Attackers use exploits to gain unauthorized access, escalate user privileges, or deliver malicious payloads like ransomware or spyware.

Coruna: The Mysterious Journey of a Powerful iOS Exploit Kit

A "zero-day" refers to an exploit for a vulnerability that is unknown to the software vendor, meaning no patch is yet available to fix it. Common Types of Exploits

An exploit is the "delivery mechanism" or the tool used to open a door; it is not the malware itself.