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Software supply chain security is critical for any organization using open-source components and third-party libraries.

The Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) provides a complete inventory of all software components, libraries, and dependencies within an application. This detailed view helps manage security risks and ensures compliance with industry regulations.

This article explains the concept of SBOMs and their role in enhancing software security and facilitating audits. It also offers practical guidance on generating an SBOM that meets compliance audit requirements, helping your organization manage the modern software supply chain's complexities.

What is an SBOM?

An SBOM is a detailed list of all components, libraries, and dependencies that make up a software application. It includes:

• Component names and versions
• Licenses and copyright information
• Dependency relationships
• Build and deployment details

An SBOM allows organizations to:

• Identify potential security vulnerabilities
• Assess the impact of known vulnerabilities
• Ensure compliance with licensing requirements
• Simplify the process of updating and patching components

SBOMs have gained traction as government agencies and industry leaders recognize their importance in securing the software supply chain. The U.S. government, for example, mandates SBOM inclusion for software sold to the public sector. And in Europe, multiple directives are mandating the SBOM. (NIS2, Cyber Resilience Act...)

How SBOMs Enhance Software Security

With increasing cyber threats, SBOMs help manage security risks by providing transparency into software composition. They allow organizations to:

• Identify vulnerabilities: Quickly pinpoint known vulnerabilities and assess their impact on software.
• Prioritize remediation efforts: Allocate resources effectively based on vulnerability criticality and prevalence.
• Streamline patch management: Simplify identifying and applying patches to vulnerable components.
• Facilitate collaboration: Serve as a common language for developers, security professionals, and compliance officers.

Generating an accurate SBOM is key to these benefits. Automated SBOM generation tools, like those offered by Aikido, simplify the creation process and ensure accuracy.

How to Generate an SBOM for an Audit

Creating an audit-ready SBOM requires a methodical approach to compliance with industry standards. Begin by listing all software components, including proprietary code, open-source libraries, and third-party dependencies.

Step 1: Identify Components

Start by listing every component within your software. Use SBOM generation tools to document all elements, including:

• Open Source Elements: Document extensively to track licenses and updates.
• Custom Components: Include internally developed code and proprietary libraries.
• External Dependencies: Document all external libraries and tools, noting versions and updates.

Step 2: Document Licenses

After identifying components, record the licenses associated with each element. Scan open-source licenses to ensure compliance:

• Clear Licensing Details: Document each component's license to prevent legal issues.
• Policy Adherence: Verify that licenses align with organizational policies.
• Ongoing Updates: Keep records current with any changes in license terms.

Step 3: Format the SBOM

Proper formatting is essential for readability and compliance. Choose an industry-recognized format like SPDX or CycloneDX:

• Automated Compatibility: Facilitate processing by automated systems.
• Standardization: Provide a consistent framework for analysis and comparison.
• Workflow Integration: Enable seamless incorporation into workflows and audit processes.

Step 4: Validate the SBOM

Continuous validation ensures the SBOM reflects your software's true state. Regularly cross-reference with vulnerability databases:

• Regular Audits: Identify new vulnerabilities and component changes.
• Database Verification: Confirm all issues and components are accounted for.
• Assurance of Accuracy: Periodically review to verify completeness.

Step 5: Automate the Process

Integrate automated SBOM generation into your CI/CD pipelines to maintain accuracy with minimal manual effort:

• Real-Time Synchronization: Continuously update SBOMs with each development cycle.
• Efficiency Gains: Minimize effort required to ensure compliance.
• Reliability and Consistency: Guarantee each deployment includes a precise SBOM.

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Following these structured steps helps manage your software's security and compliance, ensuring audit readiness. By automating and adhering to best practices, you can make your SBOM process a strategic asset that enhances security and streamlines compliance. Start generating SBOMs for free with Aikido, and keep your focus on building.

So, you’re looking for SAST and DAST. Or, you’re looking to understand what SAST and DAST tools are: What are the key differences? How do you use them together? Do you need them?

You’re in the right place. Let’s dive in.

