Software Supply Chain Vulnerability Protection 101

According to a Data Theorem report, 91% of organizations faced a software supply chain attack in 2023.

A supply chain attack occurs when cybercriminals infiltrate any element that “supplies” your software factory, from code inception to deployment. Attackers target everything from third-party code to development tools to reveal sensitive secrets, take advantage of vulnerabilities, and continue the spread of malicious code.

With the right focus on full software supply chain vulnerability protection, you can put the right measures in place to mitigate risk.

What Is Software Supply Chain Security?

Let’s start with the software supply chain itself, which refers to everything that touches an application or aids in creation throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This includes everything from third-party code and libraries to the pathways and pipelines through which code travels before becoming a finished product.

Software supply chain security refers to the process of identifying and preventing vulnerabilities throughout the software factory. It targets the risks and issues that could impact software applications from development to production.

Common Software Supply Chain Risks

Whether leveraging external libraries or developing your own source code, it’s impossible to avoid vulnerabilities. But the better you understand common software supply chain risks, the better you can safeguard the entire software factory.

Some common risks to mitigate include:

Build System Vulnerabilities

Build systems convert source code into computer-readable binary—key to software outputs that execute correctly. But build systems can have vulnerabilities and misconfigurations of their own. Attackers can use these insecurities to compromise proprietary code, inject malicious snippets, and steal data.

Third-Party Source Code and Library Flaws

Most developers save time or enhance functionality with third-party libraries, modules, or frameworks. Developers need to be thoughtful about what code they’re introducing, and security needs to make sure the proper guardrails are in place and leverage tools like software composition analysis.

Libraries are often integrated into applications and services as dependencies. But when a software project relies on a third-party library, it becomes vulnerable to its security flaws. Including the library in an application can compromise the application’s whole system, meaning attackers can quickly gain access and reach the entirety of your software factory.

Insecure Access Controls

Last but not least, a hurdle to a secure software supply chain is insecure access controls (like simple passwords or login methods that don’t require multi-factor authentication). When these controls are vulnerable, unauthorized users can gain access to important systems or components within the supply chain. Cybercriminals can exploit known vulnerabilities, inject malicious code, and ultimately destroy the entire software system.

Software Supply Chain Attack Examples

To better understand what happens during an attack, let’s take a look at some examples.

Log4j

Log4j, an open-source Java logging framework, was home to one of the most impactful vulnerabilities in 2021: Log4Shell. This allows bad actors to inject malicious code into logs and execute that code into larger systems. It was zero-day vulnerability—a flaw in a system that hasn’t been patched. Cybercriminals know about Log4j and can infiltrate it, making it incredibly vulnerable to exploitation.

SolarWinds

SolarWinds is another well-known supply chain vulnerability. This system management tool—utilized for network and infrastructure monitoring—was accessed by a group of cybercriminals known as Nobelium in 2020. Nobelium injected the software with Sunburst malware, which let them access government and private systems. Like Log4j, this was a zero-day vulnerability and still doesn’t have a patch.

How To Prevent Software Supply Chain Attacks: 7 Tips

It’s impossible to be completely invulnerable to cyberattacks. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t measures you can take to protect your systems.

Here are some tips and best practices for a secure software supply chain:

1. Research and monitor suppliers: Before working with a supplier, learn more about its security standards, certifications, and processes to guarantee they meet your requirements. But don’t stop there—monitor suppliers to keep tabs on security controls. Audit its systems and processes regularly, since static monitoring isn’t usually enough.
2. Harden data transfer methods: Sending data to different computers and teams doesn’t have to make you vulnerable. Use encryption, secure protocols, and authentication to safeguard sensitive information during transport. This reduces the likelihood that cybercriminals will intercept communications.
3. Use secrets scanning: Secrets—sensitive passwords, tokens, and keys—are some of the most vulnerable parts of your SDLC. Employ a secrets scanner that can identify secrets across the entire development environment and help you prioritize those to address first.
4. Analyze software composition: Software composition analysis (SCA) automatically tracks open-source components and notes code quality, security, and compliance.
5. Train every team member: Your team is your first line of defense against bad actors. Conduct continuous security training for developers and employees alike to keep them up to speed on best practices and new types of attacks. The more they know, the more they can work to protect your software throughout the supply chain.
6. Implement network monitoring and logging: Logging as much information as possible can help you spot unusual behavior patterns and potential attacks.
7. Get the visibility you need with ASPM: Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) gives you a holistic view of your software factory, from code development to post-release risk. It’s the fastest and easiest way to see everything at a glance and spot security gaps before they become larger threats.

Use Legit Security for Comprehensive ASPM and Supply Chain Vulnerability Protection

If the threat of software supply chain attacks is feeling heavy, let Legit Security take the weight off. We offer a robust platform that safeguards the SDLC against vulnerabilities and cyberattacks. Trace the entire process, ensure secure pipelines, and release software you feel confident about.

Ready to learn more about how Legit Security can arm your business? Request a demo today.