What is CVE in cyber security? Everything you need to know.

Cybercrime is becoming a real problem for businesses across the world.

Vulnerabilities in software make it easy for attackers to take advantage of your systems, steal data, and even cause damage to servers.

To build secure applications and protect against cyber attacks, you must be familiar with the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, or CVEs.

In this guide, I will explain CVE in simple words and how it can help you to build secure apps.

What is CVE in simple words?

CVE, or Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, is an online dictionary of publicly known security vulnerabilities and exposures.

It provides a platform for researchers to share their findings on cybersecurity threats.

You can recognize it by a unique identifier which allows quick reference to a vulnerability within the system. These identifiers contain information such as the vulnerability type, affected technology, and impact of the vulnerability.

Organizations such as MITRE Corporation and CERT Coordination Center manage the CVE list to ensure all relevant information is available for security professionals.

Using this data, developers or security experts can discover weaknesses in software systems before malicious actors exploit them.

It can help prevent large-scale attacks and damages.

Below are some examples of CVEs:

• CVE-2022-21948: An Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting').
• CVE-2022-42291: NVIDIA GeForce Experience contains a vulnerability in the installer.
• CVE-2023-22643: An Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command.

Steps involved in CVE assignment

If you want to give vulnerability a global public identity in the CVE database, then here are the six steps which you need to perform:

#1 Identify the Vulnerability

The first step is discovering a vulnerability in a system or application that an attacker can exploit.

It includes examining source code, components, and configurations to find weaknesses.

#2 Report

It is the process of submitting vulnerability information to the CVE database. It includes identifying, describing, and documenting vulnerabilities of newly discovered software or hardware components.

The reporting process helps ensure that all stakeholders are aware of new vulnerabilities and can take steps to mitigate them.

#3 Request CVE ID

To request a CVE identifier, go to the website cve.mitre.org and click on "Request CVE IDs" This will take you to the form where you can enter information about the vulnerability.

#4 Reserve

After submitting the information, you will need to reserve the identifier.

It reserves the number for your specific vulnerability and ensures that other organizations do not attempt to use it before you have had a chance to fix or report it.

#5 Submit

Once you have reserved the identifier, you can submit information like manufactured products, fixed product version, exposure type, root cause, and at least one public reference about the vulnerability.

It will allow other organizations to identify and fix security breaches as well.

#6 Publish Details

Once the CVE ID is assigned, details about the vulnerability should be published so that other organizations and individuals can become aware of it and act accordingly.

It includes publishing information about the risk posed by exploiting this vulnerability and any solutions or mitigations available for addressing it.

It's important to keep track of activity related to this vulnerability over time so you can monitor its progress and address any new issues that may arise from it.

It may involve tracking reports of attacks, patching efforts, and other related activities across different organizations or systems worldwide.

CVE database

It is a repository of known cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

The CVE database provides an open-source platform to recognize, track, and share information on software vulnerabilities.

It enables software developers, security professionals, and users to pinpoint and mitigate cyber security threats in their systems.

There are a few databases and vulnerabilities that you can use to track the CVE:

• NVD (National Vulnerability Database)
• CERT (Computer Emergency Response Team)

NVD database:

The National Vulnerability Database (NVD) is a comprehensive database of information security vulnerabilities and exposures maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

It provides access to publicly known cybersecurity threats and exposures and associated technical details, metrics, remediation information, and other valuable resources.

The NVD is updated daily with new vulnerability entries from around the world.

CERT/CC:

CERT is an organization that provides response services and support for computer security incidents, vulnerabilities, and threats.

It identifies and responds to potential cyber-attacks or malicious activities to help protect networks, systems, and data from damage or unauthorized access.

It also works with other organizations to develop best practices and provide guidance on preventing future attacks.

Here you can find the vulnerability notes database by CERT/CC.

What is a CVE score?

A CVE Score is a numerical score assigned to a vulnerability, ranging from 0.0-10.0, that reflects the severity of the vulnerability based on its potential impact.

The score depends on several factors, including the complexity of exploitation, confidentiality, and integrity impact.

Examples:

• 0.0 (None)
• 0.1-3.9 (Low)
• 4.0-6.9 (Medium)
• 7.0-8.9 (High)
• 9.0-10.0 (Critical)

Identify CVEs automatically with Codiga

You can perform code analysis through several sets of rules inside Codiga.

Currently, it supports Python, JavaScript, and TypeScript.

You can go through the rulesets to look for the specific CVE ID.

For example, inside python-security, there is the presence of CVE-757 which you can look at using the search feature.

If you link this ruleset inside your codebase, it will automatically detect the CVE-757 issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, CVE is an important part of cyber security.

It can help organizations, developers, and security researchers identify and mitigate potential application threats.

It is a valuable resource for organizations to track vulnerabilities in their systems and take steps to reduce the risk of being hacked or affected by attackers.

By utilizing CVE, you can stay informed about any new vulnerabilities that may be present in your applications.

You can also visit our recent guide about the difference between CVE and CWE.

FAQs

What is a CVE Number?

A CVE number is a unique identifier assigned to a particular vulnerability or exposure.

It is a reference point to discuss, find and address security threats.

Simply put, It is a special code given to potential risk.

Does a CVSS score of 9.1 represent a critical vulnerability or a low-priority finding?

A CVSS score of 9.1 represents a critical vulnerability.

Do all vulnerabilities have a CVE?

No, not all vulnerabilities have a CVE.

It is a standardized system to identify and catalog publicly known security issues. A vulnerability must meet certain criteria to be assigned a CVE.