What aspect does the CVSS system primarily evaluate regarding vulnerabilities?

The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) is designed to provide a standard framework for assessing the characteristics and impacts of vulnerabilities in software and systems. The primary focus of CVSS is on evaluating two main aspects: exploitability and impact.

Exploitability refers to how easily a vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker. This includes factors such as the complexity of the attack required, the privileges needed to exploit it, and whether any user interaction is necessary. Understanding these elements helps organizations prioritize their response to vulnerabilities based on the likelihood of exploitation.

Impact, on the other hand, assesses the consequences of a vulnerability being successfully exploited. This includes considerations like the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system or data. By evaluating the potential damage caused by a successful attack, CVSS enables organizations to understand the severity of a vulnerability.

Together, these aspects help organizations make informed decisions regarding risk management, resource allocation for remediation, and prioritization of security efforts. Therefore, focusing on exploitability and impact aligns with CVSS's goal to standardize vulnerability assessment across various platforms and contexts.