Question 1

How long does dependency scanning add to my CI pipeline?

Accepted Answer

Scanning a typical lockfile (500–1,000 packages) takes 15–30 seconds. The paths filter ensures the scan only runs when lockfiles change, so most PRs skip it entirely. Network latency to the vulnerability database is the main variable — OSV queries are fast (under 2 seconds for batch lookups), but self-hosted mirrors eliminate that dependency if speed is critical.

Question 2

Should I fail the build on any vulnerability, or only critical ones?

Accepted Answer

Start with a high threshold (KEV-only or EPSS > 0.3) and tighten gradually. Failing on every CVSS "moderate" finding will generate so many false alarms that developers start ignoring the gate — or worse, they'll add blanket suppressions that hide real issues. The goal is a gate that fires rarely but means something when it does.

Question 3

What about transitive dependencies — should I scan those too?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Transitive dependencies account for roughly 80% of the average project's dependency tree and contain the same proportion of vulnerabilities. Any scanner worth using resolves the full dependency graph from your lockfile. If your tool only scans direct dependencies listed in package.json or requirements.txt, you're missing most of your attack surface.

Question 4

Can I use GitHub's built-in Dependabot instead of a custom workflow?

Accepted Answer

Dependabot creates PRs for outdated dependencies, but it doesn't act as a CI gate — it won't fail your build when you merge a vulnerable package. It also lacks EPSS enrichment, so it can't distinguish a CVSS 9.8 that nobody exploits from a CVSS 4.0 that's on CISA KEV. Use Dependabot for automated version bumps, but add a scanning gate for security decisions. For a detailed comparison, see Dependabot vs GeekWala.

Question 5

How do I handle a vulnerability with no available fix?

Accepted Answer

Some CVEs affect packages where the maintainer hasn't released a patch. Your options: (1) check if the vulnerable code path is reachable in your usage — if not, allowlist with an expiry; (2) find an alternative package that provides the same functionality; (3) if neither works, document the risk with a time-bound review date. Never leave a known-exploited vulnerability unaddressed because a patch doesn't exist yet — isolation, WAF rules, or architecture changes can reduce exposure while you wait for the fix.

Question 6

Does scanning slow down my deployment frequency?

Accepted Answer

If your scan adds 30 seconds to a 10-minute CI pipeline, no. If it blocks deploys for findings that aren't actually dangerous, yes — but that's a threshold problem, not a scanning problem. Set your failure criteria based on EPSS and KEV status, not raw CVSS scores, and the gate will fire infrequently enough that it doesn't bottleneck your release cadence.

Question 7

What's the difference between scanning in CI and using a SaaS vulnerability scanner?

Accepted Answer

CI scanning runs at build time against your lockfile snapshot. SaaS platforms run continuously against your registered projects and can alert you to new CVEs between builds. They're complementary: CI gates prevent vulnerable dependencies from merging, and continuous monitoring catches disclosures that happen after merge. The combination gives you the tightest detection window.

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