EPSS
Vulnerability Management
Prioritization
Understanding EPSS: A Better Way to Prioritize Vulnerabilities
ThreatMate Team
Oct 30, 2023
4 min read
What is EPSS?
The Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) is a data-driven model that predicts the probability that a vulnerability will be exploited in the wild within the next 30 days.
How EPSS Differs from CVSS
| CVSS | EPSS |
|---|---|
| Measures severity | Predicts exploitability |
| Static score | Updates daily |
| Based on technical characteristics | Based on real-world data |
| Doesn't consider threat landscape | Incorporates threat intelligence |
EPSS uses machine learning to analyze:
- Vulnerability characteristics
- Proof-of-concept availability
- Social media and dark web activity
- Historical exploitation patterns
Using EPSS for Prioritization
Combine with CVSS High CVSS + High EPSS = Immediate priority High CVSS + Low EPSS = Important but less urgent Low CVSS + High EPSS = Don't ignore!
Focus on the 90th Percentile Vulnerabilities in the top 10% of EPSS scores account for the vast majority of exploitation.
Update Regularly EPSS scores change daily as the threat landscape evolves.
ThreatMate Integration
ThreatMate incorporates EPSS scores alongside CVSS to help MSPs prioritize effectively.
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