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Open source software is a big part of today’s technology. It makes development faster, saves money, and offers flexibility. But it also comes with risks. Without proper care, open source tools can create vulnerabilities that threaten security.
Industry leaders such as Snyk are on the lookout for emerging open source vulnerabilities that might put your enterprise at risk.
However, with an increasing rate of open source breaches, it’s not enough to rely on a single source of information to secure your company. In Q3 2024, the number of detected and recorded vulnerabilities continued to rise.
The growing number of vulnerabilities shows the importance of securing open source software. While a great tool for innovation, any weakness can become a target for hackers. Taking the right steps now will protect your business in the future.
Dive into this article to explore a breakdown of the risks related to open source, critical threats to watch for—and discover simple, effective best practices to stand resolute.
Why Open Source Has Risks
Open source software is everywhere—powering cloud platforms, apps, and business tools. The same “openness” that allows collaboration and innovation also opens the door to threats.
In essence, public code means attackers can find and use weaknesses.
Even with communities fixing issues fast, open source projects are still targets. Problems like Heartbleed and the Apache Struts breach show why securing open source tools is critical. If these vulnerabilities aren’t handled, they can cause serious harm.
For security professionals, keeping open source software safe means:
Staying alert;
Applying protective measures;
And managing risks effectively.
While simple, these requirements often turn out to be daunting tasks, driving many developers to rely on modern tools to improve their efforts.
By relying on the same approach and tools, teams can defend their systems and stay strong for the future.
Open Source Malware Lurks
Open source malware is common in ecosystems with little verification, high usage, and many users. By releasing higher version numbers, malicious actors trick systems and spread malicious code through development pipelines.
Sonatype found more than 540,000 malicious components on Node Package Manager (more than the 5,000 found on PyPI). The ease of publishing on Node Package Manager, with little verification, lets developers quickly upload malicious packages on a large scale. The report also mentioned that Node Package Manager has faced waves of spam packages in recent years.
Shadow downloads, which bypass checks, increased by 32.8% last year, often targeting developers.
When companies skip repository managers, they lose the ability to enforce crucial policies like release checks or vulnerability scans. This opens the door for potential risks, leaving systems more vulnerable to attacks.
Poor visibility impacts these downloads by making them often go unnoticed, making updates harder to handle. Shadow downloads also introduce components that can lead to malicious packages, like dependency confusion or typosquatting. In addition, they weaken software supply chain security in several important ways.
This shows the need for stronger protection to stop malware before it enters development systems.
Common Vulnerabilities in Open Source
Flexibility and innovation driven by open source products also bring specific security risks that require proactive attention. The table below explains the most common vulnerabilities in open source, including outdated libraries and dependencies, inconsistent maintenance, insecure default configurations, and improperly managed permissions.
Outdated Libraries and Dependencies Many open source projects depend on third-party libraries. If these libraries aren’t updated often, they can carry known vulnerabilities, making systems easy targets for attackers. Regularly updating dependencies is vital for safeguarding systems. | Inconsistent Maintenance Not every open source project receives the same level of care. Some are abandoned or infrequently updated, leaving security flaws unpatched for long periods. Using such software increases exposure to potential threats. |
Insecure Default Configurations Default settings in open source tools and libraries are often not configured with security as a priority. If these settings aren’t reviewed and adjusted, they can expose systems to avoidable risks. Proper configuration is a necessary step in securing software. | Improperly Managed Permissions Open source software sometimes assigns overly broad permissions by default, granting excessive access to users or systems. This can create opportunities for privilege escalation attacks. Managing permissions carefully reduces these risks. |
Focusing on these areas helps organizations manage open source vulnerabilities while still benefiting from the advantages of using open source tools.
Lockdown on Open Source Vulnerabilities
To effectively protect your systems from open source vulnerabilities, consider the following factors.
Keep Dependencies Up to Date
Regularly update open source dependencies to help minimize exposure to known vulnerabilities. Set aside time to check for updates and patches, and use automation tools like Depfu or Mend Renovate to streamline the process.
Using Automated Tools
Automated tools can quickly spot vulnerabilities in your open source software. Tools like OWASP Dependency-Check scan for outdated or risky dependencies. Integrating them into your Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipeline helps catch issues as soon as new code is deployed.
Conducting Regular Security Audits
Regularly audit your open source software to identify and address potential risks. Look for abandoned software, vulnerabilities, or missing patches. Tools like Invicti can help with manual audits, and third-party experts can provide a more thorough review.
Configuring for Security
Before deploying open source software, take time to review and modify its default settings. Ensure it’s configured securely, and follow key practices like limiting access to only what’s necessary, based on the principle of least privilege.
Monitoring for Emerging Vulnerabilities
Since open source vulnerabilities evolve, continuous monitoring is essential. Stay updated with real-time alerts from tools like Sonar and Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures databases whenever new risks are discovered in your open source components.
In conclusion
To protect against the risks of open source, organizations need to keep dependencies up to date, use automated tools to find vulnerabilities, and do regular security checks.
Open-source malware remains a growing threat, demanding immediate action from security teams. As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, stronger security practices are essential for protection.
By addressing issues like outdated libraries, weak settings, and unvetted components, security teams can reduce the risk of malware and breaches.
With vulnerabilities on the rise, it’s crucial to act now and secure software supply chains, all while continuing to benefit from open-source tools.
