CISA Vulnerabilities Catalog Sees Minor Decline in Flaws

CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog Hits 185 Actively Abused Security Issues in 2023

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reported a significant update to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, revealing that the number of actively abused security issues has reached 185 in 2023. This marks a slight decrease from the 187 reported in 2022. Since the inception of the catalog over two years ago, CISA has added a staggering total of 1,238 vulnerabilities, highlighting the ongoing challenges organizations face in cybersecurity.

Breakdown of Newly Added Vulnerabilities

An analysis of the KEV catalog indicates that newly emergent vulnerabilities accounted for the majority of flaws added this year. Notably, between 60 to 70 of these entries were actually years-old bugs. The oldest vulnerability included is the Internet Explorer use-after-free issue, identified as CVE-2012-4792. This underscores the importance of addressing not only new threats but also long-standing vulnerabilities that continue to pose risks.

Most Common Vulnerability Types

CISA’s findings reveal a trend in the types of security flaws being exploited:

• OS Command Injection: This vulnerability type allows unauthorized control over systems and was the most prevalent in 2023.
• Deserialization of Untrusted Data: Another significant risk, leading to potential attacks on applications.
• Use-After-Free: This memory management vulnerability remains a major concern.
• Path Traversal: This flaw can enable attackers to access unauthorized directories.
• Improper Authentication: A critical issue that can allow unauthorized access to sensitive information.

Leading Companies Affected by Vulnerabilities

The data also highlights which companies have the highest number of newly added flaws in the KEV catalog this year. Microsoft tops the list, followed by:

1. Ivanti
2. Google Chrome
3. Adobe
4. Apple

This information is crucial for organizations using these platforms to prioritize their cybersecurity measures and patch known vulnerabilities.

Conclusion: The Ongoing Battle Against Cyber Threats

As cyber threats evolve, it is essential for organizations to stay informed about the vulnerabilities that pose risks to their systems. CISA’s KEV catalog serves as a vital resource, offering insights into the most pressing security issues currently affecting the digital landscape.

For more information on cybersecurity best practices and updates on vulnerabilities, visit CISA’s official website.

We invite you to share your thoughts on this year’s findings or read related articles on cybersecurity advancements. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate the complexities of digital security together.