Vulnerability Disclosure: Strengthening Cybersecurity

A new bipartisan bill has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to boost federal cybersecurity. It makes sure federal contractors follow the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework.

The bill requires federal contractors to have strong¹ vulnerability disclosure policies. They must also have clear ways to accept, check, and handle vulnerability reports.

This move is crucial to prevent damage from potential¹ cyber attacks. It helps protect the nation’s¹ critical infrastructure and sensitive data.

The Vulnerability Disclosure Program (VDP) started in 2016 by the Secretary of Defense is a model for this effort¹. In January 2021, the DoD VDP was made bigger to cover all publicly accessible systems in the Department of Defense¹.

The VDP’s success depends on the skills and help of the security researcher community¹. It’s a team effort to make the Department of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) safer.

Key Takeaways

• Vulnerability disclosure programs are critical for strengthening federal cybersecurity
• Formal policies and processes for managing vulnerability reports are essential
• Collaboration with the security researcher community is key to the success of these programs
• Vulnerability disclosure aligns with national cybersecurity strategies and international standards
• Effective vulnerability disclosure programs can help mitigate the impact of cybersecurity attacks

The Importance of Vulnerability Disclosure Programs

Vulnerability disclosure programs (VDPs) are key to making organizations more secure. They offer a way for security experts and ethical hackers to report vulnerabilities responsibly. These programs let vendors fix bugs within 60 to 120 business days, sometimes longer if needed².

Encouraging Responsible Reporting

By sharing their policies, companies encourage honest researchers to report bugs early³. Ethical hackers often find bugs for free, wanting to help³. This teamwork helps fix bugs fast, making everyone safer.

Enhancing Security Posture Through Collaboration

VDPs bring together the security community’s skills to make organizations stronger⁴. In its first year, CISA’s VDP fixed over 1,000 bugs, with 15% critical⁴. Working with researchers, companies can find and fix bugs better, lowering cyber attack risks.

Having a strong VDP can save companies a lot of money by cutting down on security work⁴. Without a VDP, fixing an incident costs $1,900 per person. With one, it costs $288, saving $1,612 per incident⁴. For 100 incidents, that’s $161,200 saved⁴.

Vulnerability Disclosure: A Demonstrated Commitment to Security

A strong vulnerability disclosure policy (VDP) shows an organization’s commitment to cybersecurity. It boosts its reputation and builds trust with customers, partners, and stakeholders⁵.

Without a clear bug reporting process, security teams might not know about vulnerabilities found by others. This leaves them open to attacks⁵. By working with security experts, companies can protect themselves better from cyber threats. VDPs let them control how these vulnerabilities are shared⁶.

The policy promises to respond to vulnerability reports within three business days⁵. It also sets clear rules for testing methods⁵. This shows the organization’s commitment to being open and working together. It also promises to fix issues before sharing them publicly⁵. This makes customers and partners feel their security is a priority.

Most Common Vulnerabilities Disclosed	Impact of Zero-day Vulnerabilities
– SQL injections6 – Cross-site Scripting (XSS)6 – Improper Access Control6	Zero-day vulnerabilities, if not fixed, can be exploited widely. Customers may not even know they’re at risk6.

By showing a strong security commitment through a detailed VDP, organizations can improve their cybersecurity reputation. They also build more customer trust⁵⁶.

A well-thought-out VDP proves an organization’s effort to protect its systems and data. It strengthens its overall security commitment⁵⁶.

Ensuring Legal Compliance and Mitigating Risks

Vulnerability disclosure programs (VDPs) are key in making sure companies follow the law and reduce legal risks. Many laws, like the GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, require strict security and data protection⁷. By having a clear VDP, companies show they care about these laws and improve their security.

Aligning with Compliance Frameworks

A good VDP helps companies follow the rules set by laws. For example, the HHS has rules for security researchers to follow⁷. They must tell the department quickly about security problems and avoid causing harm or breaking privacy rules during their work⁷.

They also need to give the HHS time to fix the problem before sharing it publicly⁷.

Minimizing Legal Disputes

A VDP with clear rules and legal support for security researchers can reduce legal issues and encourage working together with the security community⁸. The DOJ wants researchers to tell them about security problems within 72 hours⁸. They should avoid causing harm or breaking privacy rules during their work⁸.

Following these rules means researchers won’t face legal trouble from the DOJ OCIO⁸.

VDPs help companies follow the law and protect themselves from legal risks and vulnerabilities⁹. Researchers get at least 90 days to fix a problem before sharing it publicly⁹. They can only test on systems they are supposed to, keep things confidential until a fix is ready, and should quickly respond to reports⁹.

Key Elements of an Effective Vulnerability Disclosure Policy

Creating a strong vulnerability disclosure policy (VDP) needs careful thought. It should be clear, efficient, and follow the rules. This makes an organization’s cybersecurity stronger¹⁰.

Scope and Background

The VDP must clearly state what systems and services it covers¹¹. It should also share why the organization cares about security and what the VDP aims to do¹⁰.

