Dependabot - Update Project dependencies automatically

Background

Maintaining project dependencies can be a difficult task, especially for larger projects with many dependencies. It is important to keep track of which dependencies are being used and which versions are compatible with the project. However, this can become a challenge as new versions of dependencies are released and there may be conflicts with existing code. Additionally, it can be time-consuming to resolve these conflicts and update the dependencies, which can impact the overall development timeline of the project. It is important to have a clear strategy in place for managing dependencies to avoid these issues. In this post, we will see how to use Dependabot to automatically update dependencies for project hosted in a GitHub repository.

What is Dependabot?

Dependabot is a tool that automatically detects and fixes vulnerabilities in a project's dependencies. It works by regularly checking for updates to the dependencies in a project and submitting pull requests with the updated dependencies when they are available. This can help reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities in a project and save developers time by automating the process of updating dependencies. Dependabot supports a variety of languages and package managers, including npm, pip, Maven, and Gradle.

It does this by regularly checking for new versions of dependencies and alerting developers to any vulnerabilities. Dependabot supports two modes of operation: security updates and version updates.

Security updates mode: In this mode, Dependabot monitors dependencies for known vulnerabilities and submits pull requests to update to a secure version when a vulnerability is detected. This helps developers ensure that their project is using secure dependencies and reduces the risk of security breaches.

Version updates mode: In this mode, Dependabot checks for new versions of dependencies and submits pull requests to update to the latest version when it is available. This can help developers take advantage of bug fixes and performance improvements in the latest versions of dependencies.

By using Dependabot, developers can automate the process of keeping their dependencies up-to-date and secure, saving time and effort.

Enable Dependabot for GitHub repository

In order to configure Dependabot for a GitHub repository, go to the settings for the Github repository which needs to be integrated with Dependabot. Under the code security and analysis section, there are multiple configurations related to Dependabot as shown below

We can configure alerts, Security Updates and Version Updates separately. 

Alternatively, you can also configure Dependabot by adding a .github/dependabot.yml file to your repository and specifying the desired configuration in the file. For more information on this method of configuration, see the Dependabot documentation.

Configure Package ecosystem

In the dependabot.yml file we need to configure the package ecosystem. This helps Dependabot to monitor the packages for any updates to the dependencies. Within the same project it is possible that there are more than one package manager used to manage dependencies like Node Package Manager (NPM) for Node package and Maven or Gradle for Java packages used for backend processing.

In the file, specify the package ecosystems that you want Dependabot to monitor under the package_ecosystems key. By configuring the package ecosystem setting for Dependabot, you can specify which package managers and package ecosystems Dependabot should monitor for updates. This can help ensure that Dependabot is monitoring the dependencies that are relevant to your project.

YouTube video demonstrating Dependabot usage

Check out this YouTube video which explains in detail how to configure the Dependabot for a GitHub repository.

Dependabot Pull Request for updated dependencies

When Dependabot detects that an update is available for a dependency in your project, it will create a pull request with the updated dependency. This pull request will contain a summary of the changes being proposed, including the current and new versions of the dependency, and a list of the files that will be modified.

It is up to the repository maintainer to review the pull request and decide whether to merge it. If the pull request is accepted, the updated dependency will be included in the project. If there are any conflicts with existing code, Dependabot will attempt to resolve them automatically, but in some cases, manual resolution may be required.

Creating pull requests for updated dependencies helps ensure that projects are using the most up-to-date and secure versions of their dependencies. It also allows for an easy way for repository maintainers to review and control changes to the dependencies in their project.

Below screenshots show different details reported in the Pull Request created by Dependabot for every dependency that is outdated in the project.

Summary of changes showing Release notes, Changelog, Commits, Compatibility issues and also commands and options.

Release notes

Changelog

Commits

Commands and Options

Advantages of using Dependabot to automatically update dependencies

There are several advantages to using Dependabot to automatically update dependencies:

Improved security: By regularly updating dependencies, Dependabot helps reduce the risk of security vulnerabilities in a project. It monitors dependencies for known vulnerabilities and submits pull requests to update to a secure version when a vulnerability is detected.

Improved stability: New versions of dependencies can often include bug fixes and performance improvements. By using Dependabot to update dependencies, developers can ensure that their project is using the most stable versions available.

Improved efficiency: Updating dependencies can be a time-consuming task, especially for larger projects with many dependencies. By automating the process with Dependabot, developers can save time and effort and focus on other tasks.

Improved control: Dependabot creates pull requests for updated dependencies, allowing repository maintainers to review and control changes to the dependencies in their project. This can help ensure that updates are thoroughly tested and do not cause conflicts with existing code.

Conclusion

Overall, Dependabot is a useful tool for developers to keep their project dependencies up-to-date and secure. By automating the process of updating dependencies, Dependabot helps developers improve the security, stability, efficiency, and control of their projects. It is a valuable resource for repository maintainers to ensure that their project is using the most recent and secure versions of dependencies and to easily review and control changes to those dependencies. As such, it is a tool that developers should consider using in their projects.

