A recently disclosed cyberattack targeting the CentreStack file-sharing platform underscores a troubling reality for today’s businesses: traditional cybersecurity tools that rely on “detect and respond” simply can’t keep up with modern threats.
According to Cybersecurity Dive, attackers exploited a zero-day vulnerability in Gladinet’s CentreStack, a remote access and file-sharing solution used by organizations to manage data across cloud and on-prem environments. The flaw allowed threat actors to gain unauthorized access and execute code — all without needing to bypass traditional detection tools first.
Gladinet acknowledged the vulnerability and released a patch, but not before it had been actively exploited in the wild. This is yet another example in a growing trend: by the time you detect an attack, the damage may already be done.
Zero-Day Exploits Are Rising — And So Are the Consequences
Zero-day vulnerabilities — flaws unknown to software vendors at the time of exploitation — are becoming more frequent and dangerous. These exploits give cybercriminals a massive advantage, letting them compromise systems before anyone knows there’s a problem.
In the CentreStack case, the attack reportedly allowed remote code execution, giving hackers a foothold within corporate networks that could be used for further lateral movement, data theft, or ransomware deployment. Because zero-days are, by definition, undiscovered, traditional antivirus, endpoint detection and response (EDR), and even next-gen tools that rely on known behavior patterns are blind to them — at least until it's too late.
Detect and Respond Is Failing — Businesses Need a New Approach
The CentreStack incident is not an isolated event. It’s just the latest in a long string of examples where cybercriminals bypass detection systems by exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities. Once inside, they move quickly to encrypt data, steal credentials, or sell access to ransomware groups.
This highlights a critical failure in the “detect and respond” security model. By the time these tools identify an attack, attackers have often already compromised systems and executed their payloads.
What businesses need instead is a proactive, prevention-first approach that doesn't rely on knowledge of the threat in advance.
Isolation and Containment: A Smarter Defense
AppGuard offers a proven, battle-tested solution that addresses exactly this problem. Unlike reactive tools that attempt to detect malicious activity after it begins, AppGuard uses a patented isolation and containment technology that prevents malware — even zero-day malware — from executing in the first place.
With over 10 years of real-world success, including deployments in U.S. government and Fortune 500 environments, AppGuard’s approach neutralizes threats without relying on patches, signatures, or constant updates.
Here’s how it works:
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Process Isolation: AppGuard prevents unauthorized processes from launching or spreading — even if the malware is unknown or undetectable.
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Inheritance Control: If a legitimate app (like a browser or PDF reader) is hijacked, AppGuard blocks it from launching other processes or accessing sensitive files.
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Zero Trust Execution: Applications operate under strict policies, ensuring only trusted behavior is allowed, while everything else is contained automatically.
Even if your software has a vulnerability — like the one found in CentreStack — AppGuard ensures that an exploit cannot succeed in running malicious code or escalating privileges.
Why Small and Mid-Sized Businesses Can’t Afford to Wait
While large enterprises may have security teams, incident response plans, and budget flexibility, most small and mid-sized businesses don’t — and yet they’re just as exposed to zero-day risks. Worse still, they are increasingly being targeted because attackers know these businesses lack adequate protection.
CentreStack is popular among managed service providers (MSPs) and SMBs that need to enable remote access and collaboration. If your organization relies on similar platforms, it’s time to rethink your defense posture. If you're only detecting threats after they’ve broken in, you’re playing defense far too late.
AppGuard: Stop Attacks Before They Start
At CHIPS, we believe it’s time to shift the cybersecurity conversation from response to prevention. AppGuard enables that shift by ensuring that even if attackers exploit a vulnerability, their malware cannot execute — keeping your business safe even in the face of the unknown.
Don’t wait for the next zero-day to find you. Talk with us at CHIPS about how AppGuard can protect your organization before the next threat becomes tomorrow’s headline.
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