Clair

Clair is designed to identify vulnerabilities in containerized applications by performing static analysis on container images. The technical architecture of Clair involves periodic ingestion of vulnerability metadata from configured sources, which is stored in a database. Clients interact with Clair through its API to index container images, creating a list of features present in the image. This indexing allows for efficient correlation of vulnerabilities with the image's features without the need for repeated scans of the images themselves.

In operation, Clair uses a database backend, typically PostgreSQL, to store and manage the vulnerability data and image features. The API enables clients to query the database for vulnerabilities associated with specific images, and notifications can be sent when updates to vulnerability metadata occur. This approach ensures real-time visibility into the security posture of container-based infrastructure.

From an operational standpoint, Clair can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines using tools like GitHub Actions, as seen in the clair-action repository. This integration allows for automated vulnerability scanning of container images during the build process. However, it is crucial to manage the database efficiently, as the volume of data and query load can impact performance. Additionally, securing Clair itself is important, and configurations like running Clair behind a JWT proxy can enhance security in enterprise environments.

Technically, Clair's performance can be influenced by the frequency of vulnerability metadata updates and the number of images being indexed. The use of protocol buffers for API communication and gRPC services helps in maintaining efficient data exchange. However, careful management of the database and ensuring the stability of the Clair instance, especially when using the main branch during development, are essential to avoid performance degradation.