#005 - The Risks of Zero-Day Attacks in Open Source Software with Frank Huerta

The Embedded Frontier

Summary

In this episode, Jacob Beningo interviews Frank Herta, the CEO of Curtail Incorporated, about the risks of zero-day attacks in open source software. They discuss the importance of DevSecOps and the need for comprehensive security measures. Frank shares his background in security and how his company is working on detecting zero-day bugs.
They also explore the vulnerabilities of open source software and the potential for third-party supply chain attacks. Open source software testing differs from proprietary software testing in terms of who is responsible for testing. Open source projects have their own testing processes, but it's important for software developers to test the open source software in the context of their own applications.
DevSecOps is a cultural shift that aims to integrate security and testing throughout the software development process. It involves early testing, collaboration between teams, and a focus on security from the beginning. The nature of threats in open source software is changing, with third-party attacks on repositories becoming a major concern. Complacency and slow response times are also issues that need to be addressed.
Developers and managers using open source software should follow security best practices, stay updated on vulnerabilities, and actively test their software. Curtail is working on innovative solutions to analyze and compare different open source packages for better security.
Keywords
embedded systems, open source software, zero-day attacks, DevSecOps, security measures, vulnerabilities, supply chain attacks, open source software, testing, proprietary software, DevSecOps, third-party attacks, complacency, response time, security best practices, Curtail

Takeaways

• Open source software is prevalent in the industry, with 70-90% of software being open source-based.
• Companies and their customers are at risk of zero-day attacks due to the widespread use of open source software.
• Historical examples like Heartbleed and Apache Struts have demonstrated the vulnerabilities of open source software.
• DevSecOps is crucial for integrating security measures throughout the software development lifecycle.
• Comprehensive testing, documentation, and active involvement in open source communities can help mitigate security risks.
• Comparing different versions of open source software and monitoring network behavior can help detect changes and potential vulnerabilities. Open source software should be tested in the context of the specific application it will be used in.
• DevSecOps is a cultural shift that integrates security and testing throughout the software development process.
• Third-party attacks on open source repositories are a growing concern.
• Complacency and slow response times can lead to security vulnerabilities.
• Developers and managers should follow security best practices and actively test their software.
• Curtail is working on innovative solutions to analyze and compare different open source packages for better security.

Capitoli

1. Introduction to Embedded Frontier Podcast (00:00:00)

2. Interview with Frank Herta, CEO of Curtail Incorporated (00:01:25)

3. Vulnerabilities and Historical Examples of Open Source Software (00:23:10)

4. Comprehensive Security Measures for Open Source Software (00:25:08)

5. Detecting Zero-Day Bugs and Monitoring Network Behavior (00:26:37)

6. Mitigating Security Risks through Testing and Active Involvement (00:29:17)

7. The Cultural Shift of DevSecOps (00:31:04)

8. Changing Nature of Threats (00:42:12)

9. Avoiding Complacency and Improving Response Times (00:47:55)

10. Best Practices for Using Open Source Software (00:48:53)

11. Innovative Solutions from Curtail (00:50:18)