At which point in the Cyber Kill Chain is a weapon actually triggered to exploit a vulnerability?

The point in the Cyber Kill Chain where a weapon is actually triggered to exploit a vulnerability is during the exploitation phase. This phase follows the delivery of the weaponized payload to the target. Once the attacker has successfully delivered the malicious exploit to the intended system or user, exploitation occurs when the payload is executed and takes advantage of specific vulnerabilities present in the target environment.

The exploitation phase is critical because it represents the moment when the attacker’s initial access is gained, allowing them to execute harmful actions, such as installing malware, stealing data, or further compromising the system. Recognizing this phase helps individuals in cybersecurity understand how attackers progress to gain control over systems and the importance of timely detection and response measures in mitigating such threats.

The other choices represent different stages in the Cyber Kill Chain. Weaponization involves creating a malicious payload, delivery is about transmitting that payload to the target, and installation refers to the subsequent stage where the attacker establishes persistence on the target system after exploitation. Understanding these distinctions helps professionals in cybersecurity construct effective defenses against potential attacks.