How to Use the CISA KEV List to Prioritize Exploited Vulnerabilities

CISA KEV: Your Free Threat Feed (That Too Few People Use Properly)

This post is part of the “Briefings” series — fast, focused takes on topics that matter in vulnerability management.

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The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) list is one of the most actionable threat intelligence feeds available — and it’s completely free.

But most organizations either underuse it, or apply it in shallow ways that don’t translate into actual risk reduction.

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What KEV Actually Tells You

• A vulnerability is being exploited in the wild

• CISA believes it's serious enough to require patching for federal agencies

• It’s not speculative. It’s not theoretical. It’s real-world threat activity

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What KEV Doesn’t Tell You

• If the CVE applies to your version or your configuration

• Whether controls already mitigate the risk (e.g., segmentation, EDR)

• How long it has been exploited — the KEV list can lag behind real-world use

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How to Use KEV Effectively

• As a risk signal in prioritization (e.g., KEV = auto Critical regardless of CVSS)

• As a patching override (bump timelines from 30 days to 7)

• As a remediation conversation driver with service owners and teams

• As a compliance signal — especially for regulated US orgs or contractors

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Suggested Controls

✅ KEV is Integrated into VM Tools
Your vulnerability platform highlights or tags KEV vulnerabilities clearly.

✅ KEV-Listed CVEs Trigger SLA Overrides
Internal policy states that KEV = Critical, with fast-track remediation (e.g., 7-day SLA).

✅ KEV Coverage is Audited Regularly
You maintain a report showing open KEV vulnerabilities across your estate, reviewed weekly.

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