In a significant move for global cybersecurity coordination, ISO has formally published “ISO/IEC 20153:2025 Information technology — OASIS Common Security Advisory Framework (CSAF) v2.0 Specification“ as an international standard in early 2025. This milestone reflects the growing demand for structured, machine-readable vulnerability disclosure formats that promote faster and more consistent responses to security threats.
What Is CSAF?
The Common Security Advisory Framework (CSAF), developed by OASIS, is an open standard designed to automate the distribution and consumption of security advisories. It replaces ad hoc, unstructured approaches—like PDFs or web pages—with a consistent, JSON-based format that enables automated processing by security tools, software providers, and enterprise IT systems.
By defining a standardized way to describe software vulnerabilities and associated remediation actions, CSAF allows for rapid, accurate information sharing between vendors, customers, and national CERTs (Computer Emergency Response Teams).
Why the ISO Standard Matters
Formal adoption by ISO elevates CSAF from a widely used technical specification to an internationally recognized standard for structured cybersecurity communication. This gives it greater weight in regulatory, procurement, and policy contexts, particularly for governments and critical infrastructure operators.
The new ISO standard supports broader international alignment on:
- Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD)
- Automated Threat Intelligence Sharing
- Security Patch Prioritization
- Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) use cases
Key Features of CSAF v2.0
- Machine-readable JSON schema for vulnerability advisories
- Rich metadata including CVEs, CWEs, CVSS scores, product IDs, and patch guidance
- Support for complex product relationships (e.g., modules, firmware, components)
- Digital signing and trust verification mechanisms
- Profiles for different stakeholder needs (e.g., vendors, coordinators, end users)
Use Cases and Benefits
Organizations can use CSAF to:
- Distribute advisories faster and in formats compatible with SIEMs, vulnerability scanners, and asset management platforms
- Enable automation of alert triage and patch workflows
- Integrate with SBOMs to assess exposure across a complex software stack
- Support compliance with disclosure mandates in regions adopting modern cybersecurity regulations (e.g., EU Cyber Resilience Act, U.S. Executive Order 14028)
Getting Started
- Security vendors can start publishing advisories in CSAF format, alongside traditional channels.
- Enterprises can update their tooling to ingest CSAF feeds and integrate vulnerability data into risk management dashboards.
- Policymakers and regulators can reference the ISO standard to encourage or require structured disclosure.
Final Thoughts
The ISO publication of CSAF v2.0 marks a key step in the global movement toward secure, transparent, and interoperable cybersecurity communication. It bridges the gap between security researchers, software vendors, and enterprise IT teams, making it easier to act fast and respond smartly.
As cybersecurity evolves, standards like CSAF 2.0 provide the foundation for scalable, resilient practices across borders and industries.