The Department of Commerce’s vulnerability disclosure program (VDP), designed to protect its public-facing information technology systems, has been deemed “not fully effective” according to a recent audit conducted by the department’s Office of Inspector General (OIG). The audit highlights several shortcomings in the department’s approach to vulnerability disclosure and remediation.
The Commerce Department established its VDP in response to a directive from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). This directive required all federal agencies to implement a vulnerability disclosure policy that allows members of the public to identify and report security vulnerabilities in internet-accessible government systems. Such programs are considered a critical component of federal cybersecurity efforts, enabling agencies to leverage external expertise to safeguard digital infrastructure.
However, the OIG’s audit, formally titled Audit of the Department’s Vulnerability Reporting and Resolution Program (Report Number OIG-26-002-A), found that the department’s program fell short in several key areas. “The Department established a vulnerability disclosure program; however, it was not fully effective,” the report states. Specifically, the audit found that not all internet-accessible systems were included in the VDP, testing guidelines restricted the tools public security researchers could use, reported vulnerabilities were not always fully remediated, and remediation deadlines were frequently missed.
Gaps in Remediation and Vulnerability Reporting
The OIG reviewed 71 resolved vulnerability disclosures and found that only 57 (80%) had been fully remediated, leaving 14 (20%) unresolved. Moreover, the audit indicated that since 2023, the department failed to meet established deadlines for remediating vulnerabilities approximately 35% of the time. “Without an effective vulnerability disclosure program, the Department cannot protect its internet-accessible systems, leaving them susceptible to potential compromise and exploitation,” the report warned.
The audit also highlighted structural issues with the VDP. The department limited its scope to 64 internet-accessible websites, excluding 22 department-owned or operated sites. Additionally, the contractor managing the VDP portal prohibited the use of automated scanners, tools widely used by public security researchers to detect vulnerabilities.
OIG Recommendations and Next Steps
To address these deficiencies, the OIG issued three recommendations. First, the department should revise its VDP testing scope to align with CISA’s Binding Operational Directive 20-01, which emphasizes including all internet-accessible systems in vulnerability disclosure efforts.
Second, the department should update and implement standard operating procedures for vulnerability reporting and resolution to ensure comprehensive remediation across affected systems. Finally, the OIG recommended establishing an automated system to coordinate communication between contractors and bureaus and prompt timely action on delayed remediation efforts.
The Importance of Vulnerability Disclosure Programs (VDPs)
The OIG audit highlights the critical role of vulnerability disclosure programs (VDPs) in federal cybersecurity. CISA has emphasized that a strong VDP allows agencies to detect weaknesses before they are exploited, ensuring that vulnerabilities reported by security researchers are systematically assessed, tracked, and remediated.
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