The document discusses the history and development of vulnerability scoring systems. It provides background on early vulnerability scanners and scoring models from the 1990s. It then describes the creation of the Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) in 2003 by DHS, MITRE and other organizations to provide an open, standardized scoring method. The document outlines the initial goals for CVSS and lists the participating organizations. It also summarizes some of the key metrics used in CVSS scoring, including access vector, access complexity, authentication requirements, and impact categories.