Article
March 25 , 2024
5 min read
Software Bill of Materials (SBOM): A Comprehensive Guide
5 min read
A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a comprehensive list of all the software components, dependencies, and metadata associated with an application. It functions as the inventory of all the building blocks that make up a software product, enabling organizations to better understand, manage, and secure their applications.
Why SBOMs are Crucial
The need for SBOMs is driven by several factors, including:
- Ensuring software transparency
- Managing open-source software and third-party dependencies
- Identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities
- Complying with legal and regulatory requirements (FDA/NTIA)
The Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity was issued by the US government in May 2021, and it highlighted the importance of SBOMs in enhancing the security of the software supply chain.
Real-World Impact of SBOMs
In one of the most significant cybersecurity incidents in recent history, the SolarWinds supply chain attack affected thousands of organizations worldwide, including high-profile victims such as FireEye and Microsoft.
The attack was carried out by a sophisticated nation-state threat actor known as APT29, or Cozy Bear, who is believed to be associated with the Russian government. The attackers exploited a vulnerability in SolarWinds' Orion software update process to insert malicious code into legitimate updates, which were then distributed to SolarWinds customers.
Once installed, the malware gave the attackers remote access to the victim's networks, allowing them to move laterally and steal sensitive information. The attack went undetected for several months, during which time the attackers were able to gather intelligence and potentially plant additional backdoors for future use.
The SolarWinds incident highlighted the critical role that SBOMs can play in securing the software supply chain. If SolarWinds had provided an SBOM for their Orion software, it would have been easier for their customers to identify and remediate the affected components, potentially reducing the impact of the attack.
In response to the incident, the US government issued an executive order requiring federal agencies to adopt SBOMs as part of their software security practices. The order also called for greater collaboration between government and industry to improve software security and supply chain resilience.
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SBOM as an Inventory
An SBOM contains an inventory of software components and dependencies. Modern software applications often leverage third-party libraries and frameworks. Many of these dependencies have their own dependencies on other components. The result is a complex nesting of interconnected components. A clear understanding of these dependencies is critical for organizations. An SBOM helps to provide visibility into these relationships and how an application is composed, enabling organizations to better manage their software supply chain.
Using SBOMs to Check Against Known Vulnerabilities
An SBOM plays a vital role in identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities. With an inventory of components and dependencies, an organization can systematically check the inventory against databases of known vulnerabilities (such as the Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures database). Security teams can proactively identify and address potential threats in software application dependencies before attackers can exploit them.
SBOM Formats and Standards
Several formats and standards have emerged for creating and sharing SBOMs. Standardized formats facilitate the sharing of SBOM data across the software supply chain, promoting transparency and collaboration among different stakeholders. Well-known formats include:
- Software Package Data Exchange (SPDX)
- CycloneDX
These formats offer varying levels of detail for different software ecosystems, allowing organizations to choose the format that best fits their needs.
The Impact of Cloud-Native Applications on SBOMs
Cloud-native applications have added to the complexity of software ecosystems. By providing a comprehensive inventory of software components that can be checked systematically for potential vulnerabilities, SBOMs enable organizations to effectively manage and secure their applications in the cloud.
Benefits of Implementing SBOMs
Implementing SBOMs offers several benefits for organizations, including:
- Improved security posture
- Streamlined vulnerability management
- Enhanced collaboration among teams
- Facilitated software audits and compliance checks
- Challenges in Adopting SBOMs