National Vulnerability Database Is Way Out Of Date

The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is a central repository for cybersecurity vulnerability information, widely recognized as the most utilized software vulnerability database in the world. It is a critical resource for scanners, analysts, and vendors, providing essential information on affected software. 

Established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the NVD was designed to be timely and informative, though not a comprehensive solution, as noted by Brian Fox on DarkReading.

It has recently come to light that the NIST hasn’t enriched the NVD list of vulnerabilities since mid-February. Anyone relying on its reports has potentially been at risk for months.

Factors built into the system since its inception have eroded its ability to classify security concerns, says Fox. Those factors have grown over 25 years and are now affecting the NVD’s ability to prioritize vulnerabilities.

Among those factors are credit-seeking contributors who have replaced the seasoned researchers who originally looked for vulnerabilities, and saw the listing of a CVE (common vulnerabilities and exposure) as reward enough.

However, as software security gained importance, researchers with little experience tried using the placement of a recognized CVE on the NVD as an entry into the industry. As inexperienced researchers poured vulnerabilities into the system, the quality of reports declined. Cox also cites a wave of researchers globally who sought recognition with low-quality reports.

Cox suggests looking at the situation as an opportunity to rethink the structure of all such systems. Ensuring integrity and efficacy in collective security efforts means the cybersecurity community should reassess its reliance on the National Vulnerability Database, and adapt its processes to meet the evolving dynamics of vulnerability management.