How Much Do You Trust That Package Understanding The Software Supply Chain

Introduction

The infamous reputation of NPM (Node Package Manager) as a problematic package management tool has circulated within developer communities for a while. Many developers have faced challenges and complications due to the sheer volume of packages and dependencies that NPM introduces. Before dissecting why NPM is often viewed negatively, let’s explore some critical issues within the larger context of software supply chain management.

The Issues with NPM

NPM installs a plethora of intricate packages, many of which serve very specific needs. There’s a memorable image illustrating this, showing tiny packages rushing out of a shed as soon as someone installs a new NPM package. The issue arises when these packages are discontinued or disappear overnight from the repositories. An infamous incident involved left-pad, a module that only contained a few lines of code yet managed to bring large applications to a standstill when removed.

Beyond unavailability, other security concerns plague NPM and the software supply chain. The event-stream incident serves as a reminder of how malware can infiltrate packages. In this case, a maintainer handed off the project to someone who then added malicious code, putting countless applications at risk.

NPM exemplifies a central point of failure; if it goes down, a significant portion of the internet may suffer disruptions similar to those seen with GitHub outages. This ties into a broader concern, the supply chain itself, which can be as vulnerable to disruption as any physical supply chain seen in manufacturing.

Understanding Supply Chain Risks

Supply chains consist of the relationships and logistics involved in acquiring resources needed to produce a product or service. When it comes to software, the supply chain encompasses all code dependencies sourced externally, whether from open source repositories or internal teams. This ecosystem of dependencies introduces risks, including:

Bugs: If a third-party package has bugs, they can impact the software utilizing it, potentially causing outages.
Unavailability: Dependencies may become unavailable when a maintainer opts to stop supporting the package or if significant outages occur with the package host.
Malicious Activity: Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities within packages, either by compromising the repository or infiltrating the codebase via some other means.

Maintainers often face burnout and may stop supporting projects due to various reasons, rendering packages compromised, out of date, or vulnerable over time. It’s imperative for organizations using external software to consider the risks involved, particularly when adopting third-party code.

Approaches to Mitigating Risks

To mitigate risks associated with software supply chains, organizations should consider the following:

Support Maintainers: It’s crucial for organizations using open-source software to support the primary maintainers financially or otherwise. This incentivizes them to continue maintaining critical packages.
Establish Processes: Implementing structured processes for evaluating third-party dependencies can help in assessing the risk associated with implementation.
Review and Audit Code: Regularly auditing third-party code and understanding what each dependency entails is crucial. This helps in identifying any potential risks or obsolete packages that no longer serve a purpose.

For example, at Yubico, a company focusing on hardware security, a development build can pull packages from various sources, yet production deployments are restricted to validated packages. This system ensures proper checks and balances on the code being deployed.

In Conclusion, relying on third-party code brings inherent risks that require awareness and management. The challenges faced by NPM are echoed throughout various package managers, reinforcing the idea that vigilance and proactive measures should be implemented across the board for a secure software supply chain.

Keyword

Software Supply Chain
NPM
Package Management
Dependencies
Malicious Code
Bugs
Unavailability
Maintenance
Security Risks

FAQ

Q1: Why is NPM often criticized?
A1: NPM has been criticized for its large number of small packages or dependencies, which can lead to risks such as bugs, unavailability, and the introduction of malicious code.

Q2: What are common risks associated with software supply chains?
A2: Common risks include bugs in third-party code, package unavailability, lack of maintenance from maintainers, and potential malicious activity.

Q3: How can organizations mitigate software supply chain risks?
A3: Organizations can mitigate risks by supporting maintainers of critical software, establishing processes for evaluating third-party code, and regularly auditing and reviewing dependencies.

Q4: Is NPM the only package manager with risks?
A4: No, all package management systems can face security issues and vulnerabilities, and it's essential to approach third-party code with care, regardless of the package manager in use.