A "Gray Hat" hacker is someone who operates in a moral gray area between ethical hacking and malicious hacking. Unlike White Hat hackers, who work to improve security by finding and fixing vulnerabilities with permission, Gray Hats may exploit weaknesses without authorization but typically do so without harmful intent. They might inform the affected organization about the vulnerability, sometimes seeking a reward or recognition for their efforts.
While Gray Hats can help improve security, their actions can also lead to legal issues. Organizations may not appreciate unsolicited intrusion, even if the intent is to help. This makes the role of a Gray Hat complex and often controversial in the cybersecurity landscape.