Top 3 Leading Software Composition Analysis (SCA) Tools for Scanning Open Source for Vulnerabilities

Open-source software (OSS) is everywhere these days, making development faster and more efficient. It speeds up the development process by providing pre-built solutions to common problems, enabling developers to focus on more innovative aspects of their projects. But with the rise of open-source comes some risks. The author of the code is often unknown, raising concerns about whether they adhere to security best practices or address common vulnerabilities such as the OWASP Top 10. Additionally, malicious actors may attempt to exploit OSS. A recent example is the backdoor found in the xz-utils package, highlighting the need for good vulnerability scanners

What is an Software Composition Analysis (SCA) Tools for Scanning Open Source for Vulnerabilities

Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  is a tool designed to identify security vulnerabilities within open-source dependencies used in your applications. These tools, known as Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools, are essential in today's development world. They help developers and security teams detect and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by attackers. By integrating these tools, you can avoid accidentally including vulnerable packages that could put your applications at risk before they are  pushed to production. 

The Benefits of Using Software Composition Analysis (SCA) 

Vulnerabilities in open-source software are disclosed on a daily basis, making continuous monitoring an absolute necessity. Implementing a Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  allows you to catch and patch these vulnerabilities as soon as they are identified, reducing the window of opportunity for attackers. By incorporating security measures from the start of the development process, you ensure that your software is secure by design. Additionally, addressing vulnerabilities before production is also more cost-effective, as fixing issues earlier in the development lifecycle generally requires fewer resources compared to post-deployment fixes.

Top 3 Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  in 2024

1. Backslash Security

Backslash Security stands out as the most accurate SCA tool tailored for Application Security (AppSec) teams. Backslash analyzes both direct and transitive packages, ensuring 100% reachability coverage. It outperforms existing tools that solely focus on direct packages, accounting for only 11% of packages. Backslash excels by prioritizing reachable OSS vulnerabilities in both direct and indirect packages. Coupled with Backslash's VEX and SBOM features, this positions it as a top-tier SCA solution.

2. OWASP Dependency-Check

OWASP Dependency-Check is an open-source tool that helps you identify vulnerabilities in your project dependencies. Dependency-Check uses the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) to provide info on known vulnerabilities without providing detailed context or advanced analytics. Being an open-source project, support is primarily community-driven, which might not be sufficient for enterprise-level needs.

3. Legacy solutions

Black Duck, along with other legacy solutions such as Mend and Snyk, have pioneered the SCA field and have been instrumental in shaping how we approach open-source security. However, these tools were developed at a time when flagging every single vulnerability made sense. Nowadays, the challenge is that these tools often flag an overwhelming number of vulnerabilities, making it impractical to address them all. This flood of alerts means developers spend minimal time reviewing them, leading to a widening security gap. These legacy solutions struggle to provide the modern twist needed to effectively prioritize and manage vulnerabilities in today’s fast-paced development environments.

FAQ

How do Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  Work?

Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  work by analyzing the OSS code dependencies in your projects and comparing them against a database of known vulnerabilities. They identify any matches and provide information on the nature of the vulnerabilities, including severity, impact, and remediation steps. Modern scanners should also rely on additional factors such as reachability analysis, which helps prioritize vulnerabilities based on their actual usage and exploitability within your specific codebase. They should cover both direct and transitive packages with a robust policy engine and incorporate additional indicators such as the Exploit Prediction Scoring System (EPSS) and the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (CISA KEV) list to provide a complete risk assessment.

How does a Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  improve security?

By continuously monitoring your code dependencies for known vulnerabilities, Software Composition Analysis (SCA)  helps you catch and address security issues early. This proactive approach reduces the risk of exploitation and enhances the overall security of your applications.

How often should you run a vulnerability scan?

It's recommended to run vulnerability scans regularly, ideally as part of your continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline. Frequent scans ensure that new vulnerabilities are detected and addressed promptly, minimizing the window of exposure.

Summary

As the adoption of open-source software continues to grow, the need for effective vulnerability management becomes increasingly critical. SCA tools play a vital role in identifying and mitigating security risks associated with third-party dependencies. By choosing the right tool, such as Backslash Security, you can enhance your security posture and protect your applications from potential threats. Regular scanning, combined with a proactive approach to vulnerability management, will help you maintain a secure development environment and deliver safer software to your users.