Reporting Channels and Guidelines

Good VDPs make it easy for security experts to report bugs¹¹. They should have a special place for bug reports and say what info is needed for a good report¹⁰.

Assessment, Remediation, and Disclosure

The VDP should explain how it checks and fixes bugs, works with the people who find them, and fixes things quickly¹¹. It should also say when it might share bug info publicly, balancing openness with keeping sensitive stuff secret¹⁰.

By focusing on these areas, companies can make a VDP that encourages careful bug reporting, fixes problems fast, and shows they care about cybersecurity¹⁰. A good VDP can lower risks and follow the law, making a company’s security better.¹⁰

“Vulnerabilities are found every day by many people, showing why we need clear ways to report them.”¹⁰

More and more groups and governments are helping with how to make VDPs¹⁰. By using these key points, companies can make a VDP that helps everyone work together, makes security better, and shows they handle bugs responsibly.

1. FRTIB systems that can be reached over the Internet are listed, showing domains and IP addresses¹¹.
2. It says which systems can be tested for bugs, but some services are left out¹¹.
3. Only testing allowed on the listed systems is okay¹¹.
4. The FRTIB works with security experts to fix bugs¹¹.
5. Allowed actions include finding bugs and telling FRTIB about them¹¹.
6. Testing should only show bugs exist, not use them for harm¹¹.
7. No sharing FRTIB info without permission¹¹.
8. Testing can’t put FRTIB staff or Thrift Saving Plan members at risk¹¹.
9. Security researchers must follow all laws when they work on bug finding¹¹.
10. Testing on FRTIB systems not allowed includes denial of service, testing physical security, social engineering, and finding personal info¹¹.
11. Reporting bugs is done through the Bug Crowd Reporting Platform¹¹.
12. What’s needed in a bug report includes a description, steps to reproduce it, tech details, related stuff, and contact info¹¹.
13. FRTIB promises to quickly respond to bug reports, work with finders, and be open during fixing¹¹.

Having a detailed vulnerability disclosure policy is key to better cybersecurity¹⁰. By focusing on these key points, companies can make a VDP that encourages teamwork, improves security, and shows they handle bugs responsibly.

Metric	Value
Vulnerabilities Reported	835 across 105 websites12
Ethical Hackers Reporting	93, earning $450,00012
DoD Vulnerabilities	10% of all reports12
Apps with Flaws	At least 70% after 5 years12

Hosting Vulnerability Disclosure Programs

Organizations have two main choices when hosting a vulnerability disclosure program (VDP): on-site or bug bounty platforms. Each choice has its own benefits and things to consider¹³.

On-Site vs. Bug Bounty Platforms

Hosting a VDP on your own site gives you more control and lets you tailor the program. But, it needs dedicated people to handle the reports, sort them out, and fix the issues¹³.

Using a bug bounty platform like Intigriti connects you with a skilled security researcher community. These platforms make reporting and managing vulnerabilities easier, helping your team¹³.

The Value of Bug Bounty Platforms

Bug bounty platforms add great value for organizations wanting to boost their security. They offer a structured way for researchers to share vulnerabilities, with clear rules and steps to follow¹³. They also provide tools to help manage these reports well¹⁴.

Organizations using bug bounty platforms see a 30% jump in reported vulnerabilities compared to not using them¹³. This is thanks to easy access and a community of motivated security researchers¹³.

Hosting Approach	Advantages	Considerations
On-Site Hosting	Greater control over program policies Customized processes and workflows	Requires dedicated resources for management May not have access to a large security researcher community
Bug Bounty Platforms	Access to a skilled security researcher community Streamlined vulnerability reporting and management Increased vulnerability discovery (30% more)	May have less control over program policies and processes Potential for increased costs associated with bug bounty rewards

The choice between on-site hosting and a bug bounty platform depends on what the organization needs, has, and wants for security. By looking at these factors, organizations can pick the best option for their vulnerability management¹³.

Vulnerability Disclosure and the Defense Industrial Base

The Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) has teamed up with the Department of Defense (DoD) on a pilot program. This program aims to improve the security of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The DIB is key to protecting our national security and defense capabilities¹⁵.

The DIB-VDP was set up by the Department of Defense Cyber Crime Center (DC3) and DCSA. It helps DIB companies improve their vulnerability disclosure capabilities¹⁵. In 2022, a 12-month pilot program was launched.

It used the HackerOne community to boost cybersecurity in the DIB¹⁵. DCSA oversees around 12,500 cleared companies that can join the DIB-VDP¹⁵.

The DIB-VDP helps fix vulnerabilities on DIB company systems quickly. This leads to faster fixes than traditional methods¹⁵. DC3 and DCSA are working together to improve policies and services. They aim to enhance public-private collaboration and fight cyber threats in the Defense Industrial Base¹⁵.

The Department of Defense’s Cyber Crime Center’s Vulnerability Disclosure Program has grown a lot in the past two years¹⁶. It won a Cyber and IT Excellence Teams Award for its work in the 2022 Defense Industrial Base-VDP Pilot¹⁶. The pilot’s success brought challenges as more companies wanted to join, needing more staff¹⁶.

