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The process of identifying known vulnerabilities in software without a CVE (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifier is significantly more complex than searching standardized databases like the NVD (National Vulnerability Database). While NVD queries take seconds, manually scouring forums, exploit proof-of-concepts (PoCs), and vendor change logs can consume hours—time that could be better spent uncovering novel security flaws.
This inefficiency reduces the ability of security testers to deliver high-value insights to clients, pushing the cybersecurity landscape closer to an unregulated “wild west” scenario. The recent disruption in MITRE’s CVE support further exacerbates this issue, leaving many vulnerabilities unclassified and harder to track.
You Should Know: Practical Steps for Vulnerability Hunting Without CVE
1. Leverage Alternative Databases
- Use Exploit-DB (
searchsploit) to find undocumented exploits:searchsploit "Apache 2.4.49"
- Check VulnCheck or VulDB for non-CVE vulnerabilities.
2. Monitor Vendor Advisories
- Parse vendor security bulletins using `curl` and
grep:curl -s https://vendor.com/security | grep -i "vulnerability"
- Track GitHub commit logs for security patches:
git log --grep="CVE|security|fix"
3. Automate Forum & Blog Scraping
- Use `wget` to archive discussions from security forums:
wget --mirror https://forum.securityfocus.com
- Extract exploit mentions with regex:
grep -r "0day|exploit|vulnerability" ./forum-dumps/
4. Analyze Binary Changes
- Compare patched and unpatched binaries using `radiff2` (from radare2):
radiff2 -A original.exe patched.exe
- Detect suspicious functions with Ghidra or IDA Pro.
5. Enhance Threat Intelligence Feeds
- Integrate OSINT tools like MISP or TheHive for non-CVE threats:
misp-import --url https://misp.local/ --event 42
- Query Shodan for exposed vulnerable services:
shodan search "Apache 2.4.49" --fields ip_str,port
What Undercode Say
The absence of CVE identifiers forces security teams to adopt proactive, manual methods for vulnerability discovery. Key takeaways:
– Linux Command: Use `diff` to compare software versions:
diff -r /opt/old-version/ /opt/new-version/
– Windows Command: Check patch history via PowerShell:
Get-HotFix | Sort-Object InstalledOn -Descending
– Mitigation: Isolate unpatched systems using iptables:
iptables -A INPUT -p tcp --dport 80 -j DROP
– Forensics: Extract memory artifacts with Volatility:
volatility -f memory.dump --profile=Win10 pslist
Expected Output: A structured workflow combining automated tools and manual analysis to bridge the CVE gap.
Relevant URLs:
References:
Reported By: Thomasjballin I – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅
