A Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) is a reference method for publicly known information-security vulnerabilities and exposures. It provides a list of publicly disclosed computer security flaws, each uniquely identified by a CVE number. The CVE system allows for the exchange of information about cybersecurity issues among vendors, enterprises, academics, and other interested parties, providing a reliable way to identify and prioritize vulnerabilities in vulnerability management programs.
Key points about CVE in cybersecurity include:
- It is a database of publicly disclosed information security issues, providing a convenient and reliable way for various parties to exchange information about cybersecurity issues.
- CVE numbers uniquely identify vulnerabilities from the list, allowing for coordination of efforts to prioritize and address these vulnerabilities to make computer systems more secure.
- Before the establishment of CVE in 1999, it was challenging to share data on vulnerabilities across different databases and tools. The CVE system ensures that every tool can exchange data with other tools and provides a mechanism for comparing different tools, such as vulnerability scanners.
- CVE entries are brief and do not include technical data or information about risks, impacts, and fixes. These details appear in other databases, including the U.S. National Vulnerability Database (NVD), the CERT/CC Vulnerability Notes Database, and various lists maintained by vendors and other organizations.
- The CVE program is overseen by the MITRE Corporation with funding from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
In summary, a CVE in cybersecurity is a standardized method for identifying and sharing information about publicly known information-security vulnerabilities and exposures, allowing for coordinated efforts to address these vulnerabilities and make computer systems more secure.
