Malicious Payload

Definitions

1. The harmful code or content delivered by an exploit, document, script, or malware stage to perform the attacker's intended action. A malicious payload may install persistence, steal data, open a backdoor, encrypt files, or carry out another mission after delivery succeeds.

   In plain English: The harmful code or content that actually performs the attack after delivery.

   Example: "The initial downloader was small, but the malicious payload it fetched handled credential theft and persistence."

Related Terms

• Encoded Payload
• Exploit Kit
• Attack Vector
• Base64 Encoding Attack
• Bypass
• Custom Exploit
• Custom Payload
• Custom Shellcode
• Key Logger
• Local Exploit
• Macro Security
• Remote Execution