In recent years, the U.S. federal government has faced escalating cyber threats from nation-state actors, exposing significant vulnerabilities in its cybersecurity infrastructure. In 2023, Russian-linked hackers exploited software flaws to breach sensitive government data, including information from the Department of Energy. This was followed in November 2024 by a sweeping Chinese cyberespionage campaign targeting U.S. telecommunications networks. Hackers associated with Beijing compromised multiple telecom companies, accessing customer call records and private communications of government officials and political figures. The FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) emphasized the severe implications of these breaches for national security and the urgency of securing critical infrastructure.
Amid this backdrop, discovering the regreSSHion vulnerability (CVE-2024-6387) in OpenSSH servers shed light on the federal government’s significant challenges regarding patch management. Identified in July 2024 by the Qualys Threat Research Unit (TRU), this unauthenticated remote code execution flaw affects glibc-based Linux systems, allowing attackers to gain root access without user interaction and effectively reopening a previously patched vulnerability (CVE-2006-5051).
Implementing automated patching measures will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the federal government against such vulnerabilities. By ensuring timely updates and consistent protection against emergent threats, these automated systems will be vital in preventing exploitation and protecting against potentially crippling data breaches in government.
The Federal Drive Towards Automated Patching
In response to an increase in CISA’s known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs) and both foreign and domestic cyber threats, officials have progressively strengthened federal guidelines and mandates in favor of automated patching. By enabling federal agencies to detect, prioritize, and patch critical vulnerabilities expediently, this method has been vital in managing CISA’s known exploited vulnerabilities and averting crippling data breaches.
The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) has also introduced stringent metrics and evaluation protocols, requiring adoption of automated patching across all federal agencies. These guidelines also require regular audits and assessments to ensure their efficacy.
To comply with CISA and FISMA guidelines, agencies must adopt a comprehensive, strategic approach to automated patching and cyber risk management. The following fundamental steps and recommendations provide a framework for effectively reducing federal cyber risks through automated patching:
- Conduct Thorough Infrastructure Audits and Perform Risk Assessments
Start with a rigorous assessment of all infrastructure components. This thorough audit is essential for compiling a detailed inventory of systems and software. By establishing a comprehensive inventory, agencies can pinpoint which parts of their infrastructure are most vulnerable to security threats and require immediate attention. Knowing these vulnerabilities helps prioritize patching efforts effectively.
Post-audit, evaluate which systems pose the most significant risk if left unpatched based on the criticality of different systems and their potential impact on organizational operations and security. This focused approach ensures that the most significant threats can be addressed promptly.
- Develop a Patch Management Policy Aligned With Federal Guidelines
Establish a clear and detailed patch management policy. This document should outline how patches are managed, detailing timelines, responsibilities, and the processes for deploying regular and emergency patches. A comprehensive policy must also include specific procedures for emergency patching, ensuring that the agency can swiftly respond to critical threats without delay.
Before deploying patches agencywide, test them in controlled environments. This step helps identify potential issues that could disrupt operations and ensures that patches do not introduce new problems. Testing patches in a controlled setup before a full rollout also preserves operational continuity, preventing unexpected downtimes and maintaining the agency’s readiness.
- Deploy Automated Patching
Use automated, risk-based patching measures that prioritize addressing significant vulnerabilities. This strategy ensures that critical threats are mitigated swiftly, maintaining system integrity. Automation must also cover multiple operating systems and third-party applications, significantly reducing human error and improving efficiency. Automated patching also ensures that updates are applied consistently across all systems, maintaining federal security standards and reducing discrepancies.
Implement zero-touch patching techniques to minimize manual intervention. Zero-touch patching can help agencies maintain compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) by reducing the Mean Time to Remediate (MTTR). This approach allows federal cybersecurity teams to focus on strategic mission-critical initiatives rather than manual patch management tasks.
Continuous monitoring measures should be used to track new vulnerabilities and available patches. This strategy prevents security gaps by allowing immediate action on emerging threats and maintaining robust defenses against potential breaches.
- Foster a Collaborative Agencywide Approach
Encourage collaboration between agency IT, security, and operations teams. Breaking down silos and promoting communication across departments ensures a cohesive approach to automated patch management.
The Future of Automated Patching in National and Economic Security and Building Public Trust
Beyond the immediate cybersecurity benefits, automated patching should be seen as a catalyst that carries broader implications for government operations and national security. Enhanced cybersecurity can increase public trust, as citizens feel more secure knowing their personal and sensitive information is protected.
Furthermore, automated patch management can prevent costly and disruptive data breaches, which often result in financial repercussions and damage to the U.S. economy. A more standardized and automated patching process meets federal guidelines while strengthening national security by protecting critical infrastructure and sensitive data from cyber threats, fostering a more resilient security posture across federal agencies.
Saeed Abbasi is Product Manager, Vulnerability Research, with the Qualys Threat Research Unit. He is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with a rich network security, threat intelligence, and vulnerability management background. Having over a decade of experience in the cybersecurity industry, he has significantly contributed to advancing security practices and technologies. Saeed has played pivotal roles in developing advanced security solutions and researching emerging cyber threats. Currently, he focuses on enhancing vulnerability management solutions and promoting best practices in cybersecurity, collaborating with global teams to identify and mitigate security risks worldwide.
An active contributor to the cybersecurity community, Saeed has authored numerous publications and commentaries on network security protocols, threat mitigation strategies, and the evolving landscape of cybersecurity threats. His insights have been featured in various industry journals, magazines and online platforms, establishing him as a respected thought leader. He holds a master’s in computer science and continues participating in conferences, webinars, and panel discussions to share his knowledge and advocate for more robust cybersecurity measures globally.
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