Final answer:
The authentication metric measures the authentication hurdles attackers need to overcome to exploit a vulnerability. It describes the authentication hurdles an attacker clears to exploit a vulnerability.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of computer security, the authentication metric measures the level of authentication hurdles an attacker would need to overcome in order to exploit or take advantage of a vulnerability. This metric is a component of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS), which is a standardized framework for rating the severity of security vulnerabilities in software.
An authentication hurdle could be anything from a simple password requirement to multi-factor authentication. The more hurdles there are, the more difficult it is for an attacker to exploit the vulnerability. For example, if a system requires a strong password and multi-factor authentication, it has a high authentication metric, making it more difficult for attackers to gain unauthorized access. Understanding the authentication metric helps security professionals develop robust authentication mechanisms to protect against potential attacks.