What is defined as a flaw or weakness in software that can be exploited by attackers?

The term that describes a flaw or weakness in software that can be exploited by attackers is a software vulnerability. Vulnerabilities are specific weaknesses in a system's design, implementation, or operation that may be exploited to compromise the integrity, confidentiality, or availability of the software and the data it processes. Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities is crucial in the software development lifecycle to ensure security and protect against potential attacks.

In the broader context of software security, understanding vulnerabilities helps organizations prioritize their security measures and implement appropriate safeguards. Vulnerabilities can arise from various sources, including flawed code, design oversights, misconfigurations, or even external factors like social engineering attacks.

While the other terms, such as software anomaly, software bug, and software error, refer to issues related to software functionality or performance, they do not specifically denote exploitable weaknesses. A "software anomaly" could refer to any unexpected behavior in a system, a "software bug" typically refers to a mistake in the code that produces incorrect results, and a "software error" refers to deviations from expected behavior. However, not all of these issues result in exploitable security risks. Thus, the most precise term in this context is a software vulnerability.