Establishes a structured, repeatable process for identifying, classifying, and remediating vulnerabilities in ITS applications and systems. This pattern ensures developers and maintainers implement a documented vulnerability management program that includes scanning, triage, patching, secure communications with researchers, and user notification.
This pattern applies to any organization that develops or maintains ITS applications, onboard systems (OBUs), infrastructure software (e.g., RSUs), or backend services. Vulnerability management is critical to reduce exploitable attack surfaces, meet regulatory expectations, and demonstrate due diligence.
Applies To
Application Developers, OEMs, System Integrators, Backend Service Providers
Used For
Vulnerability scanning, verification, patching, and disclosure
Scanning & Detection: Integrate automated vulnerability scanning tools into the development lifecycle. Scan third-party libraries, firmware components, and platform dependencies as part of build or pre-release processes. Schedule full system scans (static/dynamic) prior to major releases.
Verification & Classification: Review each vulnerability for its potential to be exploited in the deployed environment. Categorize findings using industry standard metrics (e.g., CVSS). Distinguish false positives, document conditions for exploit, and flag high-risk vectors for immediate action.
Contact Point for Disclosure: Provide a security contact (e.g., security@yourdomain.com) and response policy. Monitor submissions from researchers or users and acknowledge reports within a defined SLA. Track inbound reports through a structured intake workflow.
Remediation Planning: Assign verified vulnerabilities to development teams for remediation. Define a severity-based patch timeline (e.g., critical: 7 days; high: 30 days). Use version control tagging and commit-level traceability for all fixes.
Patch Testing & Release: Build and test security patches using defined QA workflows. Include regression testing, backward compatibility checks, and validation of the fix. Use digitally signed binaries and validated update packages for delivery.
User Notification & Disclosure: When a vulnerability fix is deployed, publish release notes with a CVE or internal identifier, affected versions, and remediation instructions. Coordinate responsible disclosure with affected partners or integrators.
Audit & Traceability: Maintain a log of all vulnerability reports, resolution actions, test outcomes, patch deployments, and communications. Ensure traceability between discovery, fix, and disclosure. Use this log for internal audits or third-party assessments.
A third-party security researcher identifies a buffer overflow in an RSU API and emails the listed security contact. A ticket is opened, the vulnerability is verified, and a patch is scheduled.
CVE Scan in Web Application
A scanner detects outdated TLS libraries in a traffic app backend. Triage confirms risk, updates the library, and informs customers.
Establishes a structured, security-aware development lifecycle that incorporates cybersecurity risk management into each stage of ITS product design, implementation, and delivery. This pattern helps ensure that both software and hardware products meet minimum cybersecurity expectations, resist common attack vectors, and can be maintained securely over time. A formal Secure Development Lifecycle (SDL) incorporates security engineering, threat modelling, secure coding, vulnerability testing, and traceable quality controls into the product development process.
Requirements & Design: Begin by performing a security-focused review of product architecture. Identify trust boundaries, data sensitivity, and critical services. Develop threat models to anticipate misuse or compromise scenarios. Apply architectural controls early (e.g., privilege separation, secure boot).
Coding & Build Phase: Enforce secure coding standards and require code reviews with security checklists. Integrate static analysis tools and dynamic analysis tools into the CI/CD pipeline. Use fuzz testing for inputs like V2X messages, web APIs, or firmware update channels.
Test & Validation: Perform security regression testing, including authentication/authorization tests, input validation, and transport security checks. Integrate third-party security testing tools and validate security functions (e.g., certificate validation logic, logging, and error handling).
Quality Control: Maintain centralized tracking of test coverage, open vulnerabilities, patch backlog, and known defects. All releases must pass quality gates including functional correctness, performance, and cybersecurity posture.
Release & Deployment: Digitally sign release artifacts and maintain integrity verification workflows. Validate that installation or update procedures include checks for compatibility, authentication, and rollback safety.
Maintenance & Support: Track reported vulnerabilities through a vulnerability management program. Reassess threats periodically and update the SDL based on evolving threat landscape or standards updates.
A vendor implements a secure firmware update flow and tracks defects through a secure CI/CD pipeline.
V2X Application Rollout
A fleet management app is built using SDL. Threat modelling identifies risk of spoofed messages; mitigation is added, and regression tests validate correctness.
A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) provides a structured inventory of the software components and dependencies used in a device, service, or application. This pattern ensures that vendors and developers can identify vulnerable components, track software provenance, and respond effectively to security advisories or regulatory inquiries. SBOMs support transparency and accountability across the ITS supply chain and enable Infrastructure Owners and Operators (IOOs) to assess supply chain risk during procurement and deployment.
This pattern applies to ITS vendors, OEMs, software developers, and system integrators that produce or manage software components embedded in field devices, backend services, or V2X applications.
Applies To
OEMs, software developers, system integrators, device vendors
Used For
Component tracking, vulnerability management, procurement support
Dependencies
Secure development practices, tooling for SBOM generation, CVE/CPE mapping
Tool Integration: Use automated tools integrated into CI/CD pipelines to generate SBOMs during the build process. Validate that the SBOM reflects the final deployed image or firmware.
Format Selection: Choose a recognized standard such as SPDX or CycloneDX , and ensure output is machine-readable (e.g., JSON or XML).
Component Granularity: List all software packages and libraries, including open-source, proprietary, and third-party components.
Validation and Review: Perform SBOM validation to check for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with product binaries.
Distribution: Provide SBOMs to customers or regulators upon request, and include them as part of security documentation or procurement packages.
Security Alignment: Link SBOMs to vulnerability databases (e.g., NVD) and maintain an internal process to identify and act on component vulnerabilities.
Supply Chain Security ensures that cybersecurity requirements are consistently applied across all suppliers and partners involved in the design, development, production, and operation of ITS devices and services. The pattern provides a framework for verifying supplier capability, setting contractual requirements, and ensuring that vulnerabilities or compromises in one part of the supply chain do not propagate through the system. This aligns with ISO/SAE 21434 provisions on distributed development and supplier management.
This pattern applies to OEMs, Tiered suppliers, system integrators, and Infrastructure Owners and Operators (IOOs) who procure, deliver, or maintain ITS components and services.