What Is an Exploit? Understanding Vulnerabilities and Threat Mitigation
Defining the Exploit in 2025
An exploit is a deliberate method—often a script, payload, or command sequence—used to take advantage of a vulnerability in software, hardware, or system configurations. Exploits allow attackers to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, steal data, or disrupt operations.
Exploits rely on a vulnerability: A flaw or weakness in code, logic, or settings. A vulnerability alone poses a risk, but it becomes dangerous when weaponized through an exploit. Some exploits are mass-distributed and automated. Others are custom-built by advanced threat actors or cybercriminal groups for high-value targets.
Understanding how exploits operate—and how to prevent software exploitation—is central to modern security strategy.
Types of Exploits
Exploits vary widely in method and impact. Security teams must understand the major categories to detect and respond quickly.
Remote Code Execution (RCE)
Enables attackers to run arbitrary code on a target system from a remote location.
Example of RCE: The Log4Shell vulnerability (CVE-2021-44228) allowed attackers to execute code on millions of vulnerable Java systems. In early 2025, suspected Chinese-linked hackers exploited an SAP NetWeaver flaw (CVE-2025-31324) to conduct remote code execution (RCE) against numerous organizations.
Buffer Overflow
Occurs when attackers overload a memory buffer, leading to crashes or code execution.
Example of buffer overflow: Older Windows systems were frequently exploited this way to gain elevated access.
SQL Injection
Injects malicious SQL statements into input fields to manipulate backend databases.
Example of SQL injection: In 2025, researchers from Rapid7 reported on CVE-2025-1094, which affected the PostgreSQL.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Injects malicious scripts into web pages that affect users who view them.
Example of XSS: Attackers can steal cookies, impersonate users, or hijack sessions.
Privilege Escalation
Involves gaining higher privileges than intended by exploiting flaws in permission models.
Example of privilege escalation: A user exploiting misconfigured services to gain administrator access.
Zero-Day Exploits
Target vulnerabilities unknown to the public or vendors.
Example of a zero-day (or 0day): In a notorious incident that demonstrated cybersecurity incidents’ ability to have physical impacts, Stuxnet, a computer worm, used zero-day vulnerabilities to disable Iranian nuclear centrifuges at the Natanz facility.
Logic Flaws
Exploit weaknesses in application design or business logic.
Example of logic flaws: Reapplying discount codes repeatedly in an e-commerce platform.
Misconfiguration Exploits
Take advantage of insecure default settings or exposed services.
Example of misconfiguration exploits: Exploiting public cloud storage buckets with no access controls.
Many attacks involve more than one type of exploit. These chains—known as exploit chains—combine multiple vulnerabilities in sequence to evade detection or increase access.
Where Exploits Happen in the Cyber Ecosystem
Exploits are not limited to software flaws. Attackers target every layer of the modern technology stack:
- Web applications and APIs
- Network protocols
- Identity and access systems
- Email infrastructure
- Mobile apps
- Firmware and embedded systems
- Cloud configurations
- Internet of Things (IoT) devices
Because systems are interconnected, attackers often move laterally, linking together different types of exploits across platforms.
The Exploit Lifecycle
Each exploit follows a general lifecycle. Understanding this process allows security teams to intervene before damage is done.
Discovery
When researchers, internal teams, or attackers find flaws
Disclosure
Details are reported to vendors or listed in the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database.
Exploit Development
Attackers or red teams build reliable code to trigger the vulnerability.
Weaponization
Hackers can combine the exploit with malware, scripts, or payloads.
Delivery
Distributed via phishing, compromised infrastructure, or websites.
Execution
The exploit runs and enables unauthorized actions like data theft, lateral movement, or privilege escalation.
Monitoring this cycle helps defenders stop exploits earlier in their development and delivery phases.
What’s the Difference Between a Vulnerability and an Exploit?
A vulnerability is a software flaw or misconfiguration. An exploit is the method used to abuse that flaw.
