Best 5 Tools to Help Eliminate CVEs from Container Images

Key Takeaways

• Automated CVE scanning from build to runtime is no longer optional.
• The right tools eliminate friction, integrate with modern workflows, and turn detection into rapid remediation.
• Continuous monitoring, context-aware prioritization, and real developer empowerment are the hallmarks of best-in-class container security.

Containers have revolutionized DevOps, making it easier to build, deploy, and manage applications. However, this agility comes at a cost: containers can be a vector for security vulnerabilities, specifically Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), which can compromise the integrity, confidentiality, and availability of your applications.

CVEs are publicly disclosed cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exposures found in software. Since containers bundle applications with all their dependencies into a single package, even a single vulnerable library or outdated base image can be the weak link that exposes your organization to security risks.

The solution? Automated, high-fidelity vulnerability scanning and remediation embedded into your container lifecycle.

Why CVEs Pose a Unique Risk in Containers

Before exploring the solutions, let’s understand the problem at hand. Containers are built on images that may include operating system packages, language libraries, and third-party dependencies. Any of these components may contain vulnerable code, and traditional security controls often don’t provide visibility inside containers.

Key Challenges

• Containers are ephemeral and multiply rapidly, complicating traditional security scans.
• Images may still contain outdated packages from upstream sources.
• Developers may unknowingly include third-party dependencies with known CVEs.
• Manual remediation does not scale with the velocity of DevOps pipelines.

The Best Tools to Help Eliminate CVEs from Container Images

1. Echo

Echo is an emerging innovative platform focused on cloud-native application security, particularly for container images. Its primary strength lies in real-time vulnerability scanning paired with actionable remediation advice, making it easier for development and operations teams to address CVEs before deployment.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Scanning: Echo analyzes container images as soon as they are built or imported.
• Deep Dependency Analysis: Goes beyond surface-level scanning by investigating all OS packages and language-specific dependencies.
• Actionable Remediation: Step-by-step guides and links to patched components.
• CI/CD Integration: Supports Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, and other platforms.
• Continuous Monitoring: Watches running containers and clusters for new disclosures.

2. Wiz

Wiz is best known as a comprehensive cloud security platform covering everything from infrastructure posture management to workload and data security. In the context of containers, Wiz’s vulnerability management module delivers robust scanning and remediation.

Key Features:

• Agentless Scanning: Scans container images directly from registries and cloud environments.
• Broad CVE Coverage: Detects zero-days and known CVEs from multiple feeds.
• Risk Prioritization: Ranks CVEs by exploitability, reachability, and business context.
• Cloud Integration: Deep integration with AWS, Azure, GCP, and Kubernetes clusters.
• Remediation Collaboration: Groups findings and provides prescriptive fixes.

3. SentinelOne

SentinelOne is recognized for its autonomous threat detection powered by AI and behavioral analytics. Their container security offering extends protection to cloud-native applications, focusing on vulnerability scanning and runtime defense.

Key Features:

• Automated Image Scanning: Integrated into CI/CD pipelines.
• Runtime Protection: Monitors and remediates live container environments.
• Attack Surface Reduction: Quarantines containers with critical vulnerabilities.
• Unified Visibility: Single dashboard for hosts, VMs, and containers.
• Threat Intelligence Integration: Enriches vulnerability data and flags zero-days.

4. Snyk Container

Snyk is a developer-centric security platform focused on open source and container security. Its container offering is trusted for usability, detailed fix recommendations, and integration throughout the software development lifecycle.

Key Features:

• Comprehensive Image Scanning: Covers base OS, dependencies, Dockerfiles, and configs.
• Developer-Friendly Fixes: Suggests direct edits or PRs with secure versions.
• Real-Time CVE Database: Updated frequently with new disclosures.
• Integration Everywhere: Works with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Docker Hub, CI/CD.
• Policy Controls: Define thresholds, enforce rules, and block vulnerable images.

5. Grype

Grype is a popular open-source vulnerability scanner purpose-built for container images and filesystems, developed by Anchore. It stands out for simplicity, efficiency, and flexibility.

Key Features:

• Open Source: No vendor lock-in.
• Rich Ecosystem Support: Scans Docker, OCI, Alpine, Deb, RPM, etc.
• Extensible Integration: CLI or embedded in pipelines.
• Up-to-Date Feeds: Syncs with NVD and distribution-maintained databases.
• Flexible Reporting: JSON, table, or custom formats for CI tools and dashboards.

CVE Management Best Practices

Eliminating CVEs from container images is more than tooling—it’s a cultural and procedural shift. Here are industry best practices:

1. Shift Left Security
   
   Embed image scanning early in the lifecycle to reduce risk.

2. Continuous Automation and Policy Enforcement
   
   Automate scans on every build or image push. Fail builds if critical CVEs appear.

3. Track and Scan Third-Party Dependencies
   
   Use tools that analyze external libraries and frameworks.

4. Integrate with Ticketing and Workflow Systems
   
   Convert findings into tickets (e.g., Jira, GitHub Issues, ServiceNow).

5. Monitor in Production
   
   Pair static image scanning with runtime monitoring for new vulnerabilities.

6. Remediate with Prioritization
   
   Fix first what’s most exploitable, internet-facing, or business-critical.

7. Foster DevSecOps Collaboration
   
   Choose tools that fit developer, DevOps, and security workflows.

Final Thoughts

Eliminating CVEs from your container images is non-negotiable for modern application security. By automating this process with tools like Echo, security becomes part of your software DNA, not an afterthought. Select the best mix of tools based on your stack, threat model, and team preferences, and make vulnerability management a continuous, collaborative, and automated part of your DevOps culture.

Remember: The weakest link in your container ecosystem could be a simple, fixable CVE. Act proactively, scan, remediate, and monitor constantly.