CVE program's funding crisis: Implications and strategic response

Today, the cybersecurity community faced a critical juncture as the U.S. government's contract with MITRE Corporation to develop, operate and modernize the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) program, as well as related efforts like CWE, was set to expire.

MITRE warned of "multiple impacts to CVE, including deterioration of national vulnerability databases and advisories, tool vendors, incident response operations, and all manner of critical infrastructure."

This development threatened the continuity of a foundational element in global cybersecurity infrastructure. In a last-minute intervention, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) extended funding and awarded an 11-month bridge contract to ensure there would be no lapse in CVE services.

Understanding the CVE Program

The CVE program, established in 1999 and managed by MITRE, provides a standardized system for identifying and cataloging publicly known cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Each vulnerability is assigned a unique identifier (e.g., CVE-2025-12345), facilitating consistent communication among security professionals, vendors and organizations worldwide.

CVE records are categorized based on the type of vulnerability, affected software or hardware, and potential impact. These records typically include a brief description, references to public advisories or patches, and severity ratings, when available.

The lifecycle of a CVE follows a structured process:

1. Discovery – A researcher, vendor or organization identifies a potential security flaw.
2. Submission – The issue is reported to a CVE Numbering Authority (CNA), which validates and assigns a CVE ID.
3. Disclosure – After validation, the vulnerability is publicly disclosed either by the discoverer or the CNA, depending on coordination.
4. Publication – The CVE entry is published to the CVE List and made available to the community for integration into tools and databases.
5. Ongoing Maintenance – MITRE and CNAs monitor for corrections, updates and additional reference material to keep the records accurate and useful.

The CVE program serves as a backbone for security tools and frameworks such as the National Vulnerability Database (NVD), which augments CVE records with CVSS scores and metadata, and the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE), which categorizes the underlying flaw types.

By offering a centralized, transparent, and community-driven system, the CVE program supports timely vulnerability management and helps coordinate global response efforts.

Importance of the CVE program

The CVE program is foundational to global cybersecurity efforts for several reasons:

• Standardization: It offers a common language for describing vulnerabilities, enabling effective collaboration across different organizations and sectors.​
• Integration: Many security tools and processes rely on CVE identifiers to function correctly, including vulnerability scanners, patch management systems and threat intelligence platforms.
• Coordination: The program supports coordinated vulnerability disclosure, allowing vendors and researchers to manage and communicate about security issues efficiently.​

Without the CVE system, the cybersecurity community would face challenges in tracking, prioritizing and mitigating vulnerabilities, leading to increased risks and potential exploitation by threat actors.

Implications for the cybersecurity industry

The potential lapse in CVE program funding raised several concerns:​

• Operational disruption: A halt in CVE assignments could disrupt security vendors, security teams such as Incident responders and many others, as organizations would lack standardized identifiers for new vulnerabilities.​
• Increased risk: Delayed vulnerability identification and remediation efforts could expose systems to prolonged periods of risk.​
• Fragmentation: In the absence of a centralized system, disparate methods for tracking vulnerabilities might emerge, leading to inconsistencies and confusion.​

These challenges underscore the critical role of the CVE program in maintaining cybersecurity resilience across industries and national infrastructures.

Strategic response and recommendations

To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the CVE program, the following measures are recommended:

1. Diversify funding sources

Engage stakeholders from the private sector, international partners and non-profit organizations to contribute to the program's funding, reducing reliance on a single government entity.​

2. Establish independent governance

The formation of the CVE Foundation aims to provide a neutral, community-driven governance structure, enhancing the program's resilience and global trust.​

3. Enhance transparency

Regular communication about the program's status, funding and strategic direction can build confidence among users and contributors.​

4. Invest in automation

Leveraging automation and artificial intelligence can improve the efficiency of vulnerability identification and management processes.​

5. Strengthen international collaboration

Foster partnerships with international cybersecurity organizations to ensure a unified approach to vulnerability management and to share best practices.

European Union's proactive measures

In response to the evolving cybersecurity landscape, the European Union Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA) has launched the European Vulnerability Database (EUVD). This initiative embraces a multi-stakeholder approach by collecting publicly available vulnerability information from multiple sources, including Computer Security Incident Response Teams (CSIRTs), vendors and existing databases. The EUVD aims to enhance transparency and efficiency in vulnerability management across the EU.

Ensuring resilience and sustainability moving forward

The recent funding crisis of the CVE program highlights the fragility of essential cybersecurity infrastructures. While immediate disruptions have been averted, it is imperative for the global cybersecurity community to take proactive steps to ensure the resilience and sustainability of vulnerability management systems. Collaborative efforts, diversified funding and international cooperation will be key to safeguarding our digital ecosystems.

References:

• MITRE Signals Potential CVE Program Deterioration as US Gov Funding Expires
• CISA Extends Funding to Ensure No Lapse in Critical CVE Services
• Funding Expires for Key Cyber Vulnerability Database
• CVE Program Funding Expires—What It Means And What To Do Next
• Another Step Forward Towards Responsible Vulnerability Disclosure in Europe
• ENISA Vulnerability Disclosure