Open-source components are invaluable for speeding up software development, but they also introduce security risks. Every external dependency can be a potential vulnerability. Managing these risks requires a robust approach, and that’s where Sbom Scanning Tools come into play. A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is essential for modern software development, and having the right scanning tools is critical for maintaining a strong security posture.
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The State of Code Security Report [2025]
A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) strengthens security, but many supply chains remain vulnerable due to repository misconfigurations. The State of Code Security Report 2025 found that malicious NPM and PyPI packages continue to pose serious risks.](https://www.wiz.io/reports/state-of-code-security-2025)[Download report](https://www.wiz.io/reports/state-of-code-security-2025)
What is an SBOM and Why is it Important?
An SBOM, or Software Bill of Materials, is essentially a detailed inventory of all components that make up your software. Think of it as a ingredients list for your software application. It’s a comprehensive list, readable by both machines and humans, detailing every component, library, and module used, including open-source and third-party elements. Crucially, an SBOM includes version numbers, licenses, and dependency relationships.
Why is this important? In today’s software landscape, applications are rarely built from scratch. They rely heavily on external code, particularly open-source libraries. While these dependencies accelerate development, they also create a complex web of potential vulnerabilities. Without an SBOM, tracking these dependencies and their security status is incredibly challenging.
For software producers, SBOMs provide crucial insights into the components they are incorporating. This allows for proactive vulnerability management. If a vulnerability is discovered in a common library, producers with SBOMs can quickly identify if their software is affected and take immediate action.
For software operators, SBOMs are valuable for asset management and risk assessment. They provide transparency into the software supply chain, enabling organizations to identify potential risks and ensure compliance with licensing requirements. Furthermore, with increasing regulatory pressure, such as the U.S. Presidential Executive Order mandating SBOMs for government contractors, having SBOMs is becoming a compliance necessity.
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How SBOM Scanning Tools Work
To generate SBOMs efficiently, organizations rely on SBOM scanning tools. These tools, often part of Software Composition Analysis (SCA) solutions, automate the process of identifying and listing software components. They employ various scanning techniques to achieve comprehensive coverage:
- Manifest Scanning: This method analyzes manifest files (like
package.jsonfor Node.js projects orpom.xmlfor Java projects) which explicitly declare dependencies. It’s a fast and accurate way to identify direct dependencies. - Binary Scanning: Binary scanning goes deeper, examining compiled code to detect third-party libraries even if they aren’t explicitly declared in manifest files. This is crucial for identifying transitive dependencies and components included in binaries.
- Hybrid Scanning: For the most thorough results, hybrid scanning combines both manifest and binary analysis. This ensures maximum coverage and reduces the chance of missing dependencies.
SBOMs are generated in standardized formats, primarily SPDX (Software Package Data Exchange) and CycloneDX. These formats are designed to be both machine-readable for automated analysis and human-readable for manual inspection. This interoperability allows for easy sharing and consumption of SBOM data across different tools and organizations.
Open-Source SBOM Scanning Tools: Top Picks
Fortunately, a range of excellent open-source SBOM scanning tools are available, catering to different needs and environments. Here are some of the leading options:
General SBOM Tools
These tools are versatile and can be used across various programming languages and project types:
1. Syft
Syft is a highly popular command-line SBOM scanning tool known for its broad capabilities. It excels at generating SBOMs from container images and filesystems, supporting formats like Docker, OCI, and Singularity. Syft automatically detects Linux distributions and supports SPDX, CycloneDX, and its own Syft format for SBOM output.
2. The SBOM tool
Developed by Microsoft, The SBOM tool is designed for scalability and enterprise environments. This open-source sbom scanning tool leverages Microsoft’s component detection library, supporting package managers like NuGet, npm, Go, pip, and Cargo. It generates SBOMs in the SPDX format during the build process.
3. Tern
Tern is an SCA tool that includes sbom scanning tool functionality, focusing on container images and Dockerfiles. Tern emphasizes license information, providing layer-by-layer dependency analysis within container images. It supports SPDX, CycloneDX, HTML, and YAML output formats, offering flexibility in reporting.
4. CycloneDX Generator
The CycloneDX Generator (cdxgen) is the official OWASP sbom scanning tool. It boasts extensive language support, including C/C++, Java, JavaScript, Python, and more. It offers both a CLI for local and CI/CD pipeline scanning and an API server for on-demand SBOM checks, outputting in CycloneDX format.
5. SPDX SBOM Generator
The SPDX SBOM Generator is a multi-language sbom scanning tool that supports a wide array of package managers, including pip, npm, Cargo, Go, and RubyGems. It’s CLI-based and specializes in generating SPDX format SBOMs.
6. DISTRO2SBOM
DISTRO2SBOM is a specialized sbom scanning tool for Linux environments. It scans your Linux installation to identify installed packages, automatically detects the distribution, and exports SBOMs in SPDX and CycloneDX formats.
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Language-Specific SBOM Tools
For organizations focused on specific technology stacks, language-specific sbom scanning tools can offer tailored capabilities:
7. Retire.js
Retire.js is primarily a JavaScript security vulnerability scanner, but it also includes sbom scanning tool features. It can be used as a CLI tool, integrated into CI/CD pipelines, or as a browser extension for scanning websites. Retire.js generates SBOMs in CycloneDX format.
8. bom
bom, part of the Kubernetes project, is designed to generate SBOMs specifically for Go dependencies in Kubernetes cluster definitions. This sbom scanning tool outputs SPDX files and can identify a vast number of software licenses.
9. Jake
Jake is a CLI tool focused on Python environments. It scans for vulnerabilities and generates SBOMs in CycloneDX format, leveraging the Sonatype server (both commercial and open-source versions).
10. rebar3_sbom
rebar3_sbom is an sbom scanning tool specifically for Erlang projects. It utilizes Erlang’s Rebar build tool to generate SBOMs in the CycloneDX format.
11. sbom-rs
sbom-rs is a collection of sbom scanning tools for the Rust programming language. It supports both SPDX and CycloneDX formats and includes a vulnerability scanner based on the Open Source Vulnerabilities (OSV) database.
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Choosing the Right SBOM Scanning Tool
Selecting the best sbom scanning tool depends on your specific needs. Consider factors like:
- Language and Ecosystem Support: Ensure the tool supports your primary programming languages and package managers.
- Scanning Methods: Evaluate if the scanning methods (manifest, binary, hybrid) meet your desired level of depth and accuracy.
- Output Formats: Check if the tool supports your preferred SBOM formats (SPDX, CycloneDX).
- Ease of Use and Integration: Consider the tool’s usability, CLI or GUI interface, and integration capabilities with your existing development and security workflows.
- Specific Features: Some tools offer additional features like vulnerability scanning or license compliance reporting.
Conclusion
SBOM scanning tools are indispensable for modern software security and supply chain management. They provide the visibility needed to manage open-source risks, ensure license compliance, and meet growing regulatory demands. By implementing sbom scanning tools and generating SBOMs, software producers and operators can significantly strengthen their security posture and build more resilient software. The open-source tools highlighted here offer a cost-effective starting point for organizations looking to enhance their software security practices. Explore these options and take the first step towards better software component visibility today.
Agentless SBOM Generation
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