Software supply chains extend beyond third-party libraries. Build systems, deployment pipelines, artifact repositories, and development tools all contribute to software supply chains. Each component creates security risks.
Build system compromise enables widespread attacks. Attackers who control build infrastructure can inject malicious code into every software release. SolarWinds demonstrated this threat’s severity, but countless organisations remain vulnerable.
Artifact repository security protects software distribution. Whether internal artifact servers or public package managers, these repositories distribute code to development teams and production systems. Compromised repositories distribute malware at scale.
Code signing provides tamper detection. Digitally signing build artifacts creates verifiable proof of authenticity. Users and systems can verify signatures, detecting unauthorised modifications. However, key management and revocation remain challenging. Professional vulnerability scanning services should include scanning of build and deployment infrastructure.
Container image security matters for modern applications. Base images from public registries might contain vulnerabilities or malware. Image scanning, using trusted registries, and rebuilding images regularly all contribute to container supply chain security.
William Fieldhouse, Director of Aardwolf Security Ltd, explains: “Supply chain security requires end-to-end verification. From source code through build, test, and deployment, organisations need confidence that no tampering occurred. This demands both security controls and transparency into the entire pipeline.”
Software bill of materials provides transparency. SBOMs document every component in software releases. When vulnerabilities emerge, SBOMs enable rapid determination of exposure. Generating and maintaining accurate SBOMs requires tooling and processes.
Development environment security protects developer workstations and tools. Compromised development systems enable attackers to inject malicious code before it enters the build pipeline. Endpoint protection, network segmentation, and access controls all protect development environments.
Secrets in code repositories create numerous supply chain risks. Credentials committed to repositories enable unauthorised access. Secret scanning tools identify committed secrets, but prevention works better than detection.
Reproducible builds enable verification. If builds are reproducible, anyone can rebuild software from source and verify the output matches official releases. Non-reproducible builds make detecting tampering nearly impossible.
Dependency confusion attacks exploit package manager behaviour. Attackers publish packages with names matching internal packages. Package managers sometimes pull public packages instead of intended internal ones. Name reservations and careful repository configuration prevent these attacks. When you request a penetration test quote , ask about supply chain security assessment capabilities.
Continuous monitoring of dependencies detects newly disclosed vulnerabilities. Dependency versions that were safe yesterday might have critical vulnerabilities disclosed today. Automated monitoring and alerting enable rapid response to supply chain threats.