But first, the TL;DR:

• TL;DR: SAST checks your code for vulnerabilities before your app runs, while DAST tests your app while it’s running to find issues that pop up in real time.
• SAST is like an expert dev reviewing your code, DAST is like a hacker trying to break in.
• Using both together helps catch security problems from start to deployment, and ensures your app is safe.
• Shameless plug 😇 - if you’re looking for SAST & DAST, check us out. Get your SAST & DAST covered, so you can get back to building.
  

SAST & DAST: What you need to know

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) are two essential methods in application security that help identify vulnerabilities in software.

What is SAST?

SAST, or Static Application Security Testing, is a testing method that analyzes an application's source code in a static or non-running state. It is a “white-box” testing technique.

SAST allows developers to identify vulnerabilities early in the development (SDLC) process, like code development or code review phases. SAST tools are easy to integrate into CI/CD pipelines and IDEs, so you can secure your code as it's written and scan your code before committing changes to the repository.

SAST can detect vulnerabilities like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), hard-coded credentials, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities. SAST tools, like Aikido SAST, scan and compare your code to databases of known security vulnerabilities like the National Vulnerability Database (NVD).

Think of it like this, SAST is like having an expert review your code with a fine tooth comb, who gives you immediate feedback on issues they discover.

That being said, SAST is limited and cannot be used to detect runtime or environment specific vulnerabilities, like configuration errors or runtime dependencies. Scanning code requires that you choose a SAST tool that supports your programming language.

Why does SAST matter?

This early detection is crucial as it allows developers to address issues before the application is deployed, making it easier and less costly to fix problems early. SAST is proactive security, it can save a lot of time - and headache - for the future.

What is DAST?

DAST, or Dynamic Application Security Testing, is a testing method that evaluates an application while it is running.

While SAST sees inside your source code, DAST does not require source code access. Instead,  DAST takes an outsider approach to testing your applications security.

DAST simulates attacks on the application much like a hacker would. It is a “black-box” technique.

DAST can also be called “surface monitoring” as it tests the surface or front-end of the web app. DAST tools interact with the application via the user interface, testing various inputs and observing the outputs to identify vulnerabilities such as authentication issues, server misconfigurations, and other runtime vulnerabilities. As DAST works at runtime, that means you need a working application before DAST tests make sense, which is usually around the pre-production and production phase.

Because DAST works externally - and uses standardized protocols like HTTP to connect to your app - DAST is not tied to a specific programming language, unlike SAST.

Why does DAST matter?

This method is important for detecting issues that you cannot detect before deployment. DAST covers you for different categories of errors. DAST identifies risks that come up when the application is up and running, like server or database misconfigurations, authentication and encryption issues that allow unauthorized access, or risks from web services that your application connects to.

Using SAST and DAST Together

Using SAST and DAST together is recommended. Combining SAST and DAST gives you broad coverage across the software development lifecycle. Cover yourself early with SAST and ensure you have real-world resilience later with DAST. This combination allows teams to address vulnerabilities at multiple stages and ultimately leads to more secure applications.

Cheatsheet: SAST vs DAST

Testing Approach:

• SAST: White-box (inside-out) testing. It does not require a running application, working “like an expert developer.”
• DAST: Black-box (outside-in) testing. It requires a running application, testing “like a hacker.”

Access to Code:

• SAST: Requires access to the source code.
• DAST: No access to the source code is required.

When to Use in Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC):

• SAST: Used early in the SDLC. Integrate into your CI/CD and IDE to secure code as it is written.
• DAST: Used later in the SDLC, starting in the pre-production and production phase.

Type of Vulnerabilities Detected:

• SAST: Detects security issues in source code, such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and hard-coded credentials.
• DAST: Detects runtime and environment-related vulnerabilities, such as misconfigurations.

Key Advantages:

• SAST: Identifies vulnerabilities early, allowing for easier remediation that saves time and money.
• DAST: Tests application behavior as a real attacker would, covering a broader attack surface, catching different categories of errors (like configuration issues), and producing low false positives.

Key Limitations:

• SAST: Language and platform-dependent, may produce false positives, and cannot discover runtime or environment-related issues.
• DAST: Cannot pinpoint the exact source of vulnerabilities, requires a running application, and vulnerabilities are more expensive to fix at this stage.

