vuln-scan-flow

name	vuln-scan-flow
description	Builds a structured vulnerability scanning workflow using tools like Nessus, Qualys, and OpenVAS to discover, prioritize, and track remediation of security vulnerabilities across infrastructure. Use when SOC teams need to establish recurring vulnerability assessment processes, integrate scan results with SIEM alerting, and build remediation tracking dashboards.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	soc-operations
tags	["soc","vulnerability-scanning","nessus","qualys","openvas","cvss","remediation","patch-management"]
version	1.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["DE.CM-01","DE.AE-02","RS.MA-01","DE.AE-06"]

Building Vulnerability Scanning Workflow

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• SOC teams need to establish or improve recurring vulnerability scanning programs
• Scan results require prioritization beyond raw CVSS scores using asset context and threat intelligence
• Vulnerability data must be integrated into SIEM for correlation with exploitation attempts
• Remediation tracking needs formalization with SLA-based dashboards and reporting

Do not use for penetration testing or active exploitation — vulnerability scanning identifies weaknesses, penetration testing validates exploitability.

Prerequisites

• Vulnerability scanner (Tenable Nessus Professional, Qualys VMDR, or OpenVAS/Greenbone)
• Asset inventory with criticality classifications (business-critical, standard, development)
• Network access from scanner to all target segments (agent-based or network scan)
• SIEM integration for scan result ingestion and correlation
• Patch management system (WSUS, SCCM, Intune) for remediation tracking

Workflow

Step 1: Define Scan Scope and Scheduling

Create scan policies covering all asset types:

Nessus Scan Configuration (API):

import requests

nessus_url = "https://nessus.company.com:8834"
headers = {"X-ApiKeys": f"accessKey={access_key};secretKey={secret_key}"}

# Create scan policy
policy = {
    "uuid": "advanced",
    "settings": {
        "name": "SOC Weekly Infrastructure Scan",
        "description": "Weekly credentialed scan of all server and workstation segments",
        "scanner_id": 1,
        "policy_id": 0,
        "text_targets": "10.0.0.0/16, 172.16.0.0/12",
        "launch": "WEEKLY",
        "starttime": ,
        : ,
        : 
    },
    : {
        : {
            : {
                : [{
                    : ,
                    : ,
                    : ,
                    : 
                }],
                : [{
                    : ,
                    : ,
                    : 
                }]
            }
        }
    }
}

response = requests.post(, headers=headers, json=policy,
                         verify= os.environ.get(, ).lower() == )  
scan_id = response.json()[][]
()