Attack Path

Primary definition

An attack path is a sequence of interconnected steps that attackers use to navigate an organization's IT environment to reach critical assets, moving from initial entry to a final objective. It chains together vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and user permissions to pivot through systems. Attack path analysis allows security teams to map, visualize, and prioritize fixing these routes before exploitation

Also known asattack vector path · exploitation path · threat path · kill chain · attack chain · compromise path · attack trajectory · attack route
2 sources cited4 related termsReviewed Aug 10, 2026
NICCS GlossaryView source

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NICCS

An attack path is a sequence of interconnected steps that attackers use to navigate an organization's IT environment to reach critical assets, moving from initial entry to a final objective. It chains together vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and user permissions to pivot through systems. Attack path analysis allows security teams to map, visualize, and prioritize fixing these routes before exploitation

NICCS Glossary · 2024

Cite this term

Permanent URL · stable across revisions
Election Security Glossary. (2026). Attack Path. In Election Security Glossary. Retrieved August 13, 2026, from https://electionsecurityglossary.com/glossary/attack-path

Sources

2 cited · last checked Aug 10, 2026

01

NICCS Glossary
NICCS Glossary

High consensus

View source

02

The Cyber Glossary
The Cyber Glossary

Disputed

View source

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