Using open-source software (OSS) has many benefits, including vendor lock-in elimination, lowering usage costs, and providing source code flexibility. According to Forbes, 96% of scanned apps have at least one open-source component. But OSS also comes with drawbacks.
Because OSS code is accessible to both legitimate users and cybercriminals, proactively identifying and resolving vulnerabilities is critical. Thankfully, open-source vulnerability scanning tools can help. Read on for top options and their core capabilities to find the best fit for your organization.
Get a Free Wiz Vulnerability ScanWhat is open-source software vulnerability management?
OSS vulnerabilities are exploitable flaws within the code of open-source libraries and frameworks. Common issues include outdated packages, malicious updates, and misconfigurations that introduce serious risk.
Managing these vulnerabilities requires continuous, automated scanning and contextual analysis to identify, prioritize, and remediate threats before they impact production environments. Purpose-built scanners provide this visibility.
Open-source vulnerability scanners reduce your attack surface by identifying and resolving issues before they cause data breaches or loss. Without these tools, detecting security vulnerabilities is difficult due to limited visibility into open-source components, dependencies, and risks.
Manually tracking OSS vulnerabilities and updates is time-consuming and inefficient. Fortunately, many automated open-source vulnerability scanners are now available. Some span multiple categories within vulnerability management and also offer enterprise-supported or paid versions with additional features.
Below are key tools and categories to consider for a cloud vulnerability management solution:
| Category | Tools |
|---|---|
| Vulnerability discovery |
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| Reliable risk-scoring |
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| Fast remediation orchestration |
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| Compliance reporting |
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Top OSS vulnerability management tools
There are various open-source vulnerability management solutions on the market, each offering different capabilities—from basic discovery to more advanced detection and remediation. Top open-source tools and their capabilities fall into several categories. Here's a look at each.
VM tools for vulnerability discovery
These tools can help you find critical vulnerabilities:
Nmap
Nmap is a command-line tool primarily used for network and port scanning on systems such as Windows, Linux, macOS, and FreeBSD. It identifies online hosts, open ports, and basic firewall rules by sending various packet types to target networks. Through its Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE), it can extend functionality to include some vulnerability detection, but it is not a full-featured vulnerability management platform.
Key features and capabilities:
Automatically discovers host addresses, services, and operating systems
Scans hosts and services using direct IP packet analysis
Extends scanning capabilities with 500+ NSE scripts for basic checks and limited vulnerability detection
Detects service versions for more accurate risk analysis
Fingerprints TCP, IP, and OS for deep inspection
Queries DNS for domain and infrastructure intelligence
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extends capabilities with built-in scripts for deeper analysis | Offers a limited user interface with minimal visual interaction |
| Outputs results in multiple formats: normal, interactive, and grepable | Susceptible to detection and blocking from excessive traffic or noise generation |
| Customizes network scans to align with your cloud ecosystem | Lacks graphical network mapping for visual context |
| Detects vulnerabilities quickly and with precision (though with considerable limits) | Can disrupt or impact target networks, especially sensitive or legacy systems |
Nikto
Nikto is an open-source command-line web server scanner that performs basic vulnerability assessments across a wide range of web servers. It identifies outdated software, insecure files and CGI scripts, and misconfigurations on common platforms such as Apache, Nginx, and Lighttpd. While Nikto supports SSL and IPv6, it doesn't perform automated patching or intrusion prevention. Nikto is considered lightweight and somewhat legacy, but it remains useful for rapid, low-complexity assessments.
Key features and capabilities:
Scans web servers for more than 7,000 dangerous files and common CGI vulnerabilities
Identifies outdated server versions and version-specific issues across major web platforms
Checks for insecure configurations such as directory indexing, HTTP methods, and missing headers
Generates reports in plain text, XML, CSV, SQL, or JSON for easy review and integration
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Scans thousands of known web server vulnerabilities and misconfigurations | Can be noisy and is typically considered a legacy scanning solution |
| Supports multiple output formats, including text, XML, CSV, and JSON | Requires technical expertise for effective setup and use |
| Detects outdated server versions and insecure HTTP methods | Often results in long scan durations in complex environments |
| Includes SSL and IPv6 support across major web server platforms | Remains limited to web servers and lacks broader software environment coverage |
VM tools for reliable risk-scoring
The following tools provide scores to help you prioritize risks—though they don't assess website or app vulnerabilities:
OpenVAS
Open Vulnerability Assessment Software (OpenVAS) is a network and endpoint vulnerability scanner composed of several testing modules and two central components: a scanner and a manager. Its extensive, up-to-date database enables accurate network vulnerability detection.
