[Cyber Security Terms](/glossary) Attack Vector [Blog](/blog)[Breaches](/breaches)[Resources](/resources)[News](/news) [Cyber Security Terms](/glossary) # Attack Vector ##### [Edward Kost](/team/edward-kost) updated Oct 12, 2022 ###### Contents ## Define: Attack Vector A cyber [attack vector](https://www.upguard.com/blog/attack-vector) is a method of gaining unauthorized access to a private IT network. Cybercriminals exploit attack vectors to launch [cyberattacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cyber-attack) and inject malicious payloads. Attack vectors can be digital, such as a software vulnerability, or analog, such as an employee that can be influenced to divulge private access credentials. Third-party vendors are critical attack vectors since they have access to the private data of each business they’ve partnered with. Because of this, when a vendor is compromised, all of its clients often become compromised too. This type of cyberattack is known as a [supply chain attack](https://www.upguard.com/blog/supply-chain-attack) and because of its efficiency, it’s quickly becoming the favourite choice amongst cybercriminals. ## 17 Most Common Attack Vectors The 17 most common attack vectors are: 1. Compromised Credentials 2. Weak Credentials 3. Uneducated Employees 4. Insider Threats 5. Poor Encryption 6. Unpatched Software 7. [Security Vulnerabilities](https://www.upguard.com/blog/vulnerability)  8. [Third-party Vendors](https://www.upguard.com/blog/third-party-vendor) 9. [Phishing Attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/phishing) 10. [Ransomware](https://www.upguard.com/blog/ransomware) 11. [Brute Force Attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/brute-force-attack) 12. [Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) Attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/what-is-a-ddos-attack) 13. SQL Injections 14. Trojans 15. Session Hijacking 16. [Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)](https://www.upguard.com/blog/cross-site-scripting-xss) 17. [Man-in-the-Middle Attacks](https://www.upguard.com/blog/man-in-the-middle-attack) ## Key takeaways * Attack vectors offer cybercriminals potential pathways to private networks and resources. * Third and fourth-party vendors are commonly overlooked attack vectors that could facilitate unauthorized sensitive data access if they are compromised. * Organizations should implement cyber awareness training to address the human element of attack vectors. * * ###### Reviewed by No items found. ###### Author ##### [Edward Kost](/team/edward-kost) ###### Reviewed by ##### [Kaushik Sen](/team/kaushik-sen) ###### Join 27,000+ cybersecurity newsletter subscribers ## Read more about Attack Vectors Learn more about Attack Vector and the latest issues in cybersecurity. [UpGuard](/blog/attack-surface-management-vs-vulnerability-management) [Attack Surface Management vs. Vulnerability Management](/blog/attack-surface-management-vs-vulnerability-management) #### [Attack Surface Management vs. Vulnerability Management](/blog/attack-surface-management-vs-vulnerability-management) Learn the difference between attack surface management and vulnerability management. [](/team/kaushik-sen) [Kaushik Sen](#) July 9, 2025 [UpGuard](/blog/attack-vector) [What is an Attack Vector? 16 Critical Examples](/blog/attack-vector) #### [What is an Attack Vector? 16 Critical Examples](/blog/attack-vector) An attack vector is a path or means by which an attacker can gain unauthorized access to a computer or network to deliver a payload or malicious outcome. [](/team/abi-tyas-tunggal) [Abi Tyas Tunggal](#) October 20, 2026 [View all blog posts](/blog) ## See UpGuard In Action Book a free, personalized onboarding call with one of our cybersecurity experts. 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