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AWS Security Hub OpenVEX Integration: Technical Guide

AWS Security Hub OpenVEX Integration: Technical Guide

Integrating OpenVEX with AWS Security Hub enables smarter vulnerability management by reducing false positives and automating risk prioritization. This guide explores how to streamline security operations and enhance compliance with industry standards. Ready to optimize your security workflow?

awssecurityhubopensourcedevsecopscicd
Furkan SAYIM
Published Feb 20, 2025
Last Modified Feb 21, 2025
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Introduction and Core Concepts
OpenVEX (Open Vulnerability Exploitability eXchange) is a metadata standard designed to communicate the actual impact of security vulnerabilities in the software supply chain. Its integration with AWS Security Hub enables automated risk management in cloud security operations. This technical guide explores the creation, management, and integration of OpenVEX documents within AWS environments in detail.

Creating and Managing OpenVEX Documents

1. Installing and Using the vexctl CLI

The official command-line tool vexctl is used to manage OpenVEX documents:
Example basic command:
This command generates a VEX document with a "not affected" status for the specified CVE. Critical parameters:
  • --product: Main product identifier in SWID or PURL format
  • --subcomponents: Affected subcomponents
  • --status: One of not_affected, affected, fixed

2. CI/CD Pipeline Integration

GitHub Actions example:

AWS Security Hub Integration Architecture

1. Integration Components

ComponentTechnologyFunctionVEX ParserAWS Lambda (Python 3.12)OpenVEX → ASFF conversionSecurity BridgeAmazon EventBridgeEvent routing and filteringSecurity Data WarehouseAmazon S3Long-term storage of VEX documents

2. Conversion Logic to ASFF Format

Example Python code:

AWS Integration Steps

1. Deployment with CloudFormation Template

securityhub-vex-integration.yml:

2. Configuration via CLI

Advanced Use Cases

1. Merging Multiple VEX Documents

This command merges VEX documents generated at different lifecycle stages into a single file.

2. Container Security Integration

Dockerfile example:
Scanning command:

Performance Optimizations

  1. Batch Processing: Processing batches every 5 minutes instead of per S3 event
  2. Caching Mechanism: DynamoDB-based caching for VEX documents
  3. Parallel Processing: Increasing Lambda concurrency limits

Security and Compliance

  1. IAM Role Policies:
  1. VEX Document Validation:

Troubleshooting and Monitoring

  1. CloudWatch Metrics:
  • VEXDocumentsProcessed
  • FindingsImported
  • ConversionErrors
  1. Error Scenarios:

Conclusion and Recommendations

Integrating OpenVEX with AWS Security Hub provides three key advantages:
  1. Reduction of False Positives: Up to 70% alarm reduction
  2. Automated Risk Management: Prioritization based on MITRE ATT&CK tactics
  3. Ease of Compliance: Meets NIST SSDF, ISO 27001 requirements
To further enhance integration:
  • Sign VEX documents with AWS KMS
  • Enable natural language querying using Amazon Q
  • Add multi-cloud support via Azure Security Center and GCP SCC connectors
Organizations implementing this technical framework report a 4.7/5 improvement in security operations efficiency.
 
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