OpenVAS offers both free and paid versions, with key differences in capabilities and network vulnerability test feeds. The paid version comes with the Greenbone Enterprise Feed, while the free version uses the Greenbone Community Feed.
Key features and capabilities (free version):
Automatically discovers, inventories, and tags assets across environments
Supports local and cloud-based installation options
Prioritizes risk to help teams focus on the most critical issues
Flags outdated software, web server vulnerabilities, and misconfigurations
Features a graphical, interactive web interface for ease of use
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Managed through a user-friendly console for intuitive control | Can be complicated to use and may present a steep learning curve |
| Accesses extensive vulnerability reports for deeper security insights | Offers limited coverage, scanning only basic endpoints and networks |
| Includes customizable features and integrates seamlessly with your existing tech stack | Primarily optimized for Linux and Windows operating systems |
| Engages an active community for peer support and regular updates | Involves a complex and time-consuming onboarding process |
sqlmap
sqlmap is a database-focused vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tool. Its powerful detection engine minimizes noise during scans and identifies various database vulnerability types. Using DBMS credentials, database name, and IP address, sqlmap can bypass SQL injection defenses, which reduces false positives by validating vulnerabilities during scanning.
Key features and capabilities:
Covers a wide range of SQL injection techniques, including stacked queries
Supports multiple database services, including PostgreSQL, MySQL, and Oracle
Detects password hash formats for credential analysis and cracking workflows
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Detects vulnerabilities accurately using an advanced detection engine | Available only as a command-line tool with no GUI |
| Cracks passwords with dictionary-based techniques | Presents a steep learning curve for new users |
| Enumerates users, roles, tables, columns, and databases for comprehensive insight | Limited in scope to database vulnerability scanning |
VM tools for fast remediation orchestration
The following tools can help you resolve vulnerabilities before they escalate:
OpenSCAP
Open Security Content Automation Protocol (OpenSCAP) is a Linux-based platform created by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to implement the SCAP standard. It includes a suite of modules, such as OpenSCAP Base, Workbench, and Daemon, which focus on vulnerability scanning and compliance enforcement.
OpenSCAP Base detects vulnerabilities by comparing Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) tags against those retrieved from trusted vulnerability databases.
Key features and capabilities:
Detects security misconfigurations across systems and applications
Assesses compliance against industry frameworks and policies
Ranks issues by severity to support effective prioritization
Scans environments using a command-line interface
Provides a graphical web interface for interactive management
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Integrates with multiple open-source vendors, including Red Hat | Difficult to set up and use without prior experience |
| Assesses vulnerabilities in seconds for rapid risk evaluation | Offers limited support for Windows environments |
| Runs routine and on-demand scans to maintain continuous coverage | Primarily supports Linux environments, with no macOS functionality |
Burp Suite (Community Edition)
Burp Suite Community Edition is a free manual web application testing tool used to identify and explore vulnerabilities. It includes core features like Burp Proxy, Burp Spider, and Burp Repeater, which help developers and security researchers intercept, inspect, and manipulate HTTP traffic. While it lacks the automation and advanced scanning capabilities found in the Pro or Enterprise editions, it remains a valuable resource for hands-on testing.
