Cybersecurity
Exploit
Definition
An exploit is a piece of software, a chunk of data, or a sequence of commands that takes advantage of a bug or vulnerability in order to cause unintended or unanticipated behavior to occur on computer software, hardware, or something electronic.
Why It Matters
Exploits are the tools that attackers use to turn a theoretical vulnerability into an actual compromise. They are the "how" of a cyberattack.
Contextual Example
After a "buffer overflow" vulnerability is discovered, an attacker might write an exploit that sends a specially crafted, oversized input to the vulnerable program. This input is designed to overwrite memory and execute malicious code, giving the attacker control of the system.
Common Misunderstandings
- A vulnerability is the flaw; an exploit is the tool used to attack it.
- Exploit kits are collections of exploits that can be used to attack different vulnerabilities.