---
type: "term"
title: "Exploiting Client (#3)"
description: "A threat cluster where an attacker targets and leverages implementation flaws within any component acting in a client role (requesting/processing data from a server or resource)."
resource: "tlctc:term:exploiting-client-3"
tags:
  - "glossary"
---
# Exploiting Client (#3)

A threat cluster where an attacker targets and leverages implementation flaws within any component acting in a client role (requesting/processing data from a server or resource). These vulnerabilities allow manipulation of client behavior or unauthorized access using Exploit Code, often when the client interacts with malicious content. The generic vulnerability is that client-side implementation flaws enable unintended behavior. "Implementation" is substrate-neutral — the flawed logic may live in application source code, firmware, microcode, or hardware logic; per R-SUBSTRATE, the location of a flaw never determines the cluster, the role of the flawed component does.

**Related reading:** [Kernel as Client: CVE-2025-21333 (Kernel's Role pt 2)](https://www.tlctc.net/hyperv-vsp-tlctc-client.html), [Apache 2.4.67 — 11 CVEs decomposed](https://www.tlctc.net/apache-2.4.67-tlctc-analysis.html), [CVE-2026-21510: Windows Shell SmartScreen bypass](https://www.tlctc.net/cve-2026-21510.html), [The Commit Is the CVE — silent fixes & the patch-gap collapse](https://www.tlctc.net/silent-fix-window.html)
