GLOSSARY  /  Vulnerability

What is Vulnerability?

A weakness in a system that can be exploited to compromise its security.

Vulnerabilities arise from coding flaws, misconfigurations, or design weaknesses. Public ones get a CVE identifier and a CVSS severity score; their underlying weakness type is classified by CWE.

Not every vulnerability is exploitable in every context.

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Part of the Ciphers Security glossary. Free reference for analysts, defenders & learners.