Popular Open Source Tools:

• SAST: Semgrep, Bandit, Gosec.
• DAST: ZAP, Nuclei.
  

Keeping track of all the parts in an application is no easy task. Developers often use open-source libraries, frameworks, and dependencies, which makes it harder to ensure software is secure and reliable.

A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) helps by listing every component in an application. This inventory lets organizations manage risks, stay compliant, and improve cybersecurity.

As SBOMs become more important, tools that make creating and managing them easier are in high demand. This article looks at SBOM tools, their key features, benefits, and the top options available today.

Understanding SBOMs and Developer Needs

An SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) is a list of everything inside a piece of software—libraries, frameworks, dependencies, versions, and metadata. It helps developers, security teams, and companies keep track of what’s in their code.

Manually tracking dependencies is a nightmare, especially in large projects. SBOM tools automate this by scanning code, identifying components, and keeping inventories up to date.

They also flag vulnerabilities and licensing risks by checking against known databases. With regulations like the 2021 Biden executive order requiring SBOMs for federal software, having the right tool ensures compliance and makes security audits easier.

Key Features of Top SBOM Tools

When choosing SBOM tools, focus on those that support standard formats like OWASP CycloneDX and SWID tags. These formats ensure compatibility, simplify data sharing, and help meet regulatory requirements while improving collaboration with partners. Consider these aspects when selecting your SBOM tool:

• Integration in your stack: The tool should work effortlessly with your CI/CD pipelines and build systems. This allows automatic SBOM generation during development, keeping them up-to-date with the latest code changes and reducing manual effort.
• Dependency Visibility: A good SBOM tool provides clear insights into complex dependency chains and transitive relationships. This helps developers understand potential vulnerabilities and manage updates across all dependencies.
• Risk and Compliance Insights: Look for tools that integrate with vulnerability and license databases. This ensures timely risk assessments, prioritizes remediation efforts, and helps maintain legal compliance.
• User-Friendly Interface: A simple, intuitive interface is essential. Features like comparison, editing, and merging make collaboration easier and help developers quickly access the information they need to secure software.

In general, choose a tool that simplifies your workflow, enhances security, and keeps your software compliant.

Best Open Source and Free SBOM Generators

Open-source SBOM tools offer a cost-effective way to manage software components while ensuring transparency and community-driven enhancements. These tools are valuable for organizations prioritizing open-source solutions and leveraging community contributions for continuous improvement.

1. Syft by Anchore

Syft, developed by Anchore, serves as a versatile command-line interface (CLI) tool that extracts SBOMs from container images and filesystems. Its adaptability across OCI, Docker, and Singularity formats makes it an ideal choice for diverse container ecosystems. By producing SBOMs in CycloneDX, SPDX, and its proprietary format, Syft aligns with industry standards, catering to developers and security teams.

Syft integrates effortlessly into existing development workflows, offering a streamlined inventory management solution. It caters specifically to modern containerized environments, enabling comprehensive tracking of software components from development through deployment and ensuring a consistent view of application dependencies.

2. Trivy

Trivy by Aqua Security is a powerful open-source scanner designed for security and compliance. It detects vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and exposed secrets across container images, filesystems, and code repositories. Supporting multiple languages and package managers, Trivy seamlessly integrates into CI/CD pipelines, enabling automated security checks throughout development.

As a GitHub-hosted project, Trivy benefits from continuous community contributions, evolving to meet modern security challenges. Its support for SBOM generation in SPDX and CycloneDX formats enhances transparency and compliance, making it an essential tool for organizations prioritizing software security and open-source best practices.

Top Commercial and Enterprise SBOM Tools

Exploring enterprise SBOM tools reveals solutions crafted for comprehensive software oversight, offering features beyond component enumeration. These tools integrate seamlessly into enterprise environments, providing enhanced oversight, compliance, and operational agility.

3. Aikido Security

Aikido Security excels by delivering detailed insights into direct and indirect software dependencies, detecting subtle risks within software packages. Its in-depth license analyses within container environments provide organizations with a thorough understanding of compliance challenges.

Aikido’s advanced analytical models translate legal terms into actionable insights, simplifying risk management. This approach empowers security teams to prioritize actions efficiently, ensuring a proactive stance in mitigating potential threats.

