I've recently acquired a new SIEM tool that came bundled with a vulnerability scanner as part of our cyber insurance requirements. The agent is deployed across all machines, and I'm currently setting it up to scan non-agent assets like switches and printers. However, I've hit a wall. The scanner is flagging an overwhelming number of vulnerabilities on our Windows, Mac, and Linux machines—thousands, to be exact! Despite our consistent patching practices, I was shocked to find major vulnerabilities such as Log4J and many CVE 10s. I honestly didn't expect the numbers to be this high. I'm unsure how to approach fixing these issues: Should I prioritize by recency, CVE score, or something else? Any guidance would be appreciated before I dissolve into a puddle of tears!
6 Answers
Start by addressing remote vulnerabilities before local ones. It's often more efficient to manage external risks first. When you tackle the ones with the highest CVSS scores, you make significant progress quickly. And don’t forget, the scanner's outputs are there to guide you but not all are critical. For example, vulnerabilities from 1988 could just be misconfigurations on older devices and might not be a real threat.
It might also help to categorize your assets by their importance to your business operations. This way, prioritization becomes easier. Tools like pivot tables can also assist in identifying the vulnerabilities most prevalent in your environment. Don't hesitate to take stock of low-hanging fruit before you dive into bigger issues!
Take it one step at a time. Focus on quick wins—fix the issues that need simple updates or can be resolved by deleting old files. For bigger risks, like critical vulnerabilities, you may need to involve business stakeholders to plan for downtime. This process is ongoing; think of it as a journey, not a race! You’ll continually find ways to improve your systems and policies along the way.
It's crucial to prioritize your vulnerabilities. Start with the ones marked as critical or that have been actively exploited. Many scanners will rate vulnerabilities based not just on their CVSS score but also on recent active attacks, so keep an eye on those ratings. This way, you're tackling the most pressing issues first. You've got this!
Deep breath! You'll never completely eliminate all vulnerabilities. Prioritize those marked critical or already exploited and handle them first. Sometimes it's as simple as updating software. You'll find that regular updates to common applications can significantly reduce your vulnerability count. Keep chipping away and remember, this is a continual process, not a one-time fix!
Remember that a lot of scanners don't check the actual patch level; they only pull vulnerabilities for the OS version detected. Run a sanity check on what you see reported to avoid unnecessary panic. If the scanner is only picking up version numbers, the actual risks might not be as bad as they seem. Don't forget to breathe and take it step by step!
Exactly! It's easy to feel overwhelmed with the numbers, but verifying the scanner's findings can ease your worries.
Definitely focus on what's prevalent, as some vulnerabilities are more likely to be exploited than others.