Infrastructure as Code and Scanning Tools

Infrastructure as Code (IaC)

IaC is a game-changer for modern infrastructure management. It allows you to define your infrastructure setup through version-controlled code files. Your chosen IaC tool (In this instance “Terraform” or “YAML”) then ensures your actual infrastructure matches the desired state in those files. This approach speeds up provisioning, enhances repeatability, and simplifies the detection of configuration drift.

But here’s the catch—IaC files aren’t immune to errors. From small typos, like misspelling a resource name, to critical mistakes, such as unintentionally making private resources public, misconfigurations can easily sneak in.

That’s where IaC scanning tools come in. These tools analyze your configuration files for potential issues, letting you catch and fix problems before they’re applied to your infrastructure. This not only boosts reliability but also minimizes the risk of security breaches.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to 10 of the best IaC scanning tools to help you secure and streamline your infrastructure management.

What Is an IaC Scanning Tool?

IaC scanning tools are specialized software solutions designed to analyze IaC templates, scripts, and configurations for:

     •           Misconfigurations

     •           Security vulnerabilities

     •           Compliance violations

     •           Deviations from best practices

By running a scan before deploying new infrastructure, you can ensure your changes work as intended without introducing risks.

Types of IaC Scanners:

IaC scanners generally fall into these categories:

     •           Linters: Catch basic syntax errors, formatting issues, and simple bugs.

     •           Static Code Analysis (SCA): Dive deeper to detect more nuanced misconfigurations and potential bugs.

     •           Vulnerability Scanners: Identify known vulnerabilities, like outdated dependencies with CVEs.

     •           Static Application Security Testers (SAST): Combine SCA and vulnerability scanning for a detailed security analysis, including risky coding practices.

These tools, traditionally used for app development, are just as valuable for operations teams managing IaC. Scanning during development helps you detect and resolve issues early, reducing the chances of downtime or breaches in live environments.

Choosing the Right IaC Scanner

Some teams opt for all-in-one tools combining SAST, SCA, and linting, while others prefer specialized solutions for each function. Either way, ensure your scanners are compatible with all the IaC frameworks and tools you use—this prevents coverage gaps that could leave parts of your infrastructure exposed.

Top 10 IaC Scanning Tools to Try:

Here’s a quick guide to 10 of the leading IaC scanners to get you started:

            1.   Checkov

             •    Open-source static analysis for IaC templates.

             •    Supports Terraform, CloudFormation, Kubernetes, and more.

             •    Customizable rules in YAML or Python.

             •    Integrates with CI/CD tools like GitHub Actions.

             •    Website: Checkov.io

Price/license: Free (Open-source)

            2.   KICS (Keeping Infrastructure as Code Secure)

             •    Static analysis for IaC files including Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes.

             •    Includes over 2,000 pre-built heuristics.

             •    Easy-to-use Docker image for quick setup.

             •    Website: KICS.io

Price/license: Free (Open-source)

            3.   Terrascan

             •    Offers static analysis and live environment drift detection.

             •    Extensive policy library based on industry standards.

             •    Supports multicloud environments.

             •    Website: RunTerrascan.io

Price/license: Free (Open source)

            4.   TFLint

             •    Lightweight linter for Terraform-specific checks.

             •    Ideal for quick, core Terraform validation.

             •    Extensible with custom plugins.

             •    Website: TFLint on GitHub

Price/license: Free (Open source)

            5.   tfsec (Now part of Trivy)

             •    Security-focused static analysis for Terraform.

             •    Highlights potential vulnerabilities pre-deployment.

             •    Website: tfsec

Price/license: Free (Open source)

            6.   Trivy

             •    All-in-one vulnerability scanner for containers, IaC, and dependencies.

             •    Website: Trivy

Price/license: Free (Open source)

            7.   GitHub Advanced Security

             •    Built-in IaC security scanning in GitHub runners.

             •    Easy integration for GitHub development flow.

             •    Website: GitHub Advanced Security

Price/license: GitHub Advance security subscription required, limited functionality on basic plan for community public repos.

            8.   Kubescape

             •    Focused on Kubernetes security and compliance.

             •    Provides visual risk analysis dashboards.

             •    Website: Kubescape.io

Price/license: Free tier and paid subscription

            9.   Kube-Linter

             •    Kubernetes-focused linter to check YAML manifests for best practices.

             •    Website: Kube-Linter

Price/license: Free (Open source)

            10.    Spectral

•      AI-powered tool for detecting secrets, misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities in IaC.

•  Website: Spectralops.io

Price/license: Pricing varies depending on the number of developers contributing code within a 90-day period.

This list isn’t exhaustive, but it’s a great starting point to secure your IaC practices and improve your workflows. Whether you’re new to IaC or looking to refine your setup, these tools can help you prevent issues before they affect your infrastructure.

Happy scanning!

Code To Cloud Team