Key features and capabilities (free version):
Intercepts and inspects HTTP(S) traffic using Burp Proxy for debugging and analysis
Crawls web applications manually with Burp Spider to map endpoints
Facilitates manual testing of web input points using Burp Repeater, allowing user-driven request crafting and analysis
Analyzes client-server communications in real time for visibility and context
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sets up quickly with minimal configuration required | Requires manual web app testing with no automation support |
| Provides clear visibility into HTTP(S) traffic via an intercepting proxy | Lacks reporting features for scan results or compliance evidence |
| Enables repeatable manual input testing with Burp Repeater | Includes limited tools compared to the Pro or Enterprise versions |
| Offers a polished, stable interface for manual testing workflows | Does not support CI/CD integration, container scanning, or API testing |
VM tools for compliance reporting
These tools can help you identify and report vulnerabilities to support regulatory and security compliance:
Wapiti
Wapiti is an app and website vulnerability scanner and penetration tester that supports GET and POST HTTP penetration attack methods. Rather than analyzing app codebases, it uses a fuzzing technique to discover vulnerable scripts. Users can set anomaly thresholds and receive alerts accordingly.
Key features and capabilities:
Fingerprints web applications to identify technologies and frameworks
Discovers multiple SQL injection techniques for thorough testing
Analyzes HTTP headers to assess security configurations
Detects CSRF, SSRF, CRLF injection, and brute-force login attempts
Supports man-in-the-middle proxy setups for traffic inspection
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Scans folders, domains, pages, and specific URLs with precision | Lacks a graphical user interface, relying solely on command-line interaction |
| Exports vulnerability reports in TXT, JSON, HTML, XML, and CSV formats | Designed primarily for experienced users with technical expertise |
| Highlights issues using color-coded vulnerability reporting | May produce false positives, requiring manual validation |
| Adjusts verbosity levels to customize output detail | Focuses on dynamic testing through fuzzing rather than source code analysis, which limits detection of deeper logic flaws |
| Pauses and resumes pen testing and vulnerability scans for flexible workflows | Lacks advanced automation features or support for scheduled scanning |
Skipfish
Skipfish is an automated website, web app, and penetration testing solution for content management systems. Using recursive crawling and dictionary-based probing, it generates an interactive, annotated sitemap that displays vulnerability pathways and exposed directories and parameters.
Key features and capabilities:
Includes over 15 built-in penetration testing modules
Uncovers server-side query, XML/XPath, and shell command injections, including blind vectors
Reveals invalid SSL certificates and misconfigured cache directives
Tracks a wide range of enumeration attack types for thorough exposure analysis
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Optimizes performance with a C-based architecture that consumes minimal CPU resources | Relies on heuristic-based testing and does not use a traditional vulnerability database |
| Runs fast scans with throughput up to 2,000 requests per second | Primarily designed for use on Kali Linux platforms |
| Minimizes false positives using heuristics-based detection | Limited penetration testing without built-in remediation capabilities |
| Generates detailed, visual reports for clear vulnerability insights | Performs intrusive scans that may temporarily disrupt website activity |
Choosing a best-fit tool
Small businesses handling low-risk data may find the open-source tools outlined above ideal for their needs. However, enterprises with more sensitive data and complex infrastructure need to be aware of important OSS limitations, including compatibility issues and restricted capabilities.
For instance, open-source tools can't provide comprehensive vulnerability assessments across an enterprise’s entire stack, which means integrating multiple tools for full cloud coverage. Even when all integrations are possible—a challenge in itself—using several solutions adds complexity and may result in inefficiencies.
6 key capabilities of vulnerability management tools
Every vulnerability management solution should include foundational functions that help you maintain a secure cloud environment. The following six capabilities are essential components of top tools:
1. Dynamic asset discovery
As enterprise IT infrastructure becomes increasingly complex, engineering teams may adopt software without fully understanding the open-source code it contains or the cybersecurity best practices needed to configure it.
Reliable vulnerability management tools must automatically discover and inventory all software assets, including apps, VMs, containers, container images, databases, and their open-source components.
🛠️ Action step: Continuously validate your asset inventory against your cloud provider’s usage logs and IAM configurations to ensure discovered assets match what’s actually accessible and exposed.
2. SCA and SBOM integration
A vulnerability assessment that includes software composition analysis (SCA) and a software bill of materials (SBOM) speeds up vulnerability discovery by embedding security into the software development lifecycle.
