Provenance

A software provenance attestation is a signed document that associates metadata with an artifact, encompassing details like the artifact’s origin, build steps, and dependencies. This information is critical for verifying the artifact’s authenticity and integrity. Featuring a cryptographic signature, provenance attestation ensures the document remains unaltered, playing a vital role in mitigating supply chain attacks. By scrutinizing the provenance of binaries, users can thwart the execution of malicious code on their systems. Let’s delve into some concrete examples:

In the ever-evolving landscape of open-source software development, the creation and distribution of artifacts—such as compiled binaries, libraries, and documentation—represent the tangible results of a multifaceted process. These artifacts are more than just a collection of code; they are the final product of myriad decisions, alterations, and contributions, each with its unique narrative. It’s essential to grasp these narratives or the provenance of these artifacts, to secure the supply chain effectively. Moreover, the integrity and security of these artifacts are paramount, as they underpin the trust and reliability users expect. This post aims to demystify the concept of provenance for these released artifacts. We will delve into why a comprehensive understanding of their origins and the path they take—examined through the lens of the journalistic 5W1H (Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How)—is crucial for enhancing the security posture of an open source project’s supply chain.