The Data Exchange with Ben Lorica The Security Debate: How Safe is Open-Source Software?
Oct 10, 2024
Mars Lan, Co-founder and CTO of Metaphor, sheds light on the security challenges surrounding open-source software, debunking myths of its safety in critical industries. He discusses the complexities of dependency management, revealing common vulnerabilities in popular programming languages like Python and TypeScript. The conversation also dives into the contrasting security dynamics of open-source versus proprietary software and emphasizes accountability. Additionally, Lan highlights how Metaphor enhances data understanding and trust through innovative graph technologies.
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False Sense of Open Source Security
- Open-source software's perceived security can create a false sense of security, leading to neglect of real vulnerabilities.
- Many assume open-source code is safer due to "many eyes," but few actively look for security issues.
Proactive Open-Source Security
- Enable Dependabot on cloned repositories to reveal hidden vulnerabilities.
- Treat open-source projects like proprietary software by actively assessing their security.
Open Source Vulnerabilities
- Mars Lan found 30-40 open vulnerabilities in DataHub and OpenMetadata, some open for years.
- He blogged about these issues to raise public awareness and encourage fixes.