4. FOSSA

FOSSA automates SBOM creation through deep integration with version control systems and development pipelines, streamlining operations for development teams. It provides comprehensive visibility into software components, mapping dependencies to licenses and vulnerabilities, supporting robust security practices.

The tool enhances compliance and security by delivering insights into open-source license requirements and vulnerabilities. This capability allows organizations to manage risks proactively, ensuring issues are addressed before escalating into production environments.

5. Anchore Enterprise

Anchore Enterprise offers a holistic framework for managing SBOMs, embedding itself as a foundational element within software supply chain security strategies. It encompasses the entire lifecycle of SBOMs, from creation to post-deployment monitoring, ensuring continuous oversight and security.

Supporting diverse formats, Anchore Enterprise employs advanced scanning tools to detect vulnerabilities, providing a comprehensive solution for managing software risks. This capability enables enterprises to maintain a secure and compliant software environment, safeguarding operational integrity.

6. Mend

Mend weaves SBOM generation into its comprehensive software analysis suite, providing dual capabilities in tracking components and managing vulnerabilities. By offering insights into open-source licenses and vulnerabilities, Mend facilitates thorough risk evaluation, ensuring software quality and compliance.

The tool delivers remediation strategies and updates SBOMs dynamically, aligning security measures with ongoing development activities. This approach supports agile operations, allowing organizations to swiftly adapt to emerging threats and maintain a resilient software supply chain.

Choosing the Right SBOM Tool

Take these aspects into account to select the right SBOM solution for your stack:

• Start with your stack: Choose an SBOM tool that fits your development and deployment processes. Look for tools that integrate seamlessly with your existing build systems and automation frameworks to keep SBOMs updated automatically.
• Know your requirements: Understand the SBOM formats required for your industry or regulations. Pick tools that support standardized formats to ensure compliance and smooth collaboration across your software supply chain. -
• Focus on risk management: Select tools that offer clear, detailed reports on vulnerabilities and licensing issues. A user-friendly interface makes it easier for teams to address risks quickly and maintain security.
• Think scalability: If you manage a large software portfolio, choose tools that can handle high volumes of components without slowing down. Scalable tools ensure reliable oversight as your development grows.
• Weigh open-source vs. commercial options: Open-source tools are cost-effective and flexible, while commercial solutions often provide advanced features, better support, and stronger integrations. Match the tool to your organization’s needs for both short-term goals and long-term growth.

Adopting an SBOM tool early helps you avoid compliance issues and keeps track of risky OSS licenses your team might use. Start protecting your software now—try Aikido for free to get a clear view of your licenses and automate SBOM management.

Snyk is widely recognized as one of the top security tools for developers, especially when it comes to finding vulnerabilities in open-source code, containers, and infrastructure as code. However, no tool is perfect for every scenario and access to the Snyk platform comes with a price tag. Depending on your needs, there may be Snyk alternatives that provide better integration, features, or just better value for money.

Here, we'll look at 5 Snyk alternatives and why they might be a better fit for your organization.

1. Aikido Security

• Why It’s Better: all-in-one appsec
• Overview: Aikido integrates open-source scanners into a 10-in-1 vulnerability management platform, delivering exceptional value with affordable pricing tiers.
• Advantages:
  • Strong focus on noise reduction
  • 10-in-1 vulnerability scanners
  • Continuous scanning throughout the entire development lifecycle
  • In-depth policy enforcement capabilities
• Why It Might Be Better than Snyk:
  • While Snyk provides a good base of powerful security scanners, Aikido is superior for organizations that need all-around vulnerability protection, license tracking, and compliance features, especially in highly regulated industries - and all that affordably priced.

2. Dependabot

• Why It’s Better: Seamless Integration with GitHub
• Overview: Acquired by GitHub, Dependabot offers automatic dependency updates for your projects. It continuously monitors your dependencies for vulnerabilities and automatically generates pull requests with updates.
• Advantages:
  • Native integration with GitHub repositories
  • Automated pull requests and patches with minimal configuration
  • Simple, lightweight, and easy to use
  • Free for public and private repositories on GitHub
• Why It Might Be Better:
  • If your codebase is hosted on GitHub, Dependabot’s native integration makes it a natural choice. It’s also fully automated, which means less manual work compared to Snyk’s more interactive approach.

