97 Things Every Application Security Professional Should Know

Chapter 62. Integrating Security into Open Source Dependencies

Alyssa Columbus

Open source software has become ubiquitous in application development, providing ready-made components that accelerate time-to-market, reduce costs, and foster shared innovation. However, unchecked open source usage creates significant security risks that must be proactively managed throughout the software life cycle. Here are some essential practices to mitigate these risks and ensure the overall security of the software development process.

Selecting Secure Open Source Libraries

When selecting open source libraries, frameworks, and components, thoroughly vet both code and community:

• Review the open source project’s public vulnerability history to assess susceptibility to vulnerabilities and how quickly issues are addressed. An engaged, responsive maintainer community adept at rapidly patching flaws is essential.

• Evaluate the community. Look for a large and active community with a diverse set of contributors. A healthy community is a good indicator of a well-maintained project.

• Analyze the frequency of releases. Frequent, incremental updates indicate active maintenance. Go for libraries with recent releases over stale, unsupported ones.

• Check for the use of sound engineering practices like input validation, error handling, proper use of encryption, and the principle of least privilege. Avoid ...