Understanding CVSS vs CVE – What’s the Difference? 07/04/2023 – Posted in: Information Security – Tags: , , , , ,

Time needed to read: 4-5 minutes

CVSS and CVE are two terms that are commonly used in the cybersecurity industry. While both terms are related to vulnerabilities, they have different meanings and purposes. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between CVSS and CVE and why they are essential for managing vulnerabilities.

CVE, or Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures, is a system that is used to identify, define, and track publicly disclosed vulnerabilities in software and firmware. The CVE system assigns a unique identifier to each vulnerability, making it easier to manage and prioritize patching efforts. The CVE system is maintained by the MITRE Corporation and is widely used in the cybersecurity industry.

CVSS, or Common Vulnerability Scoring System, is a framework that is used to assess the severity of vulnerabilities. The CVSS framework provides a score between 0 and 10, with higher scores indicating more severe vulnerabilities. The score is based on a set of metrics, including the vulnerability’s exploitability and impact on the system.

While CVE and CVSS are related, they serve different purposes. CVE is used to identify and track vulnerabilities, while CVSS is used to assess their severity. CVE provides a standard way of identifying vulnerabilities, while CVSS provides a standard way of assessing their severity.

The CVSS framework includes three versions: CVSSv2, CVSSv3.0, and CVSSv3.1. Each version includes different metrics and scoring mechanisms, with newer versions generally providing more accuracy and granularity. The CVSS framework is widely used in the cybersecurity industry, and many organizations use it to prioritize and manage vulnerabilities.

When a vulnerability is assigned a CVE identifier, it is also assigned a CVSS score. The CVSS score provides a standard way of assessing the severity of the vulnerability, making it easier for organizations to prioritize patching efforts. Organizations can use the CVSS score to determine which vulnerabilities pose the most significant risk and require immediate attention.

In conclusion, CVE and CVSS are both essential tools for managing vulnerabilities. While CVE is used to identify and track vulnerabilities, CVSS is used to assess their severity. The CVE system assigns a unique identifier to each vulnerability, making it easier to manage and prioritize patching efforts. The CVSS framework provides a score between 0 and 10, with higher scores indicating more severe vulnerabilities. Both CVE and CVSS are widely used in the cybersecurity industry and are essential for managing vulnerabilities.

Reference link: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln-metrics/cvss