Which metric indicates the potential alteration of information if a vulnerability is successfully exploited?

The appropriate metric that indicates the potential alteration of information if a vulnerability is successfully exploited is integrity. Integrity refers to the accuracy and trustworthiness of data. When a vulnerability exists and is exploited, it can lead to unauthorized modifications of data, potentially compromising its integrity. This aspect is crucial in cybersecurity, as maintaining data integrity ensures that information remains correct, authentic, and reliable. When assessing vulnerabilities and their impact, the integrity metric provides direct insight into how an exploit could change or manipulate information, highlighting the significance of safeguarding against such threats.

In contrast, while impact concerns the overall consequences of a successful exploit, integrity specifically addresses the nature of data alteration. Likelihood pertains to the probability of a vulnerability being exploited, and exploitability relates to how easily a vulnerability can be attacked. These metrics are important, but they do not directly measure the potential alteration of information like integrity does.