The Cyber Security Council Podcast: Securing Modern Applications in a Decentralized Open Source World

Socket CEO Feross Aboukhadijeh was recently a guest on The Cyber Security Council podcast where he discussed the challenges of open source security with host Scott Brammer. Open source software forms the backbone of modern development, powering applications and systems across every industry. However, the growing complexity of the open source ecosystem has introduced significant security challenges.

One of the most pressing issues is the rise of malicious software supply chain attacks. Feross highlighted a staggering trend: Socket identifies hundreds of zero-day attacks each week, but many go unreported and unaddressed. “The vast majority of these attacks do not get CVE numbers issued,” he explained. “Even when flagged, malicious packages often remain live on package registries for weeks.” This delay exposes organizations to significant risks and underscores gaps in existing systems.

The conversation also delved into the structural shifts within open source development. Traditionally, open source projects were often maintained by large teams or foundations, ensuring a certain level of oversight and accountability. Today, however, the landscape is dominated by smaller dependencies, often managed by individual maintainers or small teams. This decentralization has enabled rapid innovation but also introduced vulnerabilities.

Feross described this shift in stark terms: “Instead of hundreds of people working on one project, you have one maintainer working on hundreds of projects. This creates a model where you’re placing a lot of trust in an individual maintainer.” With applications often relying on thousands of dependencies, the potential for vulnerabilities—whether due to abandoned projects, malicious actors, or even well-intentioned but flawed updates—is higher than ever.

Compounding these risks is the inadequacy of traditional security approaches. Many tools depend on static vulnerability databases, which fail to account for emerging threats like typo squats, backdoors, and risky API usage. The need for more proactive solutions—capable of identifying and addressing risks in real time—has become increasingly clear.

The discussion emphasized that securing the open source ecosystem requires a combination of visibility, real-time analysis, and early intervention. Developers need better tools and insights to navigate the complexities of open source safely, and organizations must prioritize collaboration and proactive measures to safeguard their supply chains.

Check out the full podcast discussion below.