Exploit: A technique used to compromise a system. This term can be a verb or a noun.
Threat agents may attempt to exploit a system or other information asset by using it
illegally for their personal gain. Or, an exploit can be a documented process to take
advantage of a vulnerability or exposure, usually in software, that is either inherent in
the software or is created by the attacker. Exploits make use of existing software tools
or custom-made software components.