What is the purpose of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) tool?

The purpose of the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) tool is to provide a comprehensive dictionary of known security vulnerabilities. This tool serves as a standardized reference to identify and classify vulnerabilities in software and hardware, allowing security professionals to access information about particular vulnerabilities effectively. Each CVE entry includes information such as a unique identifier, a brief description of the vulnerability, and references to additional resources. This centralization of information aids organizations in understanding existing vulnerabilities, prioritizing their remediation efforts, and improving their overall security posture.

The other choices focus on functions that are not related to CVE. Managing data encryption keys pertains to cryptographic practices, enhancing antivirus software capabilities relates to malware detection and prevention, and conducting audits on network security focuses on evaluating the security posture of a network, none of which fall within the scope or intended use of the CVE system.