OWASP Dependency-Check
Software composition analysis tool that checks project dependencies against the National Vulnerability Database for known CVEs.
Technical Architecture & Overview
OWASP Dependency-Check is an open-source Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool that identifies project dependencies and checks them against the NVD API, OSS Index, RetireJS, NPM Audit, and CISA KEV for known publicly disclosed vulnerabilities. It supports Java, .NET, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and other ecosystems.
Targeted Technical Use Cases
Scanning project dependencies for known CVEs in CI/CD pipelines and build systems.
Evaluation & Trade-offs
Core Strengths
- +Covers multiple language ecosystems including Java, .NET, Python, and JavaScript.
- +Integrates with Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, and other build tools.
- +Queries multiple vulnerability data sources beyond NVD, including OSS Index, RetireJS, and CISA KEV.
Trade-Offs & Limitations
- -CPE-based dependency identification can produce false positives that need suppression rules.
- -Data-source coverage varies by ecosystem, and some analyzers are experimental and disabled by default.
Defensive Security Application
Preventing dependencies with known CVEs from being included in production builds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is OWASP Dependency-Check?→
OWASP Dependency-Check is an open-source Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool that identifies project dependencies and checks them against the NVD API, OSS Index, RetireJS, NPM Audit, and CISA KEV for known publicly disclosed vulnerabilities. It supports Java, .NET, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, and other ecosystems.
What is OWASP Dependency-Check used for?→
Scanning project dependencies for known CVEs in CI/CD pipelines and build systems.
What are the strengths of OWASP Dependency-Check?→
- +Covers multiple language ecosystems including Java, .NET, Python, and JavaScript.
- +Integrates with Maven, Gradle, Jenkins, and other build tools.
- +Queries multiple vulnerability data sources beyond NVD, including OSS Index, RetireJS, and CISA KEV.
What are the limitations of OWASP Dependency-Check?→
- +CPE-based dependency identification can produce false positives that need suppression rules.
- +Data-source coverage varies by ecosystem, and some analyzers are experimental and disabled by default.
How is OWASP Dependency-Check used defensively?→
Preventing dependencies with known CVEs from being included in production builds.