What Is an Exploit? Understanding Vulnerabilities and Threat Mitigation

This report provides an overview of software exploits in 2025, defining common exploit types (RCE, buffer overflow, SQL injection, XSS, privilege escalation, zero-days, logic flaws, misconfigurations), describing the exploit lifecycle (discovery through execution), citing example CVEs and incidents, and recommending mitigation and risk-prioritization practices such as vulnerability management, timely patching, access controls, secure development, and supply-chain monitoring.