Open Source Exposed

Originally Published in Threats and Vulnerabilities Report – H1 2023

Open-source software has become a cornerstone of contemporary software development, fostering innovation, collaboration, and delivering cost-effective solutions. With over 60% of workloads deployed on Microsoft Azure utilizing open-source Linux-based operating systems, and nearly 97% of applications containing open-source code or libraries, the significance of open-source cannot be overstated. Nevertheless, amid the myriad benefits it offers, one must also remain mindful of the potential risks that accompany it. These include vulnerabilities, compromised legitimate packages, outdated and unsupported packages, untracked dependencies, and immature software.

Users must adopt a "Never Trust, and Always Verify" strategy when selecting and adopting open-source solutions. Gartner predicts that "by 2025, 45% of organizations worldwide will have experienced attacks on their software supply chains, marking a three-fold increase from 2021.”

Today, mature organizations understand common open-source risks and have integrated secure software development lifecycle policies, open-source usage policies, and software lifecycle assurance processes to address these challenges. An often-overlooked aspect is the regulatory and licensing risk, frequently dismissed by developers as "not important", or "someone else's job," or even due to the misconception that open-source automatically implies free usage. However, this risk introduces serious compliance challenges and potential legal consequences, demanding awareness from businesses and developers alike.

When developers incorporate open-source elements into their projects, they inherit the license terms of those libraries. Failing to adhere to these license requirements can result in severe consequences, including legal disputes, penalties, and harm to reputation. Various open-source licenses impose different obligations, ranging from permissive licenses like MIT and Apache to more restrictive ones like the General Public License (GPL). Grasping these licenses and their implications is imperative for ensuring compliance.

A notable compliance challenge stems from the “copyleft” nature of certain open-source licenses, such as the GPL. Copyleft licenses stipulate that modifications to the original code must be licensed under the same terms. This could necessitate organizations to share their proprietary application's source code when integrating GPL-licensed components, presenting substantial risks.

Moreover, as open-source software undergoes continuous development and updates, organizations must diligently track license compliance even after the initial integration. Failing to do so can lead to inadvertent non-compliance, potentially subjecting the organization to legal risks long after deployment.

Given the extensive utilization and accelerated adoption of open-source software, organizations must comprehensively assess the risks it introduces, including compliance and legal risks associated with software projects. Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools play a pivotal role by generating insights into the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), a comprehensive inventory of components, including open-source libraries, in an application. SCA tools facilitate proactive management of open-source risk throughout the software development lifecycle. They aid developers in informed decision-making, ensuring licenses align with organizational policies, and enable continuous scanning and monitoring to promptly identify and address vulnerabilities or licensing issues.

Collaborating with experts such as Help AG, an e& enterprise company empowers businesses to gain a holistic understanding of their software applications and the accompanying risks. Offering Open Risk Assessments, Secure Code Reviews, Vulnerability and Penetration Testing, and guidance in DevSecOps development, Help AG, an e& enterprise company equips customers with the confidence and knowledge to effectively manage open-source risks. Our experienced professionals provide tailored solutions, ensuring businesses possess the necessary tools and expertise to navigate the intricate landscape of Application Security.

When you’re ready to start your journey to Secure Cloud, we at Help AG, an e& enterprise company have a team of experts as well as the right solutions to empower you on your journey to Secure Cloud