Chart of the Week

DEC 2024: VOLUME 1

How much “Shadow Code” is in your open-source applications?

With 90% of modern applications using open-source components, it’s likely your software supply chain is almost entirely made up of open-source software. Similar to the rise of “Shadow IT” in the past decade, “Shadow Code” is already pervasive in your applications and containers, potentially exposing your company to vulnerabilities and risks.

“Shadow Code” contributes two to nine times the volume of code your developers write

This may seem manageable with regimented AppSec processes and next-gen SCA tools in place, as most organizations do. However, since open-source code lives outside of your organization’s boundaries and is added at all stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), it becomes increasingly opaque to developers over time, resulting in more and more “Shadow Code.”

Percentage of open-source code varies by application type and stage of development

To address the problem requires understanding how it impacts your organization, but time and resources may be blockers to executing a thorough assessment. That’s why Lineaje analyzed thousands of business applications and source code repositories to provide you with an informed reference and starting point.

Simply scanning source-code repositories is no longer enough

Whether you have scanners for the full SDLC or by stage, it’s not easy to identify all risks associated with the open-source code in your application. Read more about how to improve your open-source security strategy in Lineaje AI Lab’s latest report: “Crossing Boundaries: Breaking Trust?”