Securing the Backbone: Issue #7: The Open-Source Software Dilemma – Innovation vs. Risk
Eric Gallagher
Securing Software Supply Chains ?? | Sales & Data Analysis | Account Management | Creator of shenanigans | Tennis, Poker, & Excel nerd
Date: March 17, 2025
?? Open Source: The Backbone of Enterprise Software… and an Emerging National Security Concern
The modern enterprise is built on open-source software (OSS). It fuels innovation, agility, and cost savings across industries, including critical infrastructure. But the same technology that enables rapid digital transformation also presents a significant cybersecurity challenge.
Today, 80% of enterprise codebases rely on open-source components, yet many organizations lack visibility into what they are actually running in their environments.
This presents a fundamental question for executive leadership:
? How can organizations continue leveraging open-source innovation while mitigating the risks of third-party vulnerabilities, supply chain attacks, and regulatory non-compliance?
In this issue, we will explore:
? The hidden risks of open-source dependencies and real-world case studies
? How vulnerable libraries can compromise critical infrastructure
? Key risk mitigation strategies that CISOs, CIOs, and security leaders must implement now
Let’s dive in.
?? The Open-Source Security Landscape: Key Risks for Enterprises
For all its advantages, open-source software comes with inherent security and governance challenges that enterprises must address:
1?? Lack of Centralized Security Oversight
- Unlike commercial software, many open-source projects are maintained by small teams or individual contributors with limited resources.
- Security patches and updates are not always prioritized, leaving organizations exposed to known vulnerabilities.
2?? Open-Source Software as an Attack Vector
- Supply chain attacks occur when threat actors compromise popular OSS components, inserting malicious code that is then unknowingly distributed across thousands of organizations.
- Nation-state actors and cybercriminal groups have increasingly targeted OSS projects that are widely used in critical industries.
3?? Lack of Visibility and Inventory Management
- Many organizations do not have a clear inventory of the open-source components they use, making it difficult to assess risks, detect vulnerabilities, and apply necessary patches.
- This lack of transparency is exactly what led to major incidents like Log4Shell, where many enterprises didn’t even realize they were exposed until after attackers had already exploited the flaw.
?? Case Studies: High-Impact Open-Source Vulnerabilities
Below are real-world examples of how open-source vulnerabilities have impacted global enterprises and critical infrastructure sectors.
Log4j (Log4Shell – CVE-2021-44228)
Did you know... vulnerable versions of log4j are STILL being downloaded on a regular basis? Even after organizations have fully remediated log4j, reinfection is possible through human error or CI/CD processes. How are you preventing your developers and your automated CI/CD processes from pulling in vulnerabilities?
OpenSSL (Heartbleed – CVE-2014-0160)
Event-Stream (Malicious Code Injection)
XZ Utils Backdoor (CVE-2024-3094)
What These Incidents Teach Us:
领英推荐
?? Even widely trusted, widely used open-source libraries can be compromised.
?? Threat actors are embedding backdoors into software dependencies that enterprises blindly integrate into their environments.
?? Many organizations lack proactive patch management—delays in remediation leave systems vulnerable for months, sometimes years.
Did you know... organizations can take up to 270 days to remediate vulnerabilities, while known exploits are published in around 7 days? How concerned are you about giving threat actors a 263 day head-start?
?? Executive Strategies for Securing Open-Source Dependencies
For CISOs, CIOs, and security leaders, the challenge is no longer whether to use open-source software, but rather how to manage its risks effectively.
1?? Implement a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) – Know What’s in Your Code
- An SBOM provides transparency into your software stack by listing all open-source dependencies used in your applications.
- Government regulations are now mandating SBOMs—including the U.S. Executive Order 14028 and the EU’s Cyber Resilience Act.
- Without an SBOM, your organization lacks visibility into third-party risk, making it difficult to respond quickly to vulnerabilities like Log4Shell.
2?? Establish Open-Source Governance and Security Controls
- Develop a formal open-source software governance program that enforces security policies for:
? Library selection and approval (front-end your CI/CD pipelines with trusted sources of open-source packages. Not sure how ---> Let's chat! ??)
? Automated vulnerability scanning (integrating real-time monitoring into development pipelines)
? Patch management enforcement (requiring timely updates for all critical dependencies)
3?? Automate Vulnerability Scanning & Patch Management
- Use security tools that provide continuous monitoring and assessment of open-source components for vulnerabilities.
- Enforce security scanning in CI/CD pipelines—vulnerable dependencies should never make it to production.
- Use Automated Remediation Plans and Intelligent Remediation
4?? Enforce Cryptographic Code Signing and Supply Chain Integrity
- Require digital signatures for all open-source software before integration into enterprise environments.
- Implement checksums and cryptographic verification to ensure that software has not been altered or compromised before deployment.
5?? Limit the Use of Unverified or High-Risk Open-Source Libraries
- Stick to well-maintained projects with active security teams that respond to vulnerabilities in a timely manner.
- Regularly audit third-party libraries for abandoned or unmaintained components that could pose security risks.
- Implement a "zero-trust" model for open-source software—obtain your open-source packages from secure build service providers that build packages from source code, so you always know where they originate
?? The Business Imperative: Securing Open-Source Software is a Leadership Responsibility
For critical infrastructure organizations, the security of open-source software isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a business risk and national security concern.
?? Unchecked open-source vulnerabilities can lead to breaches, operational disruptions, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.
?? Security leaders must proactively manage open-source risks, integrate security at every stage of development, and establish governance frameworks that align with regulatory requirements.
?? Call to Action: Are You Managing Your Open-Source Risks Effectively?
- Does your organization have a clear inventory of open-source components?
- How quickly does your team respond to a newly disclosed vulnerability?
- Are you enforcing governance policies to mitigate risks before they escalate?
Let’s continue the conversation—reply with your thoughts or share this article with a colleague!
See you next week,
EPG