Vulnerability Disclosure Report (VDR)

Communicate known and unknown vulnerabilities affecting components and services.

Introduction to VDR

CycloneDX enables precise and systematic reporting of vulnerabilities affecting both third-party and first-party components within a system. By documenting detailed information—such as vulnerability sources, severity levels, affected components, and recommended mitigations—CycloneDX facilitates effective and comprehensive communication of vulnerability intelligence. It also provides the ability to represent the known completeness of vulnerability intelligence, helping stakeholders evaluate the scope of coverage and identify potential gaps.

VDRs, also known as Vulnerability Advisory Reports (VAR), are ideal for facilitating vulnerability disclosure across different parties, such as in bug bounty programs or coordinated disclosure efforts with external researchers. Internally, they can streamline vulnerability management by optimizing remediation efforts and enabling clear communication between security, development, and operations teams. This capability, aligned with international standards like ISO/IEC 29147:2018, enhances risk management by promoting transparency, improving collaboration, and enabling efficient resolution of vulnerabilities within complex software systems.

Highlights

  • Communicates known and unknown vulnerabilities for both first-party and third-party components.
  • Represents the known completeness of vulnerability intelligence.
  • Facilitates external disclosures (e.g., bug bounty programs) and internal remediation efforts.
  • Aligns with international standards such as ISO/IEC 29147.

Expected Outcomes

  • Enhanced collaboration with external researchers and stakeholders.
  • Faster and more targeted vulnerability remediation.
  • Increased transparency in vulnerability management processes.
  • Reduced risk from incomplete or inaccurate vulnerability disclosures.