OWASP Dependency-Check

OWASP Dependency-Check is the trusted open-source security tool used by companies like Netflix, IBM, and thousands of development teams worldwide to identify known vulnerabilities in project dependencies through comprehensive CVE database integration and automated scanning. As one of the OWASP Foundation’s flagship security projects, this tool has become essential for securing software supply chains by detecting vulnerable components before they reach production environments.

Developed by Jeremy Long and maintained by the OWASP community since 2012, OWASP Dependency-Check has become the industry standard for dependency vulnerability scanning across multiple programming languages and build systems. Organizations like Mozilla, Red Hat, and numerous financial institutions rely on its comprehensive vulnerability detection and detailed reporting to maintain secure development practices and meet compliance requirements.

Development and security teams choose OWASP Dependency-Check when they need reliable, automated vulnerability detection without vendor lock-in or licensing costs. The tool’s multi-language support, CI/CD integration capabilities, and detailed remediation guidance make it ideal for organizations that want to build security into their development workflows while maintaining development velocity and meeting regulatory compliance standards.

Key Features

• Comprehensive Language Support - Scans Java, .NET, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, PHP, C/C++, and other ecosystems for vulnerable dependencies • Extensive CVE Database Integration - Cross-references National Vulnerability Database and multiple security advisory sources for complete coverage • Seamless Build Tool Integration - Native plugins for Maven, Gradle, Ant, SBT, and other popular build systems • Advanced CI/CD Pipeline Integration - Jenkins, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and other automation platform support • Detailed Vulnerability Reporting - Comprehensive reports with CVSS scores, descriptions, and specific remediation guidance • Multiple Detection Methods - Combines filename analysis, cryptographic hashes, and package manifest inspection • Configurable Risk Policies - Customizable vulnerability thresholds and failure conditions for different environments • Enterprise-Ready Features - Database caching, proxy support, and distributed scanning for large-scale deployments

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Completely free and open-source with no licensing restrictions or vendor dependencies • Comprehensive multi-language support covers most modern development ecosystems • Excellent CI/CD integration enables automated security scanning without workflow disruption • Active OWASP community ensures regular updates and comprehensive vulnerability database coverage • Detailed reporting provides actionable remediation guidance for development teams

Cons

• Can generate false positives requiring manual review and verification processes • Performance impact on build times, especially for projects with many dependencies • Configuration complexity for advanced enterprise use cases and custom environments • Limited commercial support options compared to vendor-backed security scanning tools • Database update frequency depends on community maintenance and may lag behind commercial alternatives

Get Started with OWASP Dependency-Check

Secure your software supply chain with the vulnerability scanning tool trusted by Netflix, IBM, and security-conscious development teams worldwide. Visit owasp.org/www-project-dependency-check to start protecting your applications from known dependency vulnerabilities.