3. SonarQube

• Why It’s Better: Code Quality Meets Security
• Overview: SonarQube is a code quality and security tool that scans codebases for both code smells and security vulnerabilities, making it a great option for developers looking for a tool that blends security with code health.
• Advantages:
  • Combines code quality checks with security scanning
  • Broad language support and community-driven plugins
  • Integrates with popular CI/CD tools and DevOps pipelines
  • Detailed reports on both technical debt and vulnerabilities
• Why It Might Be Better:
  • Suppose you are looking for a tool that goes beyond just security vulnerabilities and provides insights into code quality. In that case, SonarQube’s ability to highlight maintainability and performance issues is a big plus.

4. Clair

• Why It’s Better: Container Security Focus
• Overview: Clair is an open-source vulnerability scanner primarily focused on Docker and OCI container images. It integrates directly into your container pipelines, analyzing vulnerabilities in images.
• Advantages:
  • Strong focus on container security, especially for Kubernetes environments
  • Seamless integration with container registries like Docker Hub and Quay.io
  • Open-source, allowing for customization and integration with other tools
  • Continuous scanning for known vulnerabilities
• Why It Might Be Better:
  • While Snyk covers container security, Clair’s exclusive focus on containers allows it to offer a more fine-tuned and granular approach. For organizations deeply invested in containerized environments, Clair may provide better visibility and customization options.

5. Aqua Security

• Why It’s Better: End-to-End Cloud Native Security
• Overview: Aqua Security provides a holistic solution for securing containers, serverless functions, and other cloud-native applications. It covers a wide range of security needs, from image scanning to runtime protection.
• Advantages:
  • End-to-end security solution for containers, serverless, and Kubernetes
  • Strong runtime protection capabilities
  • Real-time threat detection and anomaly monitoring
  • Integrates with CI/CD pipelines and multiple cloud platforms
• Why It Might Be Better:
  • Aqua’s depth in cloud-native security, especially its real-time threat detection and runtime protection, makes it a more powerful solution for cloud-native environments compared to Snyk, which is more focused on scanning and remediation during the development phase.

Conclusion

Snyk is a powerful tool, but these alternatives may offer better solutions depending on your specific needs. Aikido provides superior value for money with an all-in-one platform, Dependabot excels at GitHub integration and automation, SonarQube enhances code quality while ensuring security, Clair specializes in container security, and Aqua Security delivers comprehensive cloud-native security. Ultimately, the best tool for your organization will depend on your existing workflows, the complexity of your infrastructure, and the specific challenges you’re trying to solve.

We’re stoked to announce our new partnership with Laravel, the PHP framework for web developers artisans.

TL;DR Laravel helps PHP developers create their best work, now Aikido helps to secure it. 🤝

Laravel is a premier PHP framework and loved by hundreds of thousands of developers worldwide. In fact over 30% of our Aikido user base already leverages Laravel.

As of today, we are Laravel’s preferred AppSec provider. Developers building with Laravel can directly secure their new or existing Forge apps within a few clicks – powered by Aikido.

This integration is designed to help PHP developers get security done. Laravel users get an instant overview of all code and cloud security issues - aggressively auto-triaged - to see what matters and how to fix it. So they can get back to building.

Secure your PHP apps from Day 0

Laravel equips PHP developers with the most advanced tools to create exceptional applications. Laravel does so via a growing suite of standout products like Forge, their premier service to help PHP developers manage servers for their applications. Forge powers over 600k PHP applications.

When it comes to creating exceptional applications, building them is just one part. Keeping them safe is another.

Until now.

From within the Forge UI, developers new to Aikido can set up a workspace and connect their repositories. Once connected, users receive auto-triaged and prioritized security issues, complete with estimated resolution time and full context, across all their PHP applications. Right where they manage them in Forge.

Due to our signature auto-triaging (delivering 85% less false positives!) developers will see what really matters and step-by-step guidance to fix critical issues fast.

