A vulnerability is a weakness or flaw in a system, application, network, or process that can be exploited by threat actors to gain unauthorized access, disrupt operations, or compromise sensitive data. Vulnerabilities can exist due to design flaws, coding errors, misconfigurations, or outdated software versions. Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities is a crucial aspect of cybersecurity, as unmitigated vulnerabilities can provide entry points for cyber attacks and data breaches.