Njones17 Severity Rating: $ARGUMENTS
Walk through CVSS v3.1 scoring systematically, then adjust for real-world context.
Step 1: Understand the Vulnerability
Clarify the following before scoring. If not provided in the arguments, ask:
- What is the vulnerability? (SQLi, XSS, SSRF, RCE, IDOR, auth bypass, etc.)
- Where is it? (public-facing web app, internal API, local service, VPN endpoint)
- What does the vulnerable component have access to? (DB with PII, admin console, file system)
- What level of access does an attacker need to exploit it? (none, low-priv account, admin)
- Does exploiting it require another person to take action? (click a link, visit a page)
Step 2: CVSS v3.1 Base Score
Walk through each metric interactively if not obvious from the description:
Attack Vector (AV)
How does the attacker reach the vulnerable component?
| Value | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Network (N) | Exploitable remotely, no local access needed | Internet-facing web app vuln |
| Adjacent (A) | Same network/segment required | WiFi attack, LAN-only service |
| Local (L) | Requires local shell access | Local privilege escalation |
| Physical (P) | Requires physical hardware access | USB-based attack |
Selected: [AV:?]
Attack Complexity (AC)
Beyond the attacker's control — are special conditions required?
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Low (L) | No special conditions — attack works reliably every time |
| High (H) | Requires specific config, race condition, or prior info gathering |
Selected: [AC:?]
Privileges Required (PR)
What level of authentication does the attacker need?
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| None (N) | No authentication needed — unauthenticated |
| Low (L) | Requires a standard user account |
| High (H) | Requires admin or elevated privileges |
Selected: [PR:?]
User Interaction (UI)
Does exploitation require a victim to do something?
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| None (N) | No victim interaction needed |
| Required (R) | Victim must click, visit, or take some action |
Selected: [UI:?]
Scope (S)
Does impact extend beyond the vulnerable component?
| Value | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Unchanged (U) | Impact stays within the vulnerable component | SQLi → database only |
| Changed (C) | Impact affects other components | XSS → attacker's browser → victim's session |
Selected: [S:?]
Impact Metrics (C/I/A)
For each: None (N) = no impact, Low (L) = limited, High (H) = complete loss
Confidentiality (C): Can the attacker read data they shouldn't? [N/L/H]
- None: No data exposed
- Low: Some data exposed, not all
- High: Full data disclosure possible
Integrity (I): Can the attacker modify data or system state? [N/L/H]
- None: No modification possible
- Low: Limited modification
- High: Full modification/takeover possible
Availability (A): Can the attacker disrupt the service? [N/L/H]
- None: No disruption possible
- Low: Reduced performance or partial unavailability
- High: Full denial of service
Selected: [C:? I:? A:?]
Step 3: Calculate CVSS Score
Using the selected values, calculate or look up the CVSS v3.1 base score:
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:[?]/AC:[?]/PR:[?]/UI:[?]/S:[?]/C:[?]/I:[?]/A:[?]
Base Score: [X.X] Severity: [None (0.0) / Low (0.1-3.9) / Medium (4.0-6.9) / High (7.0-8.9) / Critical (9.0-10.0)]
Step 4: Real-World Context Adjustments
CVSS scores vulnerability in isolation. Adjust your reported severity based on context:
Factors that INCREASE effective risk
- ✅ Public exploit or Metasploit module available → upgrade consideration
- ✅ In CISA KEV (actively exploited in wild) → treat as at least one severity higher
- ✅ Externally accessible without authentication → amplifies base score
- ✅ Leads to access to crown jewel systems (AD, payment DB, customer PII)
- ✅ Part of an exploit chain that achieves critical impact
Factors that DECREASE effective risk
- ✅ Compensating control exists (WAF partially mitigates, network segmentation limits blast radius)
- ✅ Internal-only access required (reduces AV from Network to Local effectively)
- ✅ No public exploit and vulnerability is complex to reproduce
- ✅ Minimal data or system access from the vulnerable component
- ✅ Patch is already deployed or imminent
Adjusted Severity
Based on context: [Same as CVSS / Upgrade to X / Downgrade to X] Reason for adjustment: [Explain if different from raw CVSS]
Step 5: Final Verdict
FINDING: $ARGUMENTS
CVSS Score: [X.X] ([Severity])
CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:[?]/AC:[?]/PR:[?]/UI:[?]/S:[?]/C:[?]/I:[?]/A:[?]
Reported Severity: [Critical / High / Medium / Low / Informational]
Adjusted from CVSS: [Yes — explain / No]
Justification:
[2-3 sentence explanation of why this severity is appropriate,
referencing specific factors: exposure, impact, exploitability,
compensating controls, or context]
Comparable findings for calibration:
- This is similar in severity to: [known CVE or vulnerability type]
- This is more/less severe than: [comparison]
Remediation Priority:
- P1 (24-72h): [If Critical + externally exposed + public exploit]
- P2 (30 days): [If High]
- P3 (90 days): [If Medium]
- P4 (180 days): [If Low/Info]