EternalBlue, a cyber exploit that emerged in 2017, targets a vulnerability in Microsoft's Server Message Block version 1 (SMBv1) protocol. This flaw allows attackers to execute arbitrary code remotely, potentially compromising entire networks. The exploit gained notoriety when it was used in the WannaCry ransomware attack, which affected hundreds of thousands of computers worldwide. Despite Microsoft releasing a security patch (MS17-010) shortly after the exploit's discovery, many systems remained unpatched, leaving them susceptible to attacks. cisecurity.org
As of 2025, EternalBlue continues to be a significant threat. Its persistence is largely due to the widespread use of outdated Windows systems and the failure to apply critical security updates. The exploit's ability to self-propagate across networks means that a single unpatched device can lead to widespread infection. This underscores the importance of regular system updates and the decommissioning of unsupported software versions. Organizations are encouraged to disable SMBv1 and transition to more secure versions of the protocol to mitigate risks associated with EternalBlue. blog.hunterstrategy.net