Until next time, Code with Passion and Strive for Excellence.

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Scan OpenSource libraries free with Mend

Background

Using free and open-source libraries can foster innovation in a number of ways. For one, it allows developers to easily incorporate pre-existing code into their projects, saving them time and effort that they can then redirect towards developing new features and functionality. Additionally, the open-source model promotes collaboration and sharing, which can lead to the creation of more powerful and sophisticated libraries as developers from around the world contribute their skills and knowledge. Finally, open-source libraries often have large and active communities of users and developers, which can provide valuable support, inspiration, and feedback for those looking to push the boundaries of innovation.

There are a few potential risks to be aware of when using open source libraries. One risk is the potential for vulnerabilities or security issues in the library code. It's important to regularly check for and update to the latest versions of the library to minimize this risk. We will see how to use Mend to scan open-source libraries for free. It integrates with GitHub making it very easy for developers to get real-time updates related to the open source dependencies.

Quick overview of Mend 

Mend is an open source library management platform that helps developers identify, track, and secure the open source libraries used in their projects. It provides real-time alerts for any potential security vulnerabilities or license compliance issues, and offers integration with a variety of tools such as GitHub and Azure DevOps. With Mend, developers can easily see the open source libraries they are using and ensure that they are up to date and secure, reducing the risks associated with using open source software. Mend is the next version of WhiteSource Bolt, and aims to provide a simple and effective way for developers to manage their open source dependencies.

Integrate Mend with GitHub

Mend helps developers get real-time security alerts and compliance issues on open source dependencies within GitHub. Once Mend is configured to a GitHub repository, it will continuously scan the codebase and identify any open source libraries that are being used. It will then check for any known vulnerabilities or license compliance issues associated with those libraries, and provide alerts to the developers through the GitHub interface. Apart from notifications within the GitHub interface, Mend is configured to automatically create issues related to the vulnerabilities. 

This allows developers to quickly and easily see any potential issues with the open source dependencies they are using, and take steps to address them. Mend is configured to automatically open issues with suggested fixes for any identified vulnerabilities, streamlining the process of addressing them. 

Enable Mend Bolt for GitHub

It is very easy to integrate Mend with GitHub. There is a GitHub application available named Mend Bolt for GitHub. We can configure it for all the repositories under a GitHub organisation or selectively configure Mend for individual repositories.

YouTube video showing Mend configuration and usage

Refer to the YouTube video which explains in detail the different steps required for configuring Mend for a GitHub repository.

Details shown in Mend issue related to vulnerabilities

For each of the vulnerabilities reported by mend, it provides detailed information with a summary, CVE information, transitive dependencies and recommended fixes if any. The screenshots below show these different characteristics of the Mend issue

How to fix vulnerabilities reported by Mend

If you have received a report of vulnerabilities from Mend, it is important to address them as soon as possible in order to secure your system and prevent potential attacks. The first step is to carefully review the report and understand the nature of the vulnerabilities and the potential risks they pose. Next, you should determine the best course of action to fix the vulnerabilities. It is also a good idea to test the fixes to ensure that they effectively address the vulnerabilities and do not cause any unintended issues. It is important to keep in mind that vulnerabilities can be exploited quickly, so it is crucial to prioritize and address them in a timely manner.

In the YouTube video above, I showed how to fix the reported vulnerability by upgrading the dependency version to a higher version with a fix. This is a manual step. In another video, I took this a step further and used another open source tool which integrates with GitHub named Dependabot to automatically update the outdated dependencies. Check out this video if you are interested to know more about it.

Advantages of using Mend

Mend helps organizations identify and address vulnerabilities in their systems. Some of the advantages of using Mend include:

Improved security: By regularly scanning for vulnerabilities, Mend can help organizations identify and fix potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.

Risk management: Mend can help organizations prioritize vulnerabilities based on their severity and the potential risks they pose, allowing them to focus their efforts on the most critical issues first.

Compliance: Many organizations are required to meet certain security standards in order to comply with regulations or industry standards. By using Mend, organizations can ensure that their systems are in compliance with these requirements.

Time and cost savings: Fixing vulnerabilities can be time-consuming and costly, especially if they are discovered after an attack has occurred. By using Mend to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities, organizations can save time and resources that would otherwise be spent on remediation.

Conclusion

Mend can help organizations improve their security posture and mitigate the risk of cyber attacks by identifying and fixing vulnerabilities in a timely and cost-effective manner. Cyber attacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and it is important to have tools in place to protect yourself and your organization from these threats. Mend is a powerful tool that can help you identify and address vulnerabilities in your systems before they can be exploited by attackers. By using Mend, you can improve your security posture, mitigate the risk of cyber attacks, and save time and resources that would otherwise be spent on remediation. Protecting your systems and data is crucial in today's digital world, and Mend is an excellent tool to help you do so.

Until next time, Code with Passion and Strive for Excellence.

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