During a security audit of an application stack, you notice the application is utilizing an outdated open source component known for its critical vulnerabilities that have been patched in subsequent releases. Exploiting these vulnerabilities could lead attackers to compromise the hosting server. Which type of vulnerability does this scenario BEST describe?
The scenario describes a dependency vulnerability, which occurs when an application relies on external components, libraries, or frameworks with known security issues that are not patched or updated. Attackers might exploit these vulnerabilities to breach systems if the dependencies are outdated and contain unfixed security flaws. Patching fragmentation refers to the inconsistent application of patches across systems, often seen in organizations with complex environments where some systems remain unpatched. Thus, a system using an outdated and vulnerable component is primarily at risk from dependency vulnerabilities.
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