Code (IaC), security, and compliance are gaining more importance in the ever-evolving infrastructure landscape. As organizations increasingly rely on cloud infrastructure, the need for robust scanning tools to detect misconfigurations and vulnerabilities becomes even more critical. Among the leading contenders in this arena are Checkov, tfsec, and Terrascan. Each tool brings its own set of features, strengths, and approaches to IaC scanning.
In this blog, we delve into a comparative analysis of these three tools to determine the best choice for safeguarding your infrastructure deployments.
What Exactly is an IaC Scan Tool?
An IaC scan tool is crucial for modern infrastructure management in cloud computing. It ensures security, compliance, and reliability by analyzing configuration files in languages like Terraform or CloudFormation. Automating code analysis uncovers vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance issues before deployment, enhancing system stability and performance. As cloud infrastructures grow in complexity, IaC scan tools are essential for safeguarding digital assets and maintaining compliance.
What IaC Scanning Tools are Available?
Three widely recognized IaC scanning tools are Checkov, tfsec, and Terrascan. They help identify vulnerabilities and promote best practices across Terraform, CloudFormation, Kubernetes, and more. However, they may have limitations and false positives.
In the following sections, we’ll briefly compare these three tools before closely examining each one individually.
Checkov
- A versatile tool supporting multiple IaC languages like Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes.
- A robust library of checks for security best practices, compliance adherence, and misconfigurations.
- Ensures adherence to high-security standards.
tfsec
- Specifically designed for Terraform configurations.
- Excels at static code analysis.
- Pinpoints potential security issues, misconfigurations, and unused resources.
- Streamlines Terraform code and enhances security posture.
Terrascan
- A comprehensive tool supporting Terraform, CloudFormation, Kubernetes YAML, and Helm charts.
- Offers a multi-layered security approach with checks, compliance scanning, and dependency analysis.
- Identifies vulnerabilities, ensures compliance, and manages dependencies effectively.
- Versatile tool supporting multiple IaC languages like Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes.
Comparing Checkov vs. tfsec vs. Terrascan
| Factor | Checkov | tfsec | Terrascan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open source | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Language | Python | Go | Go |
| GitHub Stars | 6.5k | 6.5k | 4.5k |
| Backed By | Bridgecrew | Aqua Security | Tenable |
| Latest Version | v3.2.5 | v1.28.5 | v1.18.11 |
| IaC Frameworks Supported | Terraform, CloudFormation, Kubernetes, Helm charts, Dockerfile, CloudFormation | Terraform | Terraform, CloudFormation, ARM Templates, Kubernetes, Helm , Kustomize, Dockerfiles |
| Available Rules | Largest library, Pre-built (2000+) | Pre-built Approx (300+) | Modular with pre-built & custom OPA, Pre-built (300+), community-contributed, custom (YAML) |
| Severity Levels | Paid tiers only (Low, Medium, High, Critical) | Free & Paid (Low, Medium, High, Critical) | Free (Low, Medium, High, Critical) |
| Scan Type | HCL or PLAN | HCL | HCL |
| Custom Checks Language | Python & YAML + UI Editor (Only available in Enterprise) | YAML | (Rego & Json)- Both Required, Leverages OPA engine |
| Output / Reporting | CLI, JSON, JUnit, XML, Sarif | HTML, JSON, CSV, Sarif, Markdown | HTML, JSON, CSV, Sarif, Markdown |
| Documentation | – Extensive – After scan, reference doc is available for fixes. |
– Good, community forum. – After scan, reference doc is available for fixes. – Some doc may be not valid. |
– Good – After scan, reference doc is NOT available for fixes. |
| Direct CI/CD Integration | GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Jenkins | GitHub, Jenkins | GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins |
| VS Code Extension | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ignore Checks | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Community | Large and active | Active | Growing |
| Compliance Coverage | Extensive (PCI DSS, HIPAA, CIS, GDPR, NIST) | SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA. | Security best practices, aligning with SOC 2 controls. |
| Security Focus | Cloud security, compliance, vulnerability detection | Infrastructure security best practices | Compliance, security violations, misconfigurations |
| Supported Cloud | AWS, GCP, AZURE, ALI, ORACLE | AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle | AWS, Azure, Google Cloud |
Conclusion
Checkov, tfsec, and Terrascan each offer strong security options for infrastructure deployments. Checkov supports multiple IaC languages for broad compliance enforcement. tfsec specializes in Terraform for detailed security analysis. Terrascan provides vulnerability scanning and compliance checks across various IaC formats. Organizations should consider language support, security needs, and deployment complexity when selecting the right tool to enhance cloud infrastructure security and compliance.
Let us know in the comment section if you have any questions or feedback.
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Blog Pundits: Naveen Verma and Sandeep Rawat
OpsTree is an End-to-End DevOps Solution Provider.