Introduction

In the world of cybersecurity, CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) plays a crucial role in identifying and cataloging security threats. It is a publicly available database that helps organizations, security researchers, and IT professionals stay aware of known vulnerabilities in software and hardware systems.

This blog will cover:

  • What is CVE?
  • Why is CVE given?
  • How can you get a CVE?
  • Why do you need CVE for a job?
  • The first CVE ever recorded and its type
  • How many CVEs have been registered in the last 10 years?

Let’s dive in! 🚀

What is CVE?

CVE stands for Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures. It is a unique identifier assigned to publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Each CVE entry provides:

  • A CVE ID (e.g., CVE-2025-1234)
  • A brief description of the vulnerability
  • References to sources that provide more details (e.g., vendor advisories, security research papers)

CVE IDs help security experts track and manage vulnerabilities efficiently.

Why is CVE Given?

CVE is given to standardize the identification of vulnerabilities. Without a common reference system, different organizations might refer to the same security flaw using different names, making it harder to address threats effectively.

CVE is assigned when:

  • A software or hardware vulnerability is publicly disclosed.
  • The issue has a significant security impact.
  • It meets the criteria set by the CVE Numbering Authority (CNA).

It helps organizations prioritize patching and security updates based on the severity of the threat.

How Can You Get a CVE?

To get a CVE assigned, follow these steps:

  1. Discover a Vulnerability
    • Identify a security flaw in software, hardware, or a web application.
  2. Report It to a CNA (CVE Numbering Authority)
    • Contact an authorized CNA responsible for managing CVE assignments (e.g., Microsoft, Google, Red Hat, MITRE Corporation).
  3. Verification Process
    • The CNA verifies whether the vulnerability is valid and unique.
  4. CVE ID Assignment
    • If approved, the CNA assigns a CVE ID and publishes it in the CVE database.
  5. Public Disclosure
    • Researchers can publicly share details of the vulnerability to help companies fix it.

Many security researchers and ethical hackers submit CVEs as part of bug bounty programs or vulnerability disclosure policies.

Why Do You Need CVE in a Job?

Having experience with CVEs can boost your cybersecurity career in the following ways:

  • Demonstrates Expertise – Submitting a CVE shows hands-on experience in vulnerability research.
  • Recognition in the Security Community – Companies recognize professionals who discover and report security flaws.
  • Career Opportunities – Many cybersecurity jobs (e.g., Penetration Tester, Security Analyst, Threat Researcher) prefer candidates with CVE submissions.
  • Bug Bounty and Rewards – Some companies reward researchers who report vulnerabilities through bounty programs.

If you want to stand out in cybersecurity, finding and reporting vulnerabilities with CVEs is a great way to gain credibility.

The First CVE Name and Its Type

The first officially recorded CVE was CVE-1999-0001. It was a buffer overflow vulnerability found in the NFS (Network File System) of UNIX operating systems. Attackers could exploit this flaw to execute arbitrary code and gain unauthorized access to a system.

Since then, thousands of CVEs have been recorded, covering a wide range of security flaws in operating systems, applications, cloud services, and IoT devices.

How Many CVEs Have Been Registered in the Last 10 Years?

Over the last decade, the number of registered CVEs has significantly increased. Based on public databases like the NVD (National Vulnerability Database), here is a rough estimate:

YearNumber of CVEs Registered
20156,488
20166,447
201714,714
201816,511
201917,305
202018,362
202120,157
202225,091
202327,448
202429,005 (approximate)

Total CVEs in the last 10 years: Over 180,000+

This data shows that cyber threats are increasing each year, and staying updated with CVEs is essential for protecting systems from attacks.

Conclusion

CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is an essential system for tracking and mitigating cybersecurity threats. Whether you are a security researcher, IT administrator, or ethical hacker, understanding CVEs can help you protect networks and software from potential attacks.

If you want to contribute to cybersecurity, start by learning how to find vulnerabilities, report them to CNAs, and get recognized with CVE IDs!

Hashtags 🔖

#CyberSecurity #CVE #EthicalHacking #BugBounty #CyberThreats #VulnerabilityManagement #SecurityResearch #Infosec #CyberHelper

Backlink for More Learning 📚

For more details on CVEs and how to submit them, visit MITRE CVE Program.

🔹 Stay Secure. Stay Updated. Keep Learning! 🔹