Software Security in Peril as MITRE’s CVE Program Faces Funding Crisis

In the world of cybersecurity, information is power. Every time a vulnerability in software is discovered, experts around the globe act quickly—patching systems, updating protocols, and informing users to prevent catastrophic breaches. But the backbone of this rapid response cycle—the tracking and reporting of software flaws—is now in real danger.

The nonprofit MITRE Corporation, which maintains the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) database, is facing potential funding cuts. As a result, the very future of this vital resource hangs in the balance.

What is the CVE Program and Why it Matters

The CVE system operates behind the scenes, yet it is absolutely foundational to the way the tech industry handles cybersecurity threats. The CVE program assigns standardized identifiers to newly discovered software vulnerabilities, making it easier for organizations, researchers, and developers to track, share, and address these issues efficiently.

Here’s why CVEs are essential:

• Centralized Listing: CVEs provide a unified way to describe security flaws across platforms.
• Transparency: Public access to vulnerabilities ensures vendor accountability and community awareness.
• Automation: Many cybersecurity tools and systems rely on CVE IDs to automate detection and patching.

Without this streamlined identification system, the entire process of fixing software flaws would become slower, more fragmented, and vastly more unpredictable.

MITRE’s Role in Cybersecurity Infrastructure

Funded by the US government, MITRE is a nonprofit organization that manages various Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including the backbone of the CVE program. Their role is crucial to keeping the gears of digital security turning smoothly.

For years, MITRE has operated the CVE database in partnership with the US Department of Homeland Security. But in 2023, their funding was consolidated under a new Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) initiative—the Vulnerability Exchange (VulnEx).

Here’s where things started to unravel. With the shift to VulnEx, MITRE’s CVE program funding has reportedly been severely reduced, threatening the nonprofit’s capacity to assign and manage vulnerability entries. And it couldn’t come at a worse time.

Software Vulnerabilities on the Rise

Cyber threats are evolving. Today’s digital environment is marked by continuous updates, rapid software deployment, and complex code dependencies. That means new bugs surface constantly—some of them serious enough to be exploited by hackers for ransomware, data theft, or full system takeovers.

In 2023 alone, over 25,000 CVEs were disclosed—a dramatic increase from just a few years ago. The demand for vulnerability tracking has never been greater. With the CVE program in jeopardy, organizations around the globe could lose one of their most reliable tools just when they need it most.

The Impacts of Funding Cuts

So what does a budget cut mean in practical terms for the software security world?

• Fewer CVEs assigned: Without sufficient staffing, MITRE cannot keep up with the flood of vulnerability disclosures from researchers and vendors.
• Delays in publication: Time is critical when responding to cyber threats. A delayed CVE means delayed action by security teams.
• Industry-wide disruption: Many cybersecurity software solutions depend on CVE IDs for integration. Without them, detection tools and dashboards will have significant blind spots.

And this isn’t just a theoretical worry. Already, vendors and researchers are experiencing bottlenecks in the submission and approval process, raising serious concerns about the robustness of the current disclosure framework.

What Experts Are Saying

Industry professionals are sounding the alarm. For many, the potential degradation of the CVE program spells more than mere inconvenience—it’s a security risk in itself.

Cybersecurity researcher Katie Moussouris, CEO of Luta Security and an early contributor to bug bounty programs, noted the importance of a well-funded, neutral entity managing CVEs:

“The lack of impartiality is part of why CVE works. It exists separate from the companies posting bugs. If funding dries up, that neutrality—and trust—goes with it.”

Others are worried that the VulnEx initiative may serve a narrower government-focused purpose rather than the global transparency the CVE program has traditionally supported. This potential narrowing of scope is creating unease in the community of independent researchers and commercial threat intelligence providers alike.

Redundancy Isn’t Always Better

While some might argue that other platforms—such as NVD (National Vulnerability Database) or vendor-specific advisories—can fill the gap, the reality is that CVE is often the linchpin for the entire ecosystem. These other tools rely on CVE identifiers to function effectively. Without a healthy CVE system, they too will suffer.

The Road Ahead: Can the CVE Program Survive?

At the moment, the cybersecurity community is at a crossroads.

CISA has not provided full transparency on how VulnEx will evolve or whether existing CVE services will continue to be funded. In the meantime, coaches, researchers, IT teams, DevSecOps engineers, and software developers are calling for greater clarity and continued support for MITRE’s efforts.

Possible solutions include:

• Restoring dedicated CVE funding: Guaranteeing a budget line for MITRE’s program well into future fiscal years.
• Public-private partnerships: Involving tech companies in funding or operational support to share the burden.
• Increased automation: Investing in tooling to support higher-volume CVE management with smaller teams.

Perhaps most critical, though, is broad community engagement. Stakeholders across sectors must advocate for continued support and emphasize the threats posed by any interruption in CVE services.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to take for granted the tools and systems that keep our digital lives secure. But when the scaffolding starts to shake, the impact can trickle down to every connected device and networked organization around the world.

The MITRE Corporation’s CVE program has long been a quiet pillar of global software security. If funding cuts continue, we risk plunging into a fragmented, less secure digital world—one where critical flaws may go unseen, unreported, and unaddressed.

Now more than ever, industry and government must come together to safeguard the very systems that have protected us silently for decades. After all, without a central, trusted clearinghouse for software vulnerabilities, the question isn’t whether another cyber catastrophe will happen—it’s simply when.

To stay updated on this story and more on software security, make sure to bookmark our blog and subscribe to our newsletter.