Is Your Open Source Project at Risk? How OpenSSF’s Scorecard Exposes Hidden Security Flaws

Published July 17, 2025 | By Matt

Open source is everywhere—fueling apps, businesses, and even government systems. But is the code you rely on really secure? Recent security headlines have shown that even the most popular open source projects can hide dangerous flaws. That’s where OpenSSF’s Scorecard comes in. Think of it as a free, automated security checkup that can reveal problems before they become your next big headache. Here’s how it works—and why every maintainer and user should care.

Why Security in Open Source Matters More Than Ever

Major breaches like Log4j and SolarWinds have proven one thing: supply chain attacks can strike anyone, anywhere. Every time you include a new dependency or use open source libraries, you inherit not just their features, but their vulnerabilities. Even small weaknesses—like missing security policies or outdated dependencies—can open the door for attackers. The stakes are higher than ever, and “trust but verify” is the new rule.

What is the OpenSSF Scorecard?

The Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) is an industry-backed group dedicated to making open source safer for everyone. Their Scorecard tool scans public repositories and provides an instant, easy-to-understand assessment of project security health. Backed by major companies like Google, GitHub, and Microsoft, Scorecard helps maintainers and users alike spot risks, fix problems, and build trust.

How Does Scorecard Work?

Scorecard performs dozens of automated security checks on your repository. Here’s how the process works:

Scan: You run Scorecard (manually, via CLI, or with GitHub Actions) on any public repo.
Checks: Scorecard reviews policies, code review settings, dependency management, branch protection, and more.
Report: It generates a detailed score (0–10) with pass/fail and improvement suggestions for each check.
Action: Maintainers (and users!) can review, fix, and monitor project security posture over time.

Scorecard Checks: What Gets Scored?

Check	What It Looks For	Why It Matters	Pass/Fail Example
Code-Review	Are pull requests required and reviewed before merging?	Prevents unauthorized or malicious code changes	Pass: All PRs require review. Fail: Direct pushes allowed.
Branch Protection	Is the main branch protected from force pushes or deletions?	Prevents accidental or malicious changes to critical code	Pass: Protection enabled. Fail: Anyone can force-push.
Dependency Update Tool	Is there automation for updating dependencies?	Keeps your code safe from outdated/vulnerable packages	Pass: Dependabot enabled. Fail: Manual, infrequent updates.
Vulnerability Disclosure	Is there a documented process for reporting vulnerabilities?	Helps the community fix problems quickly and responsibly	Pass: SECURITY.md present. Fail: No disclosure info.
Binary-Artifacts	Does the repo avoid committing binary files (e.g., .exe)?	Reduces risk of hidden malware in the codebase	Pass: Only source code. Fail: Executables in repo.
Fuzzing/Static Analysis	Does the project use tools to find bugs automatically?	Catches security and stability issues early	Pass: Automated bug checks. Fail: None in place.

Real-World Impact: Why This Matters

Scorecard’s checks aren’t just for show—they’re already helping major companies and open source maintainers secure their code. With supply chain attacks on the rise, automating these checks is quickly becoming the industry norm. By running Scorecard, you’re not just protecting your own project—you’re helping secure the entire open source ecosystem.

How to Run Scorecard On Your Project

Install or access Scorecard (from the OpenSSF GitHub or as a GitHub Action).
Point it at your public repo. Run from the command line or automate in your CI/CD pipeline.
Get your numeric score and detailed report, including suggestions for each failing check.
Take action! Improve your score by following the recommendations, then re-scan as needed.

A strong Scorecard not only makes your project safer, but also builds trust with users, contributors, and businesses.

Scorecard Success Stories

OpenSSF Scorecard is used by thousands of maintainers and some of the world’s biggest companies to track, improve, and showcase open source security. Projects with high scores are more likely to attract contributors and enterprise adoption. Public results and badges give everyone more confidence in the health of your repo.

FAQs: What Every Maintainer and Developer Should Know

Who can use Scorecard?
Anyone with access to a public repository can run Scorecard. It’s free and open source.

Does a low score mean my project is unsafe?
Not always, but it means there are areas for improvement. Treat it as an opportunity to level up your security.

Can I automate Scorecard checks?
Yes! Add Scorecard to your CI/CD pipeline or as a GitHub Action for ongoing monitoring.

Conclusion & Call to Action

Don’t wait for your open source project to make security headlines for the wrong reasons. Take a proactive approach—run OpenSSF Scorecard, fix what’s flagged, and show your commitment to safe, trustworthy code. Ready to check your repo? Try Scorecard today and see where you stand!