Managing False Positives and Vulnerability Noise

Managing False Positives and Vulnerability Noise

Vulnerability scanners often produce false positives that can overwhelm security teams and desensitize developers. False positives arise from various sources: incorrect vulnerability database entries, misidentified packages, and environmental factors that prevent exploitation. Managing false positives requires systematic approaches to maintain scanning effectiveness while reducing noise.

Vulnerability suppression mechanisms allow teams to acknowledge and document false positives. Suppression should require justification and regular review. Time-limited suppressions prevent permanent ignoring of real vulnerabilities. Centralized suppression management ensures consistency across teams. Audit trails track suppression decisions for compliance and review.