Understanding and defending against the dangers of using open-source software

The adoption of open-source code has become widespread across various industries. Organisations often turn to open-source solutions for their cost-effectiveness and the collaborative nature of their development. However, the use of open-source code carries inherent risks—including the unknown provenance of the code, the potential for vulnerabilities, and the lack of regular maintenance—that businesses need to be aware of before they can take steps to minimise their risk profile.

One of the primary concerns with open-source code is its authorship. Many open-source projects are contributed to by numerous developers, some of whom may remain anonymous. This anonymity can make it challenging to verify the trustworthiness of the contributors and malicious threat actors may insert harmful code into these projects, which can be inadvertently incorporated into an organisation's systems. This can lead to significant security breaches, compromising sensitive data and critical infrastructure. Unfortunately, this is just one risk that open-source code presents to modern businesses that must be defended against.

The maintenance of open-source projects also presents a significant challenge. While some projects are well-maintained and frequently updated, others may become neglected, leaving known vulnerabilities unpatched and providing an easy target for attackers. Organisations relying on such code may find themselves exposed to these security gaps without even realising it.

Open-source software is also at risk of complex dependencies, such as a reliance on other libraries and frameworks, which can expose businesses to vulnerabilities that can cascade through the system and create a broader attack surface. This interdependence complicates security efforts and makes it difficult to track and manage all potential vulnerabilities.

Businesses should adopt a multi-faceted approach to security to mitigate these risks. Importantly, they must establish thorough vetting processes for any open-source code used within the organisation, including conducting code reviews and using tools to scan for vulnerabilities before integrating the code into production systems. Regular audits should also be performed to ensure ongoing security.

Central to this approach should be encouraging a culture of security within the organisation where employees are carefully educated about the risks of open-source code and trained in best practices for secure coding and code review. People can be both the weakest link and strongest defence against cybersecurity. They can unconsciously introduce threats and vulnerabilities to a network by downloading or engaging with open-source software and other tools through shadow IT—when employees use IT-related software or hardware without approval or oversight—so it's critical that they are informed of the risks and warned against going outside of clear IT processes. Organisations can better protect themselves against potential threats by raising awareness and promoting a security-first mindset.

However, employee education is just one piece of the cybersecurity puzzle when it comes to open-source software. Organisations must also consider employing dedicated security solutions that specialise in monitoring and protecting open-source code for continuous scanning for new vulnerabilities and access to remediation advice. This lets businesses stay ahead of potential threats and ensure that their open-source components remain secure.

A comprehensive cybersecurity strategy should include keeping all software and open-source components up to date, as well as regularly applying patches and updates to mitigate many of the risks associated with known vulnerabilities. Automated tools can help manage this process, ensuring that updates are applied promptly and consistently.  

Organisations should also consider implementing isolation techniques, such as containerisation, to limit the potential impact of any compromised open-source code. By isolating different components and services using this method, businesses can contain breaches and prevent them from spreading throughout the network.  

Maintaining a robust incident response plan is essential. Security incidents can still occur despite best efforts, and having a well-defined plan in place ensures that the organisation can respond quickly and effectively to minimise damage. This plan should include clear procedures for identifying, containing, and remediating security breaches.  

Partnering with trusted security experts can also enhance an organisation's defence against the risks associated with open-source code. These partners can offer insights into the latest threats and provide advanced security solutions tailored to the organisation's specific needs. They can also assist in developing robust security policies and procedures, ensuring that open-source code is used safely and effectively.