Verizon DBIR: Vulnerability exploitation is the dominant initial access vector

Vulnerability exploitation has overtaken stolen credentials as the most common way attackers gain initial access to target networks, according to the 2026 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report. This is the first time credential theft has been knocked off the top spot in the report’s 19-year history, the company noted. Known initial access vectors over time (Source: Verizon 2026 DBIR) What is Verizon DBIR?