapid update cycle, many users fall behind. And attackers count on that lag.
9. MSDT – The Hidden Risk Inside Microsoft Office
The Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) isn’t something most users even know exists. But it became headline news thanks to Follina (CVE-2022-30190), a vulnerability that abused Office files to execute malicious code.
The attack was subtle: a Word document with a remote reference would call MSDT, which then ran code on the victim’s machine. No macros, no pop-ups—just a quiet takeover.
What made it so effective was how it bypassed many traditional defenses. And it worked even when users had disabled macros, which most security advice had recommended for years.
What’s Making All These Platforms So Vulnerable?
There’s no single answer, but a few patterns emerge across the board.
For starters, many of these tools are deeply embedded into how we work and communicate. That means they have a wide attack surface—and often get used in ways their developers never expected.
Second, updates aren’t always applied on time. Whether it’s due to legacy systems, IT bottlenecks, or simple human error, unpatched software stays vulnerable for far too long.
And finally, cybercriminals have become faster and more organized. Zero-day vulnerabilities—flaws that haven’t been patched yet—are being discovered and exploited in record time.
Other Risky Trends to Watch
The nine software platforms we just covered are high-profile targets, but they’re not alone.
In 2024, cloud-based services like Ticketmaster and Snowflake were breached due to poorly secured APIs and misconfigured access controls. Meanwhile, as Cybernews reported, a massive credential dump known as the “Mother of All Breaches” exposed 26 billion records across platforms like Adobe and LinkedIn.
Even productivity tools and social platforms are under fire. And manufacturing has emerged as the most targeted industry for ransomware, seeing a 41% increase in attacks in the past year alone.
So, What Can You Do About It?
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You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to reduce your risk—but you do need to be proactive. Here’s what works:
- Install updates promptly. Especially for the software listed above. Don’t wait for “later.”
- Use multi-factor authentication. It’s one of the simplest ways to prevent account takeovers.
- Stay alert for phishing attempts. Educate your team. One bad click can open the floodgates.
- Segment your network. Don’t let a single compromised device infect everything else.
- Monitor everything. Logging, detection tools, and regular audits can catch suspicious behavior before it snowballs.
Final Thoughts
Hackers aren’t going after you personally—they’re going after the low-hanging fruit. And often, that fruit is unpatched software, overlooked tools, or a user who clicked a bad link.
The good news? You can move out of the “easy target” zone pretty quickly with a few key habits. Keep your systems current. Be cautious with what you open and where you click. And if you’re running any of the software we talked about—make sure it’s up to date.
Because the attackers aren’t slowing down. But with the right mindset, neither are you.
