OWASP Dependency-Check
A Software Composition Analysis tool that identifies and manages vulnerabilities in project dependencies by analyzing them against publicly disclosed vulnerabilities.
| Category | Vulnerability Management |
|---|---|
| Last Commit | 1 year ago |
| This page updated | a month ago |
| Pricing Details | Free and open-source. |
| Target Audience | Developers and security teams managing software dependencies. |
OWASP Dependency-Check is designed for identifying and managing vulnerabilities in project dependencies, a issue highlighted in the OWASP Top 10 as "Vulnerable and Outdated Components." This Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool operates by analyzing a project's dependencies to detect publicly disclosed vulnerabilities.
The technical architecture of Dependency-Check revolves around its core engine, which uses a series of analyzers to inspect project dependencies. These analyzers collect evidence about the dependencies and match them against Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) identifiers. If a CPE is identified, the tool cross-references it with the National Vulnerability Database (NVD) to list associated Common Vulnerability and Exposure (CVE) entries in a report.
Dependency-Check can be integrated into various development environments through plugins for Maven, Gradle, Ant, Jenkins, and SBT. For example, the Maven plugin can be configured to run during the verify phase or invoked directly via mvn org.owasp:dependency-check-maven:check. The tool also supports command-line usage, allowing developers to scan projects and generate reports immediately without waiting for CI/CD pipelines to run.
Operational considerations include the initial download of NVD data, which can take up to ten minutes but is updated efficiently thereafter if the tool is run at least once every seven days. The tool can also be configured to fail the build if vulnerabilities with a certain CVSS score are detected, and it allows for skipping certain scopes (e.g., provided scope) to focus on relevant dependencies.
From a technical standpoint, Dependency-Check relies on the NVD API for vulnerability data but is not endorsed or certified by NVD. The tool's flexibility in integration and its ability to provide immediate feedback make it a valuable asset in managing the security of project dependencies. However, it may produce false positives or negatives, especially with experimental analyzers, which need to be carefully managed.