[CRITICAL] Security vulnerability scanning and remediation [Size: S, Pr...

[devwif]

[CRITICAL] Implement Automated Security Vulnerability Scanning and Remediation in CI Pipeline

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🚨 Problem Statement

Currently, our CI pipeline lacks automated security vulnerability scanning, exposing the larp0/wallet-adapter repository to a high risk of unnoticed security issues, including potential compromise of wallet keys and user funds. This gap is critical for a project handling sensitive cryptographic assets in the Solana ecosystem.

Immediate goal: Integrate robust, automated vulnerability scanning and remediation mechanisms into the CI workflow to proactively detect, report, and help fix security issues in dependencies and code.

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🧠 Technical Context

• Repository: larp0/wallet-adapter
• Tech Stack: TypeScript (modular wallet adapters and React components for Solana apps)
• Current CI: No explicit security scanning or audit tools configured
• Risk: Wallet adapters handle sensitive keys/transactions → any vulnerability can lead to catastrophic breaches
• Existing tools: Build, test, lint pipelines already configured; scripts include test, lint, build, but no security audit
• Size & Complexity: ~250 files, monorepo style supporting multiple packages and examples
• Security Best Practices: Industry standards recommend integrating tools like npm audit, Snyk, Dependabot, or GitHub Actions security workflows to catch vulnerabilities early

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🎯 Implementation Plan

1. Baseline Assessment & Research

• Audit current dependency tree and codebase manually to identify immediate vulnerabilities using:
  • npm audit or yarn audit
  • snyk test (if applicable)
• Analyze results, prioritize fixable issues
• Research best practices for CI-integrated security scanning for TypeScript/Node.js projects, focusing on GitHub Actions or other CI providers used

2. Choose & Configure Automated Security Scanning Tool(s)

• Select one or more tools compatible with the current CI stack, e.g.:
  • GitHub Dependabot for automated dependency update PRs
  • GitHub Actions Security Scan workflows like CodeQL or npm audit step
  • Snyk CLI or OWASP Dependency-Check
• Configure these tools to run as part of the CI pipeline on:
  • Pull requests
  • Scheduled runs (e.g., weekly security scans)
• Ensure scanning covers:
  • Dependency vulnerabilities (npm packages, transitive deps)
  • Static code analysis for common security patterns (optional but recommended)

3. Integration with CI Workflow

• Update .github/workflows/ci.yml or equivalent:
  • Add job/stage for security scanning that fails the build on vulnerabilities above a defined threshold
  • Configure notifications or alerts for detected issues
• Ensure existing test/lint/build steps are not broken by new integration

4. Remediation & Fixes

• Address all high and critical vulnerabilities found by the scans:
  • Upgrade dependencies
  • Patch code if necessary
• Document temporary workarounds for vulnerabilities that cannot be immediately fixed
• Add or update .npmrc or equivalent to block unsafe package versions if needed

5. Documentation & Training

• Update CONTRIBUTING.md and internal docs to describe:
  • How the security scanning works
  • How to interpret scan reports
  • How to respond to alerts and fix vulnerabilities
• Include instructions on how to run scans locally for contributors

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🔧 Technical Specifications

• Tools:
  • npm audit or yarn audit integrated into CI steps
  • GitHub Dependabot configured via .github/dependabot.yml
  • GitHub Actions workflow using CodeQL or npm audit action
  • Optional: Snyk CLI integration with snyk test and snyk monitor
• CI Pipeline:
  • Failure threshold: CI should fail on vulnerabilities with severity high or above
  • Reports: Scan output should be saved as artifacts or annotated in PRs
• Security Policies:
  • Automate dependency updates via Dependabot with PR review process
  • Enforce security checks on all PRs before merge
• Code Quality:
  • Ensure no false positives block merges unnecessarily
  • Optimize scan speed to keep CI efficient

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✅ Acceptance Criteria

• Automated vulnerability scanning is integrated into CI pipeline and runs on all PRs and scheduled intervals
• Scanning tool(s) detect and report known vulnerabilities in dependencies and code
• CI pipeline fails builds on detection of high or greater severity vulnerabilities
• All current critical/high vulnerabilities have been identified and remediated or documented with mitigation steps
• Dependabot or equivalent is configured to automatically open PRs for vulnerable dependency updates
• Documentation updated with instructions for scanning, remediation, and contributor guidelines
• No regressions or CI failures introduced by the new security scanning steps
• Notify team/stakeholders about new security process and train on usage

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🧪 Testing Requirements

• Manual trigger of CI pipeline with known vulnerable dependency to verify detection and failure
• Validate Dependabot opens PRs for outdated/vulnerable packages
• Simulate vulnerability scanning failures and confirm CI failure and alerting
• Run all existing tests to ensure no breakage from dependency upgrades or new CI steps
• Cross-check scan reports for accuracy and completeness
• Confirm documentation clarity by walking through setup with a fresh clone

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📚 Documentation Updates

• Add/update SECURITY.md describing security scanning strategy and tools used
• Update CONTRIBUTING.md with security scanning workflow and remediation process
• Add notes in README.md about CI security scanning integration
• Document how to run scans locally and troubleshoot failures

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⚠️ Potential Challenges & Risks

• False positives blocking merges — needs tuning of scan sensitivity
• CI pipeline slowdowns due to scanning steps — requires optimization/caching
• Dependency upgrades causing breaking changes — must validate upgrades carefully
• Keeping scan tools and configurations up-to-date as ecosystem evolves
• Ensuring all team members understand and follow new security processes

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🔗 Resources & References

• GitHub Dependabot docs: https://docs.github.com/en/code-security/dependabot/dependabot-version-updates
• GitHub CodeQL Security Analysis: https://securitylab.github.com/tools/codeql
• npm audit CLI docs: https://docs.npmjs.com/cli/v9/commands/npm-audit
• Snyk vulnerability scanning: https://snyk.io/docs/
• OWASP Dependency-Check: https://owasp.org/www-project-dependency-check/
• Example CI integration with security scanning: https://github.com/actions/setup-node#security-audit

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Let's make this wallet adapter fortress-level secure — no key left behind, no vulnerability unscanned! 💥🔐

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