What defines a software vulnerability?

A software vulnerability is defined as a flaw or weakness in the software that can be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or perform unwanted actions on a system. These vulnerabilities can arise from coding errors, poor configuration, or inherent design flaws within the software itself. When an application has such vulnerabilities, it can allow various types of attacks, including data breaches, injection attacks, and privilege escalation, among others.

Understanding the nature of software vulnerabilities is crucial for cybersecurity. It helps organizations focus on identifying and patching these vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. This proactive approach is a fundamental part of securing software systems and mitigating potential risks.

The other options pertain to different aspects of technology and cybersecurity but do not align with the definition of software vulnerabilities. Flaws in hardware, user authentication methods, and types of malware each represent distinct concepts that are relevant to the broader field of cybersecurity but do not specifically define what a software vulnerability is.