Open source software (OSS) can be a lifesaver. It’s fast, efficient, and ultimately helpful to push products out quicker. But here’s the catch: Open source isn’t just a valuable resource, it’s also a goldmine for attackers who know exactly where to strike. As OSS adoption skyrockets, understanding how to uncover the hidden threats of malicious code isn’t just smart. It’s survival.
Malicious Open Source Attacks: Meet the Usual Suspects
Here’s a look into three sneaky types of attacks targeting open source software vulnerabilities that might ruin your day if you’re not careful.
1. Dependency Confusion: Internal vs. External Chaos
Dependency confusion is when your automated build fetches a public version instead of your trusted internal one, and it’s exactly as messy as it sounds.
Attackers exploit packages of the same name between private (internal) repositories and public ones, tricking package managers into downloading malicious packages that masquerade as legitimate internal packages. Here’s how it typically goes down:
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Internal Package Spoofing: Say you have an internal package called company-infra. An attacker might publish a malicious package with that same name on a public repository, but with a suspiciously high version number, like v999.999.999. Because many package managers default to fetching the highest version, you’re suddenly pulling malicious code instead of your trusted internal package.
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Version Inflation Attacks: Attackers don’t even need to guess blindly. Sometimes they’ll scrape public GitHub repositories for dependency files (package.json, requirements.txt) to discover the names of your internal packages. Once discovered, they upload malicious packages using these exact names but higher version numbers to public repositories, baiting your build servers into downloading their payloads.
Pro tip for protection: Register placeholder packages with the same names as your internal ones on public repositories with intentionally low version numbers. This prevents attackers from claiming the package names and tricking your build tools. Other defensive options are namespace prefixing, version pinning, and configuring package managers to prioritize private repositories.
2. Typosquatting: When One Letter Costs You Everything
Imagine you’re exhausted, on your fourth coffee, and accidentally type “electorn” instead of “electron.” That tiny slip-up? It just downloaded a malicious package onto your dev machine. Welcome to the sneaky world of typosquatting where attackers bank on human mistakes.
Common typosquatting techniques include:
- Combosquatting: Appending common words or letters to legitimate packages, e.g., “lodash” becomes “lodashs.” Sounds legit, right?
- Omission: Leaving out a letter or hyphen, turning “cross-env” into “crossenv.” Harmless typo? Think again.
- Repetition: Sneaking in extra letters, like typing “jquerry” instead of “jquery.” Because who hasn’t held a key down too long?
- Transposition: Swapping adjacent letters, like the classic “electron” vs. “electorn”.
Typosquatting is tough to spot because it preys on developer fatigue and multitasking. Attackers count on developers’ busy schedules and tired eyes to overlook tiny naming discrepancies.
Pro tip for protection: Leverage advanced Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tools capable of detecting suspicious OSS packages, rather than relying solely on specific names and human vigilance.
3. RepoJacking: Hijacking Repositories One Rename at a Time
Picture this: your favorite GitHub repo suddenly renames itself. No big deal, right? Wrong. It’s actually the first domino falling in a potential attack called Repository Jacking, or RepoJacking. Here’s the sneaky trick attackers pull:
GitHub has a nifty feature called “Repository Redirects,” which automatically redirects users when repos or usernames are changed. Handy? Yes. Safe? Not always.
- Let’s say GitHub user Annastacia publishes a popular Go package at github.com/Annastacia/useful.
- Later, Annastacia shortens her username to Anna. GitHub automatically redirects requests from the old username (Annastacia) to the new one (Anna). So far, so good.
- But here’s the kicker: GitHub frees up the old username (Annastacia) for anyone to claim. Attackers jump at the chance, registering that abandoned username and setting up a malicious repo with the same original repository name (useful).
- Suddenly, anyone relying on the original URL downloads the malicious version instead. Chaos ensues.
The simplicity of username changes on GitHub means attackers don’t have to break in. They just wait for usernames to free up and jump in to exploit trust built over time.
Pro tip for protection: Use automated scanning tools like Checkmarx SCA to proactively identify vulnerable dependencies.
Detecting and Preventing Malicious Packages and Code: Your Tactical Game Plan
Let’s talk about solutions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to locking down your OSS supply chain:
Step 1: Visibility First
Know exactly what OSS you’re using. If you don’t know your stack, you can’t protect it. Use SBOMs and SCA tools that don’t just scan for known vulnerabilities, but also detect anomalies indicative of typosquatting or dependency confusion.
Step 2: Secure Internal Repositories
Minimize dependency confusion by locking down your package manager configurations. Ensure your internal repositories take precedence, and register placeholder packages in public repositories to block attackers from using your package names.
Step 3: Double-check Versions
Malicious actors love inflating version numbers. Configure your build environment to strictly manage and approve version updates. Better yet, create checksums or lock files to verify package integrity explicitly.
Step 4: Automation Is Your Friend
Automate vulnerability and malicious code detection in your CI/CD pipelines. Tools like Checkmarx SCA can spot typosquatting packages and other suspicious anomalies before they reach production.
Step 5: Protect Against RepoJacking
Avoid using retired namespaces to minimize the attack surface, and use SBOMs and SCA tools to regularly audit your repositories.
Wrapping Up: Vigilance Plus Checkmarx, the Ultimate Defense Combo
Look, nobody wants to be “that manager” whose codebase becomes the cautionary tale at conferences. OSS isn’t going anywhere, and neither are the attackers, so it’s best to stay sharp and stay informed on the risks of malicious code. Explore how Checkmarx One can mitigate the risk of OSS with its unified, end-to-end approach to software supply chain security.