Software supply chain attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and devastating, with Gartner predicting that 45% of all businesses will experience a breach by 2025. Cybersecurity Ventures further underscores the gravity of this threat, projecting a staggering $138 billion in annual damages caused by software supply chain attacks by 2031. These alarming forecasts highlight the urgent need for organizations to prioritize software supply chain security and implement robust measures to protect their sensitive data, operations, and reputations.
The rise of third-party components, faster software development cycles, complex supply chains, lack of visibility, new attack techniques, SaaS adoption, and limited resources are all causing the surge in software supply chain attacks. Organizations need to adopt a comprehensive and active approach to address these challenges and protect their software supply chains.
What is a Software Supply Chain Attack?
ENISA defines Software Supply Chain Attack as “a compromise of a particular asset, e.g. a software provider’s infrastructure and commercial software, to indirectly damage a certain target or targets, e.g. the software provider’s clients.” In other words, a Software Supply Chain Attack refers to a malicious activity targeting the software supply chain, aiming to compromise and introduce vulnerabilities or malware elements into the software development and distribution process. This attack exploits the interconnected and often complicated network of processes, tools, and entities involved in building and delivering software.
Key components and concepts related to a Software Supply Chain Attacks
Cyber threat intelligence and infosec literature have broken down software supply chain attacks into specific categories for better analysis and understanding. We would like to provide an introduction to these concepts based on the MITRE Attack Pattern Catalog. This catalog structures and describes supply chain attack patterns to facilitate analysis using various sources, including the adversarial threats gathered by NIST.
Attack Act: The What
An action that causes a malicious payload or malicious intention to be delivered to or directed at a system to adversely affect that system
- Example 1: Malware is inserted into system software during the build process
- Example 2: System requirements or design documents are maliciously altered.
Attack vector: The How
The route or method used by an adversary to exploit system design vulnerabilities or process weaknesses to cause adverse consequences. (Attack vectors are how attackers can access attack surfaces, which can be thought of as reachable and exploitable vulnerabilities)
- Example 1: An attacker with access to software development tools and processes during the software integration and build process
- Example 2: An attacker gains unauthorized access to system technical documentation
Explore further in our Attack Vector Glossary for more detailed insights.
Attack origin: The Who
The source of an attack. Information to identify the attacker’s role, status, and/or relationship to the system development and acquisition (e.g. inside or outside the target organization and/or supply chain, type of job performed, etc.)
Attack Goal: The Why
The attacker’s reason for the attack. More than one may apply (disruption, corruption, disclosure, destruction…)
Attack Impact: The consequences
What the attack accomplishes. A description of adverse effects on the system.
Most common Software Supply Chain Attacks
Numerous types of software supply chain attacks (SSCAs) exist, and organizations must be aware of the various threat vectors at each stage of the software supply chain lifecycle. Based on The SLSA framework, The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), we can categorize these threats into four main categories: source, build, package, and dependency threats.
Software Supply Chain Threats in the Source Stage
Source Stage is where code is created, modified, and stored. Threats include submitting insecure or malicious code, tampering with critical files, or compromising the source repository itself, potentially introducing vulnerabilities early in the process.
- Submit bad code
- Compromise source repo
- Build from a modified source
- Write insecure code
- Tampering critical files
SSCS Threats in the Build Stage
In the Build Stage, developers compile and integrate code into a working version. Key risks include skipping security checks in the CI/CD pipeline, changing code after version control, or compromising the build process, which lets malicious code sneak into artifacts unnoticed.
- Bypass CI/CD
- Modify code after source control
- Compromise build process
- Compromise artifact repository
Software Supply Chain Threats in the Package Stage
Package stage involves bundling code into deployable units. Threats include using compromised packages or dependencies and modifying package registries. Attackers may upload altered or malicious versions of packages to widely-used registries.
- Use compromised package
- Compromise package registry
- Upload Modified Package
SSCS Threats in the Dependency Stage
In the Dependency Stage, the focus is on integrating third-party libraries, frameworks, and packages into the software
- Use Compromised Dependency
- Outdated or Vulnerable Dependencies
- Transitive Dependency Risks
- Malicious Package Registries
Common software supply chain attack techniques
Although there are numerous types of techniques that can be employed in the cybersphere, the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) of the U.S. Department of Commerce have classified them in three categories in their publication “Defending Against Software Supply Chain Attacks”.
- Hijacking Updates
- Undermining Codesigning
- Compromising Open-Source Code
Xygeni: Your Comprehensive Solution for Robust Software Supply Chain Security
Continuous Security Posture Management
Xygeni provides continuous risk assessment throughout all stages of the SDLC, offering real-time monitoring of infrastructure, pipelines, and teams. This helps detect vulnerabilities early and makes sure security risks are handled before they grow into serious threats.
CI/CD Security
Xygeni Ci/CD Security builds security directly into CI/CD pipelines, stopping tampered code from getting into production. It blocks compromised artifacts before deployment by using secure build attestations, artifact checks, and automated security gates, making sure your builds stay intact.
Anomaly Detection
Xygeni’s anomaly detection watches for suspicious actions in real-time, quickly noticing unusual things like unapproved changes to configurations, code repositories, or user permissions. These instant alerts help teams respond to threats right away
Open Source Security
Xygeni provides real-time malware detection for open-source components, identifying and blocking malicious code before it enters the software supply chain. It also generates a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to ensure complete visibility and accountability for all open-source dependencies.
Code Security
Xygeni Code Security secures your code by detecting and blocking malicious elements like backdoors, ransomware, and trojans. This protects every line of application code from unauthorized injections that could lead to data theft, system disruption, or damage to reputation.
Build Security
Xygeni Build Security secures the build process from code creation to deployment by checking and checking artifacts, creating build attestations, and running real-time integrity checks. It uses keyless signatures and SLSA provenance to ensure that all components stay secure and untampered.
Secrets Management
Xygeni Secrets Security actively scans for exposed secrets, such as API keys or credentials, across the entire SDLC. It prevents sensitive information from being leaked and ensures the security of infrastructure configurations and development processes.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Security
Xygeni scans IaC templates for misconfigurations, makeing sure vulnerabilities are not copied across different environments. Securing these templates helps organizations scale infrastructure while keeping robust security controls.
Xygeni delivers end-to-end protection, safeguarding every phase of the SDLC with features like attestation, real-time alerts, and artifact verification to combat growing software supply chain attacks.
Stay Ahead of Software Supply Chain Attacks
Now that we have explained what is a software supply chain attack, and as they continue to rise, organizations urgently need to protect their development pipelines and infrastructure. The growing complexity of these attacks, from compromised source code to malicious dependencies, highlights the importance of taking action early. To keep sensitive data safe, ensure smooth operations, and protect your organization’s reputation, it’s critical to implement strong software supply chain security measures.
Xygeni offers a comprehensive solution, integrating real-time monitoring, anomaly detection, code and build security, and open-source protection. Equip your team with the tools necessary to secure your software supply chain from development through deployment.
Don’t wait for a breach—secure your software supply chain now. Save a demo with Xygeni today and see how our solutions can protect your systems from emerging threats.
