The Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) list [1] [2] [3], established by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in 2021 [2] [3], is a crucial resource for government agencies and enterprises to prioritize remediation efforts against high-risk threats.
Description
The KEV list requires that vulnerabilities added must have an assigned CVE, be known to have been exploited [2] [3], and have a remediation available [2] [3], with ransomware vulnerabilities receiving top priority [2] [3]. A recent report from Bitsight found that organizations encountered KEVs in 2023 [2], with critical KEVs being remediated 2.6 times faster than non-KEVs [2] [3]. Ransomware KEVs are fixed 2.5 times faster on average [2] [3]. Federal agencies [2] [3], especially civilian agencies under CISA oversight [1], are more likely to meet deadlines [1], with technology companies showing the most prompt response [1]. To improve remediation times [2] [3], organizations should implement effective vulnerability management systems and ensure accountability for slow progress [3].
Conclusion
The KEV list plays a vital role in understanding the threat landscape and should be discussed at the board level to address cyber and business risks [3]. Organizations can enhance their cybersecurity posture by prioritizing remediation of KEVs, implementing robust vulnerability management systems, and holding themselves accountable for timely progress. By taking proactive measures, entities can better protect themselves against cyber threats and mitigate potential damages.
References
[1] https://www.altusintel.com/public-yyc59q/?tt=1714977183
[2] https://ciso2ciso.com/does-cisas-kev-catalog-speed-up-remediation-source-www-darkreading-com/
[3] https://www.darkreading.com/vulnerabilities-threats/cisa-kev-catalog-speed-up-remediation