Not all vulnerabilities lead to exploitation. Exploitability depends on:
- Network exposure
- Whether authentication is required
- Available mitigations
- Existence of public exploit code
- Presence of detection and response tools
Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) scores help estimate severity, but defenders must also assess exposure. Vulnerability management strategies should not rely on CVSS scores alone.
How Are Exploits Used in Cyberattacks?
Attackers use exploits to achieve their objectives: Access, disruption, theft, or persistence. Exploits are delivered through phishing emails, malicious links, supply chain compromises, or automated bots scanning for exposed CVEs.
An exploit may:
- Deploy malware or ransomware
- Hijack user sessions
- Escalate privileges
- Extract data
- Move laterally across systems
- Disable detection tools
Organizations must defend against both initial exploits and secondary steps in the attack chain.
Prioritizing Exploit Risk
Organizations use scoring systems to evaluate vulnerability risk:
CVE
A standardized ID system for public vulnerabilities. Example: CVE-2023-34362 references a zero-day used in MOVEit attacks.
CVSS
Scores severity on a 0.0–10.0 scale.
- 0.0–3.9: Low
- 4.0–6.9: Medium
- 7.0–8.9: High
- 9.0–10.0: Critical
EPSS
The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) estimates the likelihood of exploitation in the wild. When defenders use EPSS in concert with CVSS, it supports better vulnerability management and patch prioritization.
How to Prevent Software Exploitation
Mitigating exploits requires a layered strategy. Below is a non-exhaustive list of several components to a successful strategy—but no single control is enough:
- Vulnerability Management and Scanning
Use automated scanners to detect flaws across infrastructure. Prioritize based on CVSS, EPSS, and business context. - Timely Patching
Apply patches quickly, especially for known exploits or active threats. A risk-based patching model is more effective than chronological patch cycles. - Access Control and Network Segmentation
Limit privileges and segment networks to reduce attacker mobility after initial compromise. - Monitor Exploit Kits and Threat Intelligence
Stay updated on available exploit kits and threat intelligence. SecurityScorecard integrates real-time alerts tied to exploitable CVEs, emerging CVEs not widely publicized yet, their severity, and patch availability. - Secure Development Practices
Embed testing tools like SAST and DAST into the development pipeline. Review code and fix logic issues early.
Exploits Through Third Parties
Even if internal systems are secure, third-party vendors can introduce exploitable software flaws.
Attacks like SolarWinds and MOVEit show how one vendor breach can ripple across hundreds of organizations.
SecurityScorecard addresses this with:
- Scanning of public-facing infrastructure
- Alerts on CVE exploitation activity
- Intelligence that reflects CVE exploitability
This insight improves third-party risk posture and strengthens supply chain defense.
Elevating Exploit Defense into a Strategic Priority
Effective defense against cybersecurity exploits is about more than patching. It requires understanding how exploits evolve, where they enter your ecosystem, and how to stop them before they spread. With exploit chains targeting both infrastructure and software supply chains, defense requires full-spectrum visibility, strong vulnerability management, and a culture of rapid response.
Protect Your Supply Chain with Real-Time Threat Detection
SecurityScorecard’s SCDR solution offers continuous monitoring of your third-party ecosystem, enabling swift identification and mitigation of cyber threats. Enhance your organization’s resilience by proactively managing supply chain risks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are exploits used in cyberattacks?
Exploits allow attackers to bypass defenses, escalate access, and disrupt systems. They are used in phishing, ransomware, and supply chain attacks.
What’s the difference between a vulnerability and an exploit?
A vulnerability is a flaw in software or systems. An exploit is the code or method used to take advantage of the flaw.
How to prevent software exploitation?
Use vulnerability scanning, threat intelligence, patch management, segmentation, exploit mitigations, and secure development practices to reduce risk.
Are zero-day exploits more dangerous than known flaws?
They can be. Hackers can exploit unpatched flaws when teams are not implementing best practices—making them dangerous over time. But zero-day exploits have no patch at the time of attack.