With an SCA, DevSecOps teams can itemize OSS components, examine vulnerabilities in source code and binaries, and check for license compliance. An SBOM also allows tracking of an app’s third-party dependencies, version numbers, release dates, and licenses, making it easier to identify components that require patching.
🛠️ Action step: Automate SBOM validation within CI/CD workflows to ensure every deployment checks for known vulnerable or noncompliant dependencies before reaching production.
3. Swift and accurate vulnerability detection
Look for tools that offer quick, comprehensive, and continuous scanning of your entire stack for proactive vulnerability detection. Agentless scanning can be especially handy, as it’s fast and resource efficient.
Vulnerability detection must also be accurate—the fewer false positives and negatives, the better. A tool that raises unnecessary alarms wastes engineering time, while one that misses real issues leaves critical security risks exposed and exploitable.
🛠️ Action step: Incorporate a feedback loop between detection and remediation teams to tune scanning parameters, validate critical findings, and suppress recurring known false positives.
4. Risk-based prioritization
Some vulnerabilities are unlikely to be exploited—or, if exploited, may cause minimal impact. Effective vulnerability management tools evaluate each issue based on your environment’s specific context, not just raw severity scores. The best-fit tool prioritizes risk in ways that align with your business objectives.
🛠️ Action step: Integrate business context into your prioritization logic. For example, tag cloud resources with criticality labels like “PII,” “prod,” or “internal-only” to dynamically influence risk scores.
5. Remediation and alerting
Pulling your security teams away from critical work to handle minor cyber threats isn't an efficient use of resources. Choose a solution that automatically patches routine vulnerabilities and provides real-time, actionable, and context-rich recommendations when manual intervention is needed.
🛠️ Action step: Set thresholds for automated triage, such as auto-patching CVEs below a certain exploitability score, and funnel high-risk issues to human review with recommended actions pre-attached.
6. Compatibility
Open-source vulnerability scanners often come with compatibility limitations, as many are built for specific programming languages (like Go in Govulncheck) or operating systems (like Linux-only support in Vuls and Lynis).
Before adopting a tool, confirm it fully supports your tech stack—including all cloud platforms, languages, and operating systems—to avoid blind spots and integration headaches.
🛠️ Action step: Maintain a compatibility matrix across all dev environments to assess coverage gaps and proactively test new integrations or plugins for emerging tech stacks and third-party tools.
Wiz's approach to vulnerability management
As part of its cloud native application protection platform (CNAPP), Wiz's unified vulnerability management solution offers a robust, agentless, and cloud native approach to managing and mitigating vulnerabilities across a variety of cloud environments and workloads. Its key advantages include:
Agentless technology: Wiz uses a one-time, cloud native API deployment for agentless scanning. This method enables continuous workload assessments across environments without deploying agents, which simplifies maintenance and ensures full coverage.
Comprehensive coverage: Wiz provides broad vulnerability visibility across multiple cloud platforms (like AWS, GCP, Azure, OCI, Alibaba Cloud, and VMware vSphere) and technologies (such as VMs, serverless functions, containers, container registries, virtual appliances, and managed compute resources). It supports over 70,000 vulnerabilities spanning more than 30 operating systems and includes the CISA KEV catalog along with thousands of applications.
Contextual risk-based prioritization: Wiz prioritizes vulnerabilities based on environmental risk, which helps teams focus on vulnerability remediations that will have the most significant impact on their security posture. Correlating vulnerabilities with multiple cyber risk factors, including external exposure and misconfigurations, reduces alert fatigue and surfaces the most critical vulnerabilities first.
Deep assessment: Wiz can detect hidden vulnerabilities, such as nested Log4j dependencies, across a wide range of environments, including VMs, containers, and serverless functions. This ensures you uncover deeply buried weaknesses.
Wiz’s CNAPP combines asset discovery, vulnerability detection, risk prioritization, and automated remediation into one unified platform, allowing your team to spend less time stitching together tools and more time securing what matters. Whether you're looking to strengthen your current program or just getting started, Wiz makes it easy to take the next step.
Schedule a free demo to see how Wiz can protect you from threats and vulnerabilities. Or, review your state of security with a free vulnerability assessment.
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FAQ
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