5 Must-Know Fixes For Docker Image Vulnerabilities

There are several must-know fixes to repair Docker image vulnerabilities. Live Docker production environments deploy thousands of software containers every day. With more complex than traditional development workloads, security administrators need effective solutions to protect their containerized Docker environments.

As a security expert yourself, you should know how to implement the proper security protocols and controls into your underlying architecture. This way, you can secure vital development phases, protect your registries, and ensure safe deployment. To get started now, read on to learn the must-know fixes for Docker image vulnerabilities.

Automate Pipeline Scanning

One of the most effective fixes is to automate pipeline scanning operations. Integrate thorough vulnerability scans into every possible stage of your development lifecycle. You can automate these processes with artificial intelligence-enabled technologies. With automation, you can minimize security incidents, save time, and eliminate human error. You’ll likely save time and valuable resources as well. Most importantly, you can discover dangerous bugs, defects, and errors before malicious hackers do. Of course, this is crucial to promote insightful reporting, issue prioritization, and rapid mean-time-to-restoration (MTTR). Certainly, automate pipeline scanning to effectively fix Docker image vulnerabilities.

Use Publisher Verified Docker Images

In addition, use publisher-verified Docker images to defend against vulnerabilities. Specifically, many dev teams recommend using Docker hub, which is Docker’s official image registry. In this powerful Docker registry, you’ll find a wealth of official, publisher-verified, and certified images available for download. Here, you can use multiple highly secure and available registries. This way, you can distribute assets across your organization with fine-grained access control. Naturally, this helps teams automate development processes, better team collaboration, and gain deeper insights into operating system (OS) level issues. Plus, they give you the functionality to store, distribute, secure, and deploy valuable Docker images. Surely, only use publisher-verified images to correct and eliminate any Docker image vulnerabilities.

Implement Docker Bench

Another helpful, must-know fix is to implement a Docker bench for higher security standards. The bench is a script that thoroughly inspects all software containers on the server. Then, it analyzes, tests, and evaluates how they were deployed into production. Oftentimes, these tests are based on CIS Docker Benchmarks. These standards are published by the Center for Internet Security (CIS), and help secure Docker containers in production. Of course, this command is known to be troublesome on specific types of operating systems (OS). Therefore, you may need to install a test computer, solely for quality assurance (QA) purposes. Indeed, implement Docker bench protection protocols to eliminate any hazardous vulnerabilities.

Follow Least Privileged User

To deter Docker vulnerabilities in the first place, you should follow the least privileged user principles. When Dockerfiles don’t specify a user, they default to root privileges. This can quickly lead to major security issues. After all, this could mean your container has root access to Docker’s host. Instead, you should create a dedicated user and group, to which privileges can be assigned. Of course, this helps minimize the attack surface, promote system stability, and strengthen data security. Plus, these techniques help to minimize propagation associated with malware. Absolutely, follow least privileged user to keep Docker vulnerabilities away from your system.

Work With Trusted Base Images

Of course, every security-focused software developer will encourage you to work with trusted base images for Docker image vulnerability defense. Developing with unmaintained or untrusted images can lead you to inherit all these existing bugs and vulnerabilities. If you plan on using a custom base image, build it by yourself. You should also update the images frequently. Or, simply rebuild on top of them. There is not guarantee that images from public registries actually originate from the Docker file. Even if it is, you cannot assure the script is currently up-to-date.  Definitely, work with trusted base images to keep your vulnerabilities away from your Docker production environment.

There are several essential fixes to remember for Docker software image protection. First and foremost, dedicate time to automate pipeline scanning. This can easily be achieved with AI-driven continuous integration and delivery technologies. In addition, you should only work with official, publisher-verified images. Another helpful fix is to employ the Docker bench for heightened security protocols. More, follow the least privileged user principle. To further defend your infrastructure, use trusted containerized base images. This is especially true if you plan on developing your own custom base images. In this case, be sure to regularly update and maintain them as well. Follow the points highlighted above to find out about the must-know fixes for Docker image vulnerabilities.