CVEdetails.com the ultimate security vulnerability data source
(e.g.: CVE-2009-1234 or 2010-1234 or 20101234)
Log In   Register
  Take a third party risk management course for FREE
Vulnerability Feeds & WidgetsNew   

CVE Terminology and FAQ

What is CVE?

CVE is a list of information security vulnerabilities and exposures that aims to provide common names for publicly known problems. The goal of CVE is to make it easier to share data across separate vulnerability capabilities (tools, repositories, and services) with this "common enumeration." Please visit http://cve.mitre.org/about/faqs.html for more information

What is a "Vulnerability?"

An information security "vulnerability" is a mistake in software that can be directly used by a hacker to gain access to a system or network.

What is an "Exposure?"

An information security exposure is a mistake in software that allows access to information or capabilities that can be used by a hacker as a stepping-stone into a system or network.

What is a CVE Identifier?

CVE Identifiers (also called "CVE names," "CVE numbers," "CVE-IDs," and "CVEs") are unique, common identifiers for publicly known information security vulnerabilities. Each CVE Identifier includes the following:
- CVE identifier number (i.e., "CVE-1999-0067").
- Indication of "entry" or "candidate" status.
- Brief description of the security vulnerability or exposure.
- Any pertinent references (i.e., vulnerability reports and advisories or OVAL-ID).
- CVE Identifiers are used by information security product/service vendors and researchers as a standard method for identifying vulnerabilities and for cross-linking with other repositories that also use CVE Identifiers.

Who owns CVE?

The MITRE Corporation maintains CVE and this public Web site, manages the compatibility program, and provides impartial technical guidance to the CVE Editorial Board throughout the process to ensure CVE serves the public interest. Please visit cve.mitre.org for more information

CVE is a registred trademark of the MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CVE content is MITRE's CVE web site. CWE is a registred trademark of the MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of CWE content is MITRE's CWE web site. OVAL is a registered trademark of The MITRE Corporation and the authoritative source of OVAL content is MITRE's OVAL web site.
Use of this information constitutes acceptance for use in an AS IS condition. There are NO warranties, implied or otherwise, with regard to this information or its use. Any use of this information is at the user's risk. It is the responsibility of user to evaluate the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information, opinion, advice or other content. EACH USER WILL BE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY consequences of his or her direct or indirect use of this web site. ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. This site will NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT or any other kind of loss.