Vulnerability scanners can be open-sourced, close-sourced, or a combination of both. Open-source components of applications and networks are often considered more vulnerable because it is harder to keep track of code that is constantly evolving and available to everyone.
In this article, we will share our picks for the top five open-source security scanners that can help you scan and remediate your network’s vulnerabilities.
1. Snyk
Snyk is an open-source security scanner that analyzes your code to detect security vulnerabilities, rates their severity, and recommends corrections. The service helps developers maintain a high level of security and regulatory compliance.
Snyk is also compatible with many programming languages, and its design fits in with the developer’s process, causing no disruptions. Vulcan can prioritize and fix vulnerabilities in open-source libraries and containers discovered by Snyk.
2. Black Duck
Black Duck is an open-source security scanner that provides visibility to developers of the open-source risks of their applications and containers. This security solution combines its powerful scanning features with the industry’s vulnerability database to detect code-quality risks, compliance issues, and open-source security threats.
Using Black Duck, developers can automate build scans on their CI pipelines and get alerts on any violations or vulnerabilities in their open-source code. Vulcan integrates with Black Duck to prioritize and fix security findings across open-source components.
3. Mend
Mend (formerly WhiteSource) detects and identifies open-source components in a developer’s build by cross-referencing findings against its database. After completing that task, the solution provides a report containing any issues detected. Generated remediation suggestions feature custom pull requests for each line of code, enabling developers to correct security issues immediately.
This powerful open-source security vulnerability scanner offers broad support for several programming languages and seamlessly integrates with the DevOps environment. Paired with Mend, Vulcan can fix security findings across open-source components.
4. Nmap
Nmap (Network Mapper) is a free, open-source network security scanner for port scanning and network mapping. This tool scans the network to which a device connects and summarizes all ports, operating systems, and other identifiers to help users get an overview of the connection status and potential vulnerabilities.
Nmap can also identify running versions of applications and operating systems to aid the creation of effective penetration testing strategies. Upon detection of vulnerabilities, Vulcan can help you prioritize and remediate them.
5. Anchore
Anchore provides two open-source security scanner tools (Syft and Grype) to help developers detect container vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with industry standards. Syft analyzes filesystems and container images and creates a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), enabling businesses to inspect software contents before using them.
Meanwhile, Grype works as a vulnerability scanner for container images and filesystems, cross-referencing contents against Anchor’s vulnerability database. Using Vulcan, it’s easy to remediate the vulnerabilities detected.
While the multitude of open-source security scanners out there are cost-effective and efficient, it is essential to note that some of these tools may not be as thorough as commercial tools in detecting vulnerabilities.
Regardless of the type of vulnerability assessment your organization chooses, Vulcan can help you take the next steps by helping your team prioritize and remediate the risks detected by these tools. Learn more by contacting one of our team members today, or see Vulcan in action with a free trial.
