In modern software development, open-source components or dependencies are fundamental to rapid innovation. Developers typically choose these components based on personal experience, research or guidance from technical leads. However, once integrated, these dependencies often recede into the background.
Over time, these dependencies can accumulate technical debt, turning into neglected assets that may introduce bugs or security vulnerabilities.
Proactive dependency management is crucial for maintaining secure, high-quality software. I recently discussed this topic at All Day DevOps (ADDO) 2024. Read further to learn more about common pitfalls, key statistics and best practices to stay ahead of potential issues.
The Hidden Cost of Neglected Dependencies
While software dependencies play a vital role in modern applications, they can also introduce significant risks if not managed proactively.
Here are some key statistics that illustrate the impact of neglecting dependency management:
- Each application has six to 10 direct dependencies, which balloon to 180 total dependencies when accounting for transitive dependencies.
- 80% of application dependencies go un-upgraded for over a year, exposing software to bugs and security vulnerabilities.
- Each project releases an average of 15 new versions per year, and developers spend about two hours on each dependency version upgrade.
- This adds up to 300 hours per application per year — a significant investment of time that could be reduced with better automation and management
Vulnerabilities Lurking in Outdated Dependencies
One of the most critical issues with unaddressed dependencies is their potential to introduce security vulnerabilities.
Even when fixes are available, many organizations fail to update their dependencies on time. A full 96% of vulnerable releases downloaded had a fixed version available.
The notorious Log4Shell vulnerability of the Log4j component is a prime example. Despite the well-publicized risk and the availability of patches, 13% of Log4j downloads in 2024 are still vulnerable versions.
This statistic underscores the importance of staying vigilant about dependency updates, especially with critical components that could expose applications to significant risks.
Automating Dependency Management for Reliability and Security
Proactive dependency management can be a daunting task, but automation offers a solution. Automated systems can monitor dependencies and flag updates, helping teams stay ahead of vulnerabilities and ensure compatibility.
However, not all automation is equal. To be effective, automated solutions must take into account API compatibility to prevent broken builds and reduce upgrade time. Without this, a typical two-hour upgrade can balloon, disrupting other priority work.
Another valuable input to automate solutions is the popularity of open-source components. Popular components exhibit 63% more identified vulnerabilities but also address 54% more and resolve them 32% faster than less-known components. While popular projects undergo more rigorous scrutiny, they typically make updates more accessible, which becomes incredibly powerful when those updates can be integrated through automation.
The Impact of Transitive Dependencies
One of the most challenging aspects of dependency management is the ripple effect that changes made to direct dependencies can have on transitive dependencies.
Managing only 10 direct dependencies can impact up to 170 transitive ones, forming a complex web of interconnected components that require vigilant monitoring and updates. Overlooking this intricacy can lead to significant issues, such as build failures, bugs and security vulnerabilities.
For this reason, automating dependency management is essential for reducing the risk of unexpected failures. Automated tools that provide visibility into the full dependency graph enable developers to assess the impact of updates and take action before problems arise.
Best Practices for Proactive Dependency Management
A key takeaway from the presentation is that proactive dependency management is not just about staying on top of updates — it is about creating a strategy that minimizes risk while improving software quality.
Here are a few best practices that can help:
- Automate dependency updates: Leverage automation tools to track and update dependencies across your applications. By automating routine updates, you can reduce the manual workload on your team and minimize the risk of vulnerabilities.
- Monitor for vulnerabilities: Regularly scan your dependencies for known vulnerabilities and ensure that you are updating to secure versions as soon as they become available. This is especially important for popular open-source components, which are frequently targeted by attackers.
- Assess API compatibility: Ensure that your automation tools account for API compatibility to avoid broken builds and wasted time. This will help keep your development process smooth and efficient.
- Focus on transitive dependencies: Don’t just manage your direct dependencies — make sure to monitor the transitive dependencies that they introduce into your These hidden dependencies can often be the source of critical issues if left unmanaged.
Staying Ahead of Technical Debt and Security Risks
Ignoring your dependencies is not an option. The statistics presented show the consequences of failing to manage dependencies proactively. By adopting best practices and embracing automation, you can reduce technical debt, improve software quality and avoid costly security breaches.
Managing dependencies isn’t just best practice, it is an essential ongoing process. Implement these strategies in your projects to stay ahead of potential issues and ensure your software remains reliable, secure and up to date.
