CVE program funding restored after deal renewal with Mitre is secured
In a relief to the cybersecurity community, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has secured an 11-month extension for funding the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program[1][2][3]. The CVE program, managed by MITRE and funded by CISA, was on the brink of losing its funding due to political gridlock.
The sudden urgency to renew funding arose from the threat of a program shutdown, which would have halted new vulnerability tracking. This would have significantly hindered the ability of security teams to respond to emerging threats, potentially exposing critical systems like hospitals and power grids to undetected vulnerabilities[2][3].
The CVE program plays a crucial role in cybersecurity by serving as a centralized system for tracking and identifying software vulnerabilities. It enables security teams to prioritize and communicate risks effectively[1][2]. The government-funded CVE program is a critical part of how the cybersecurity community keeps track of software flaws.
The potential stoppage of the CVE program raised concerns about a cybersecurity meltdown. The industry feared that without this program, vulnerabilities might go undetected, leading to delayed patching and giving attackers an advantage[2]. Notably, delays in vulnerability disclosures could offer a greater window of time to attackers to engage in exploitation.
The software industry expressed concern on Tuesday about the potential impact of the CVE program’s funding expiration. Information security experts warned that a lapse in funding could have resulted in massive delays in vulnerability disclosures, disrupting the coordinated disclosure timelines[2].
Tim Peck, senior threat researcher at Securonix, stated his concerns about the potential impact of a funding lapse on the CVE program. He emphasized that the CVE program is used by the information security community to address security flaws, and a lapse could have led to significant delays in addressing a massive backlog of unanalyzed and unremediated vulnerabilities[2].
In response to these concerns, CISA executed the option period on the contract to ensure there will be no lapse in critical CVE services. MITRE remains committed to the CVE program as a global resource. The government continues to make considerable efforts to support MITRE's role in the CVE program.
The Common Weakness Enumeration Program, a related program to the CVE program, is also managed by MITRE. The funding extension for the CVE program will provide the necessary resources to maintain and improve both programs.
In conclusion, the 11-month extension of funding for the CVE program is a significant step towards maintaining the security of critical infrastructure. The renewed funding ensures that vulnerabilities will continue to be tracked, prioritized, and addressed in a timely manner, protecting the cyber community from potential threats.
The 11-month funding extension for the CVE program, a critical part of the cybersecurity community, alleviates concerns about a potential cybersecurity meltdown due to undetected software vulnerabilities. This extension ensures that the CVE program, which plays a crucial role in tracking and identifying vulnerabilities, can continue to operate effectively within the realm of technology.
