scanning-container-images-with-grype

name	scanning-container-images-with-grype
description	Scans container images, filesystems, and SBOMs for known CVEs using Anchore Grype, matching Syft-generated SBOM packages against NVD, GitHub Advisories, and OS-specific vulnerability feeds with configurable severity thresholds. Use when running a security assessment or incident-response check that requires scanning container images for known vulnerabilities with Grype.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	container-security
tags	["grype","vulnerability-scanning","container-security","sbom","anchore","supply-chain"]
version	1.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.PS-01","PR.IR-01","ID.AM-08","DE.CM-01"]
mitre_attack	["T1610","T1611","T1609","T1525","T1195"]

Scanning Container Images with Grype

Overview

Grype is an open-source vulnerability scanner from Anchore that inspects container images, filesystems, and SBOMs for known CVEs. It leverages Syft-generated SBOMs to match packages against multiple vulnerability databases including NVD, GitHub Advisories, and OS-specific feeds.

When to Use

• When conducting security assessments that involve scanning container images with grype
• When following incident response procedures for related security events
• When performing scheduled security testing or auditing activities
• When validating security controls through hands-on testing

Prerequisites

• Docker or Podman installed
• Grype CLI installed (curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anchore/grype/main/install.sh | sh -s -- -b /usr/local/bin)
• Syft CLI (optional, for SBOM generation)
• Network access to pull vulnerability databases

Core Commands

Install Grype

# Install via script
curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/anchore/grype/main/install.sh | sh -s -- -b /usr/local/bin

# Verify installation
grype version

# Install via Homebrew (macOS/Linux)
brew install grype

Scan Container Images

# Scan a Docker Hub image
grype nginx:latest

# Scan from Docker daemon
grype docker:myapp:1.0

# Scan a local archive
grype docker-archive:image.tar

# Scan an OCI directory
grype oci-dir:path/to/oci/

# Scan a Singularity image
grype sif:image.sif

# Scan a local directory / filesystem
grype dir:/path/to/project

Output Formats

# Default table output
grype alpine:3.18

# JSON output for pipeline processing
grype alpine:3.18 -o json > results.json

# CycloneDX SBOM output
grype alpine:3.18 -o cyclonedx

# SARIF output for GitHub Security tab
grype alpine:3.18 -o sarif > grype.sarif

# Template-based custom output
grype alpine:3.18 -o template -t /path/to/template.tmpl

Filtering and Thresholds