SCA tools inventory dependencies and match them against vulnerability databases like CVE and NVD.
Why SCA matters
- Modern applications use 80-90% open-source code.
- One vulnerable library affects all applications using it.
- Log4Shell (CVE-2021-44228) demonstrated supply chain risk.
- License compliance requirements in regulated industries.
What SCA analyzes
- Package manager manifests (package.json, requirements.txt, pom.xml).
- Lock files for exact version detection.
- Container images and base image layers.
- Binary artifacts and compiled dependencies.
Popular SCA tools
- Commercial: Snyk, Sonatype Nexus, Black Duck, Mend (WhiteSource).
- Open source: OWASP Dependency-Check, Trivy, Grype.
CI/CD integration
- Scan on every build.
- Block deployments with critical vulnerabilities.
- Auto-create pull requests for updates (Dependabot, Renovate).
- Generate SBOM (Software Bill of Materials).
Remediation strategies
- Upgrade: Update to patched version.
- Patch: Apply security patch if upgrade not possible.
- Mitigate: Implement compensating controls.
- Replace: Switch to alternative library.
- Accept: Document risk for low-impact findings.
Best practices
- Establish vulnerability SLAs (critical: 24h, high: 7d).
- Monitor for new CVEs in production dependencies.
- Audit transitive (indirect) dependencies.
- Maintain SBOM for incident response.
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