Four Common CI/CD Pipeline Vulnerabilities

The continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline represents the steps new software goes through before release. However, it can contain numerous vulnerabilities for hackers to exploit.

1. Vulnerabilities in the Code

Many software releases get completed on such tight time frames that developers don’t have enough time to ensure the code is secure. Company leaders know frequent software updates tend to keep customers happy and can give people the impression that a business is on the cutting edge of technology. However, rushing new releases can have disastrous consequences that give hackers easy entry for wreaking havoc.

One 2022 study of 400 U.S.-based developers found they only fix 32% of known vulnerabilities in their code. Additionally, 42% of the participants said they push vulnerable code once a month.

The best way to address these issues is for security to be prioritized at an organizational level. When developers have enough time to find and fix known vulnerabilities, the associated releases will be more secure for customers.

2. Insufficient Identity and Access Management

Identity and access management (IAM) in the CI/CD pipeline defines who has access, what they can access, and what they can do once inside a system. Although the IAM techniques vary, the best options use a layered approach. For example, many people are familiar with needing to enter their password but also respond to security questions to which only they should know the answer.

When security professionals design how IAM works in an organization, they often require a person to enter a password they set, plus details sent elsewhere, such as to their phones. Then, if a hacker only gets someone’s password, they won’t have enough information to access the system.

However, hackers could compromise the CI/CD pipeline when IAM does not keep security tight enough. Those overseeing access control must periodically assess whether the current method works well or needs improvement.

3. Insecurities Related to Third-Party Products

If a CI/CD vulnerability results in a hacker gaining access and stealing data, that event could have significant consequences for the affected business. Consider how one survey found more than 86% of respondents would not or were unlikely to work with enterprises that had previously experienced breaches of payment card details.

Many company leaders are strengthening their CI/CD pipelines with third-party security products, such as those that can scan for vulnerabilities in code before its release. However, those specialized external platforms can have security issues, too.

Sometimes, vulnerabilities happen because people continue to use outdated versions of platforms or users misconfigure the tools, introducing vulnerabilities. However, security issues can also crop up because of problems with the tools themselves rather than how people use them. In all cases, users should always update software promptly and implement processes to reduce the chances of misconfigurations. Working with security-focused vendors is also a wise decision.

4. Logging and Visibility Shortcomings

Effective logging encompasses capturing and storing events along the CI/CD pipeline. Visibility relates to how well people can watch and understand all the pipeline’s activities, including those captured in logs. People commonly refer to event logs when investigating security incidents, but they can also help people detect and stop cybersecurity issues in progress.

Conversely, insufficient logging and visibility makes it easier for hackers to act maliciously while staying undetected. Experts point out how time and data are among the most valuable things for organizations under attack. When people can access reliable logs in centralized locations, they more often have the tools to turn a potentially devastating attack into a less impactful one.

Addressing logging and visibility issues requires system-based audit logs and records of application-based events, such as artifact uploads and build executions. Developers must identify all log sources within the CI/CD pipeline and check they’re all enabled since that’s not typically the default state. After that, they can decide on a centralized place to compile the logs for easy access. People should also consider automating parts of processes by configuring tools that can alert users to abnormal logging activity.

Maintain a Security-Focused Mindset

Unaddressed vulnerabilities can quickly disrupt a software release timeline and the most severe of these issues could cause reputational damage to the affected organizations. There’s no easy or guaranteed solution to eliminate vulnerabilities, but people are much more likely to catch them before they become problems when they treat security as a top-of-mind concern. It’s better to release a secure and vulnerability-free update than one that could become an entry point for hackers.