Socket takes a different approach to SCA by focusing on supply chain attacks. Instead of checking dependencies against CVE databases, it analyzes what packages actually do at the code level. This catches malicious behavior, typosquatting, and supply chain attacks before any vulnerability is disclosed.
Traditional SCA tools wait for someone to discover and report a vulnerability. Socket catches threats proactively by inspecting package behavior: network access, filesystem operations, shell execution, and obfuscated code. If a package does something suspicious, Socket flags it regardless of whether a CVE exists.
What is Socket?
Socket monitors your dependencies for supply chain attacks. When you add or update a package, Socket analyzes its behavior and compares it against known threat patterns. It integrates as a GitHub App that comments on pull requests with a security report for every dependency change.
Key features
Malicious package blocking
Socket maintains a database of known malicious packages and behavioral patterns. When a dependency matches a threat signature, Socket blocks it in the PR before it reaches your codebase. This is different from CVE-based tools that only flag known vulnerabilities after disclosure.
Alert categories
| Alert | Description |
|---|---|
| Malware | Known malicious code patterns |
| Install Scripts | Dangerous install hooks |
| Network Access | Unexpected outbound connections |
| Filesystem Access | Unusual file operations |
| Shell Access | Command execution |
| Obfuscation | Hidden or encoded code |
| Typosquatting | Suspicious package names |
| Protestware | Packages with political code |
PR integration
Socket adds a security report to every pull request that changes dependencies. Each new or updated package is analyzed and flagged if it exhibits suspicious behavior.
Setup
npm install -g @socketsecurity/cli for local scanning with socket scan.# Install via npm
npm install -g @socketsecurity/cli
# Create and run a scan
socket scan create
# Generate report
socket scan report
Supported ecosystems
| Ecosystem | Package registry | Coverage depth |
|---|---|---|
| JavaScript | npm | Full behavioral analysis |
| Python | PyPI | Full behavioral analysis |
| Go | Go modules | Vulnerability + supply chain |
| Java | Maven Central | Vulnerability + supply chain |
| Ruby | RubyGems | Vulnerability + supply chain |
| Rust | crates.io | Vulnerability + supply chain |
When to use Socket
Socket fills a gap that CVE-based SCA tools cannot. If you are concerned about supply chain attacks (and you should be), Socket catches threats that Snyk, Dependabot, and other traditional tools miss.
Strengths:
- Catches malicious packages before CVEs exist
- Behavioral analysis detects threats other tools miss
- PR-level blocking prevents compromised packages from entering your codebase
- Free for open-source projects
Limitations:
- Ecosystem coverage continues to expand (10+ ecosystems, with deepest analysis for npm and PyPI)
- Not a full vulnerability scanner; pair with a CVE-based tool for complete coverage
- Commercial plans required for private repositories
How it compares:
| vs. | Key difference |
|---|---|
| Snyk Open Source | Snyk focuses on known CVEs with automated fix PRs. Socket catches supply chain attacks before CVEs are published. Complementary tools. |
| Veracode SCA | Veracode added Phylum-based supply chain detection. Socket has deeper behavioral analysis for npm and PyPI. |
For background, see our guides on supply chain attacks and What is SCA?.
