What action is triggered when a vulnerability is exploited?

When a vulnerability is exploited, it leads to an attack. An attack refers to the actual act of taking advantage of a security weakness, often resulting in unauthorized access or disruption of services. This is a direct manifestation of a vulnerability that has been targeted by an adversary, which can result in various negative outcomes like data breaches, loss of data integrity, or denial of service.

In the broader context, a vulnerability represents a weakness that can be exploited, a threat signifies a potential danger that can exploit that vulnerability, and a risk assesses the likelihood and impact of an attack occurring. However, the immediate term that captures the event itself—when someone actively exploits a vulnerability—is an attack. Understanding this helps clarify the roles these terms play in the landscape of cybersecurity.