All-you-can-eat AppSec for PHP devs

We know, security can suck. And it only gets harder as you grow. Increasing regulatory pressure, new compliance schemes, tedious security questionnaires from upmarket customers, … the list goes on.

Sooo we think this is a pretty big deal— if you’re building a new Laravel app today, you’ll have AppSec sorted asap. If you already have Laravel apps in production, your path to solving critical security vulnerabilities goes from hours or days to minutes.

In the long run, 600k+ devs using Forge will have continuous AppSec at their back. Starting with instant feedback on any new security issue introduced via pull request to malware scanning, and more. They can add additional cloud providers, containers, and domains to fully take advantage of our ‘all you can eat’ security.

Laravel developers can also leverage the new integration to breeze through the increasing regulations and compliance requirements coming their way; By making use of ready-to-go compliance reports and automating technical controls to achieve SOC2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and more.

How does the Aikido-Laravel integration work?

• When inside Forge, hop over to “Account Settings” or a Forge site. Here you can find the new Aikido integration in the sidebar;
• From there, click the Connect Aikido Workspace button;
• We'll ask you to create an Aikido account for free. Or log into your existing account through GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and other Git providers;
• Give Aikido authorization to the repositories relevant to this site and production environment. And we will get to work with our famously fast scanning;
• You’ll get your first results in less than 60 seconds. ⚡

You can then head back into Forge to see which issues Aikido has found — complete with prioritization based on the impact on your app and the severity of the vulnerability itself, and more.

From there, you can always click the Go to Aikido button from any site, or your account preferences, to access all your new Aikido workspaces.

For complete details on how it works, check out the docs.

More of a visual learner? Check out this video walkthrough straight from the folks at Laravel.

What’s next?

We’re stoked to join forces with Laravel and the talented folks behind it. Together, developers can spend less time sweating security, and more time building exceptional applications. Definitely check out Forge, if you haven’t already.

You can connect your Laravel and Aikido accounts starting today. Once you’ve solved your first critical vulnerability, let us know on LinkedIn or X how we could make your AppSec experience even simpler and speedier.

A critical exploit just hit the scene, targeting cdn.polyfill.io, a popular domain for polyfills. Over 110,000 websites have been compromised by this supply chain attack, which embeds malware into JavaScript assets.

TL;DR

If your website uses http://polyfill.io/, remove it IMMEDIATELY.

Who does this supply chain attack affect?

The cdn.polyfill.io domain has been hijacked to serve malicious scripts. This means any site relying on this domain for polyfills—a method of adding new functionality to older browsers, like modern JavaScript functions—is at risk. Security researchers at Sansec were the first to identify the many instances of malware payloads, which included redirecting mobile users to a sports betting site,

This supply chain attack can compromise your users' data and the integrity of your applications, and even includes built-in protection against reverse engineering and other clever tricks to prevent you from observing how it affects your end users.

Aikido's Research Team continuously adds new advisories for dependencies which use pollyfill[.]io under the hood, which would leave your applications vulnerable to the supply chain attack. Some notable dependencies include:

• albertcht/invisible-recaptcha (Over 1m installs)
• psgganesh/anchor
• polyfill-io-loader

Since details about the attack were publicly released, Namecheap put the domain name on hold, preventing any requests to the polyfill malware. While that does prevent the spread of malware in the short term, you should still continue with a proper remediation.

How can you fix this vulnerability?

Scan your code now. Aikido’s SAST feature scans your codebase for any instances of cdn.polyfill.io.

Create an Aikido account to get your code scanned

Any findings around this Polyfill supply chain attack will jump to the top, as they have a critical 100 score. Make sure to remove all detected instances of polyfills immediately to prevent yourself and users from this critical supply chain attack.

The good news is that according to the original author, you can likely remove cdn.polyfill.io, or any of the affected dependency packages, without affecting the end-user experience of your application.

No website today requires any of the polyfills in the http://polyfill.io library. Most features added to the web platform are quickly adopted by all major browsers, with some exceptions that generally can't be polyfilled anyway, like Web Serial and Web Bluetooth.

If you do require Polyfill capabilities, you can tap into recently-deployed alternatives from Fastly or Cloudflare.