How to integrate image vulnerability scanning with CI/CD process?

Integrating image vulnerability scanning with the CI/CD process involves embedding security checks into your automated build and deployment pipelines to detect vulnerabilities in container images before they are deployed. This ensures that only secure images are promoted through the pipeline.

Steps to Integrate Image Vulnerability Scanning with CI/CD:

1. Select a Vulnerability Scanning Tool
   Use a tool that can scan container images for known vulnerabilities (e.g., CVEs) in OS packages, libraries, and dependencies.

2. Embed Scanning in the CI Pipeline
   Add a scanning step in your CI pipeline (e.g., after the image is built but before deployment). The scan should fail the pipeline if critical vulnerabilities are found.

3. Automate Remediation or Blocking
   Configure the pipeline to either:

   • Block deployment if high/critical vulnerabilities are detected.
   • Notify developers for manual review.
   • Auto-remediate by rebuilding the image with updated dependencies.

4. Integrate with the CD Pipeline (Optional)
   If using a CD pipeline, ensure that only scanned and approved images are deployed to production.

Example Workflow (Using Docker & a CI/CD Tool like GitLab CI/Jenkins):

1. Build the Docker Image:

   docker build -t my-app:latest .
   

2. Scan the Image (e.g., using Trivy or Tencent Cloud Container Security):

   trivy image my-app:latest
   

   (Alternatively, use Tencent Cloud Container Security for advanced scanning.)
3. Fail the Pipeline if Vulnerabilities Exist:
   • If the scan detects critical issues, the CI pipeline should fail.
   • Example (GitLab CI):

     stages:
       - build
       - scan
       - deploy
     
     build_image:
       stage: build
       script:
         - docker build -t my-app:latest .
     
     scan_image:
       stage: scan
       script:
         - trivy image --exit-code 1 --severity CRITICAL my-app:latest
     
     deploy:
       stage: deploy
       script:
         - echo "Deploying only if scan passes"
       only:
         - main
     

Recommended Tencent Cloud Services:

• Tencent Cloud Container Security (TCSS) – Provides automated vulnerability scanning for container images, malware detection, and compliance checks. Integrates with CI/CD pipelines to block insecure images.
• Tencent Cloud TKE (Tencent Kubernetes Engine) – Ensures secure container orchestration with integrated security policies.
• Tencent Cloud CodePipeline (or CI/CD tools like Jenkins/GitLab CI) – Automate the scanning process within your existing pipelines.

By embedding vulnerability scanning into CI/CD, you shift security left, reducing risks before deployment.