The importance of vulnerability management programs in addressing security weaknesses and vulnerabilities within system and software designs cannot be overstated. These programs go beyond patch management and uncovering insecure configurations to provide organizations with a comprehensive approach to managing vulnerabilities. To achieve this, organizations need access to powerful vulnerability management tools that can automate various tasks. Here, we evaluate eight open-source and vendor-supported vulnerability management tools that organizations can consider deploying as part of their vulnerability management program.
1. Aqua Security Trivy:
Trivy is an open-source vulnerability scanner acquired by Aqua Security in 2019. It specializes in scanning cloud-native environments, including OSes, container images, and code repositories. Trivy identifies software with missing patches, known Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), and configuration issues in infrastructure-as-code. It supports multiple programming languages and detects missing patches in both those languages and application dependencies. While Trivy is free to use, Aqua Security offers additional paid vulnerability scanning and management capabilities through Aqua Wave and Aqua Enterprise.
2. CrowdStrike Falcon Complete XDR:
CrowdStrike offers a managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) service known as Falcon Complete XDR. This service provides vulnerability management capabilities alongside endpoint and cloud instance protection. CrowdStrike’s Falcon Complete XDR is part of a suite of Falcon products and services that handle various aspects of cybersecurity. Pricing for Falcon Complete XDR, including vulnerability management via Falcon Spotlight, can be obtained by contacting CrowdStrike.
3. Greenbone OpenVAS:
Greenbone OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanner that offers a continuously updated feed of vulnerability tests. It conducts scans for both operating system (OS) and application vulnerabilities, targeting missing patches and configuration errors. OpenVAS can perform both authenticated and unauthenticated scans, making it quite versatile. Greenbone also provides a comprehensive vulnerability management tool called Greenbone Community Edition, which includes a security assistant and vulnerability manager daemon. While OpenVAS is free to use, organizations can opt for Greenbone’s commercial vulnerability service to access a larger set of vulnerability tests.
4. Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management:
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management provides tools for vulnerability scanning and assessment. It works in tandem with Microsoft Defender for Endpoint and the Microsoft 365 E5 productivity suite. Defender Vulnerability Management is capable of identifying and prioritizing missing patches, configuration errors, expiring digital certificates, and other security issues on endpoints. Whether connected or not connected to the corporate network, it can scan managed and unmanaged endpoints using agentless scanners and built-in modules. Customers who already have Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 or Microsoft 365 E5 can add Defender Vulnerability Management as a feature for an additional $2 per user, per month. Non-Microsoft customers can try Defender Vulnerability Management standalone for free.
5. Qualys VMDR 2.0:
Qualys VMDR 2.0 is a cloud-based risk-based vulnerability management platform. It focuses on detecting missing patches, configuration errors, and expiring digital certificates. VMDR 2.0 can prioritize and perform remediation tasks while also integrating with various ticketing systems and patch and configuration management products. To get started with Qualys VMDR 2.0, organizations can access a 30-day free trial and request a personalized quote from the vendor.
6. Rapid7 InsightVM:
InsightVM is an agent-based vulnerability management product offered by Rapid7. It identifies vulnerabilities in endpoints and provides capabilities for remediation, as well as tracking through existing ticketing systems. InsightVM can also scan endpoints for compliance with cybersecurity standards. The product integrates with more than 40 tools commonly used in IT environments, such as Splunk, AWS, and ServiceNow. Rapid7 offers a free trial for InsightVM, while pricing details can be obtained by requesting a per-asset quote.
7. Tenable Nessus:
Tenable Nessus is a widely-used vulnerability management tool that supports various platforms, including Internet of Things (IoT) devices running on Raspberry Pi. Nessus excels at discovering vulnerable software versions, security misconfigurations, and default passwords. It features a plugin library with over 190,000 plugins, with new ones released regularly. Tenable offers different licensing options, including Professional and Expert licenses starting at $3,590 and $5,290, respectively. They also offer Nessus Essentials, which is a free but limited version of the tool.
8. Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator:
Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator is a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) based cybersecurity management platform designed for endpoints. It offers a single interface that automates and monitors various cybersecurity management tasks, including identifying missing patches, misconfigurations, and other endpoint issues. Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator also automatically remediates discovered vulnerabilities and integrates with more than 150 third-party tools through its APIs. Organizations interested in using Trellix ePolicy Orchestrator can contact Trellix for a demonstration and personalized pricing quote.
In conclusion, organizations looking to implement a mature vulnerability management program should consider deploying multiple tools to address the various aspects of vulnerability management. The eight tools mentioned above represent a diverse range of options, both open-source and vendor-supported, that can help organizations automate vulnerability scanning, prioritize patching, and enhance overall cybersecurity posture. Each tool brings unique features and capabilities, allowing organizations to choose the one that best suits their needs, budget, and technical environment.