cmmc-si-1 Critical priority System & Info Integrity / Flaw Remediation

Identify, report, and correct information system flaws in a timely manner

Software vulnerabilities are a primary entry point for attackers. Unpatched systems with known vulnerabilities are routinely exploited within days or weeks of a patch being publicly available. Organizations must have a process for discovering vulnerabilities in their systems, prioritizing them by severity, and applying patches or mitigations within a defined timeframe. Critical vulnerabilities should be remediated faster than routine patches.

8h estimated effort

vulnerability-management patching security-operations

Implementation steps

1

Implement vulnerability scanning

Deploy a vulnerability scanner to regularly scan all systems in scope for FCI. Run authenticated scans that log into systems and report vulnerabilities in installed software, not just externally visible issues. Schedule scans at least monthly, or more frequently for internet-facing systems.

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2

Establish patch management processes

Define patching windows and SLAs by severity: for example, critical vulnerabilities patched within 14 days, high within 30 days, medium within 90 days. Use a patch management system to deploy patches automatically where possible and track patch compliance across your environment.

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3

Prioritize and track remediation

Create a process to triage vulnerability scan results, prioritize by CVSS score and exploitability, and assign remediation tickets. Track open vulnerabilities and their remediation status. Escalate vulnerabilities that are approaching or past their SLA. Document accepted risks for vulnerabilities that cannot be immediately patched.

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4

Subscribe to security advisories

Subscribe to vulnerability notifications from CISA (US-CERT), software vendors for all products in your environment, and the National Vulnerability Database. When critical vulnerabilities are announced, assess your exposure immediately rather than waiting for the next scheduled scan.