Attack Vector, Attack Surface and Threat Vector
Vector - It is a quantity having direction as well as magnitude
Attack Vector - is a “method” of gaining unauthorized access to a network or computer system. It takes many forms such as malware, ransomware, compromised credentials, phishing, web pages, pop-ups etc; basically any method that intends to compromise a system.
Attack Surface - is the total number of attack vectors an attacker can use to manipulate or compromise a network or system. Can also be defined as the total number of possible methods to attack a network or system.
Threat Vector - can be used interchangeably with attack vector and generally describes the potential ways a hacker can gain access to data or other confidential information.
https://www.upguard.com/blog/attack-vector#:~:text=minimize%20cybersecurity%20risk.-,What%20is%20the%20Difference%20Between%20an%20Attack%20Vector%2C%20Attack%20Surface,computer%20system%20or%20extract%20data.
The best answer is B. An attack vector identifies the specific components that can be exploited in a system or network, while an attack surface refers to the overall set of potential entry points that an attacker could use to gain access to the system or network. The attack surface includes all possible attack vectors and provides a way to classify the potential paths for exploitation.
Option C is incorrect because an attack surface does not necessarily mitigate external vulnerabilities. Instead, it refers to the sum of all potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses that attackers could exploit to carry out an attack. Mitigation of external vulnerabilities refers to hardening a system or network to make it more resilient to external threats.
Option D is incorrect because it suggests that an attack vector specifies which attacks are feasible to vulnerable parts. However, an attack vector is the path or method used by an attacker to carry out an attack, and it may involve one or more attack methods. The attack vector is not concerned with the feasibility of the attack; rather, it describes the means by which the attacker intends to exploit a vulnerability in the attack surface.
The correct answer is D.
An attack surface refers to the set of all the possible entry points through which an attacker could gain unauthorized access to a system or an organization's assets. It includes all the hardware, software, and network components that can be exploited by an attacker.
On the other hand, an attack vector refers to the specific method or technique that an attacker can use to exploit a vulnerability within the attack surface. Attack vectors can be classified as network-based, social engineering-based, or software-based, and they provide a roadmap for attackers to carry out their attack.
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