A team from George Mason University, led by Brian Ngac, looked into the pilot’s success. They found ways to make the program work better for the Defense Industrial Base¹⁶.

Their ideas helped increase the number of companies from 50 to 1,000. They also cut labor hours by 50 to 89 percent and reduced the time to onboard companies from eight hours to one, all while keeping the budget the same¹⁶.

The team suggested using cybersecurity triad and FedRAMP-approved products to make the program better¹⁶. They also used artificial intelligence to automate tasks. This included creating a cloud-based portal with chat-bot help to make onboarding easier for companies¹⁶.

The National Security Innovation Network’s Capstone program lets federal agencies compete for talent or technology services¹⁶. It aims to create agile resources to fight future threats through partnerships with defense, academia, and venture communities¹⁶. Programs like the Vulnerability Disclosure Program show the value of working together between federal agencies and universities¹⁶.

Initiatives and Legislation to Promote Vulnerability Disclosure

In the world of cybersecurity policy, new laws and efforts are pushing for better vulnerability disclosure. This aims to make our critical infrastructure and federal contractor cybersecurity stronger. The Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of, a bill from the U.S. Senate, is tackling this big issue¹⁷.

Senators Mark Warner and James Lankford introduced this bill. It wants to make vulnerability disclosure policies (VDPs) a must for federal contractors. This follows the guidelines of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)¹⁷. Right now, only civilian agencies have VDPs, leaving a big gap in our cybersecurity¹⁷.

This bill would make federal contractors take, check, and handle vulnerability reports they get. This is a step towards better security that keeps our data safe from bad actors¹⁷. It also calls for updates to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to match federal agency standards¹⁷.

Alongside these laws, the Center for Cybersecurity Policy and Law has started two new projects. The Hacking Policy Council, with groups like Bugcrowd and Google, wants to make it easier to share vulnerabilities and do security research¹⁸. The Security Research Legal Defense Fund, a nonprofit, will help those facing legal trouble for their security work¹⁸.

These efforts show how important vulnerability disclosure is for better cybersecurity policy and protecting critical infrastructure. They create a place where people can work together and fix legal issues. This helps security experts find and fix problems faster, making our security stronger¹⁹.

Initiative	Key Focus	Founding Members
Hacking Policy Council	Promote favorable legal environment for vulnerability disclosure, bug bounties, security research, and penetration testing	Bugcrowd, Google, HackerOne, Intel, Intigriti, LutaSecurity
Security Research Legal Defense Fund	Provide legal representation for individuals facing legal issues from good-faith security research and vulnerability disclosure	University of California at Berkeley, Filecoin Foundation, Future of Privacy Forum

“Transparency around vulnerability exploitation can lead to better user protection and understanding of attacker behavior.”

Conclusion

Vulnerability disclosure programs are key to a strong cybersecurity plan. They help organizations set clear rules for handling security issues. This makes them more secure, shows they care about security, and follows the law²⁰.

Working with the global security community through these programs helps find and fix problems before bad guys can use them. This makes systems and networks safer and more resilient²¹.

As threats grow, using good vulnerability disclosure methods is more important than ever. By being open and working together, companies can use security researchers’ knowledge. This lets them fix problems early and stay ahead of cyber threats²².

Following security best practices and having strong risk mitigation plans through VDPs protects important assets. It also keeps customers and stakeholders trusting them.

Looking ahead, vulnerability disclosure programs will keep getting better and more common. By working together, companies, researchers, and lawmakers can make better vulnerability disclosure systems. This will make our digital world safer and more resilient for everyone.

FAQ

What is a Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (VDP)?

A Vulnerability Disclosure Policy (VDP) outlines how companies handle reports of bugs in their software or systems. It encourages security experts to share bugs without fear. This helps fix issues before bad guys can use them.

How do VDPs benefit organizations?

VDPs make companies stronger by using the security community’s skills to find and fix bugs. They show they care about cybersecurity, which builds trust with customers and partners. This also helps their reputation.

How do VDPs help organizations align with compliance frameworks?

VDPs help companies follow strict security rules like GDPR and HIPAA. They also protect against legal issues by being clear about how to report bugs and what legal protection reporters get.

What are the key elements of an effective VDP?

A good VDP needs to cover several things. This includes what kind of bugs it covers, how to report them, how bugs are checked and fixed, and when to share the info publicly.

Where should organizations host their VDP?

Companies can put their VDP on their own site or on a bug bounty platform like Intigriti. On a bug bounty site, they get help from skilled researchers and get reports in an organized way. This makes handling bugs easier.

How are vulnerability disclosure programs being extended to the Defense Industrial Base?

The DCSA and DoD are working on a pilot to bring the DoD’s VDP to the Defense Industrial Base. They’re using what they’ve learned to make this important sector safer.

What is the Federal Contractor Cybersecurity Vulnerability Reduction Act of 2024?

This bill aims to make federal cybersecurity better. It requires contractors to have VDPs and to take steps to handle bug reports. It’s a way to make things more secure.