Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability is a weakness in software, hardware, or procedures that can be exploited by an attacker to gain unauthorized access, disrupt services, or steal data. These flaws can exist in operating systems, applications, protocols, and even user behavior.

To help standardize the way we talk about and address these weaknesses, the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) was created. CWE is a publicly available list that categorizes common software and hardware weaknesses. Each CWE entry includes a unique identifier, a detailed description, and examples of how the weakness might be exploited.

By using CWE, developers, security professionals, and tool vendors can better communicate about vulnerabilities, assess risk, and implement targeted mitigation strategies. It also forms the foundation for vulnerability scoring systems like CVSS and standards like OWASP Top 10.