Product Overview of Semmle (now part of GitHub)
Introduction
Semmle, now integrated into GitHub, is a revolutionary code analysis platform designed to identify and mitigate security vulnerabilities in software systems. Acquired by GitHub in September 2019, Semmle’s technology has been seamlessly incorporated into GitHub’s security features, enhancing the platform’s capability to ensure the security and integrity of codebases.
Key Features and Functionality
Semantic Code Analysis Engine
Semmle’s core technology is its semantic code analysis engine, which treats code as data rather than text. This approach leverages the latest research in compiler optimization and database implementation, allowing for sophisticated queries to be executed on large codebases. The engine uses a declarative, object-oriented query language called Semmle QL, which is similar in syntax to SQL and enables developers to write queries that identify specific code patterns and vulnerabilities.
Variant Analysis
One of the standout features of Semmle is its variant analysis capability. This technique involves identifying vulnerabilities by starting from a known vulnerability and then searching for similar patterns across the codebase. This process, which is typically manual and time-consuming, is automated by Semmle QL, allowing developers to find and eradicate multiple instances of the same vulnerability with a single query.
Continuous Code Analysis
Semmle’s platform, known as LGTM (Large-Scale Technology for Machine Learning), integrates continuous code analysis into the development workflow. This integration enables developers to run thousands of open-source queries as part of their automatic Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) pipelines, particularly through GitHub Actions. This ensures that vulnerabilities are detected and addressed in real-time, preventing them from entering the main codebase.
Community-Driven Approach
Semmle fosters a community-driven approach to security. Security researchers can share queries with the Semmle community, contributing to a large library of reusable queries. This collaborative environment enhances the security of various codebases by leveraging the collective knowledge and efforts of the developer community.
Multi-Language Support
Semmle QL supports a wide range of programming languages, including C, C , C#, COBOL, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, and Python, with support for Go in development. This broad language support makes it a versatile tool for diverse development environments.
Integration with GitHub
The integration with GitHub allows Semmle’s capabilities to be accessed directly through GitHub’s platform. This includes features such as automated security fixes, token scanning, and secret scanning, all of which are designed to secure the software supply chain. GitHub’s status as a Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) Numbering Authority further streamlines the process of reporting and managing vulnerabilities directly from the repository.
AI-Powered Auto-Remediation
GitHub’s security features, powered by Semmle, include AI-powered auto-remediation. This capability helps in prioritizing alerts, viewing exposure across the codebase, and automatically resolving security issues, thereby reducing the manual effort required to maintain code security.
Conclusion
Semmle, now an integral part of GitHub’s security offerings, provides a powerful and automated solution for identifying and mitigating security vulnerabilities in software systems. Its semantic code analysis engine, variant analysis capabilities, and community-driven approach make it an essential tool for ensuring the security and integrity of codebases across various industries.