Decentralized Vulnerability Disclosure via Permissioned Blockchain: A Secure, Transparent Alternative to Centralized CVE Management

Abstract

This paper proposes a decentralized, blockchain-based system for the publication of Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), aiming to mitigate the limitations of the current centralized model primarily overseen by MITRE. The proposed architecture leverages a permissioned blockchain, wherein only authenticated CVE Numbering Authorities (CNAs) are authorized to submit entries. This ensures controlled write access while preserving public transparency. By incorporating smart contracts, the system supports key features such as embargoed disclosures and decentralized governance. We evaluate the proposed model in comparison with existing practices, highlighting its advantages in transparency, trust decentralization, and auditability. A prototype implementation using Hyperledger Fabric is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach, along with a discussion of its implications for the future of vulnerability disclosure.