Integrating Anti-Malware into CI/CD Pipelines for Proactive Threat Detection

Abstract

In modern DevOps environments, integrating security directly into CI/CD pipelines is no longer optional. This paper explores methods to incorporate anti-malware scanning into development pipelines using ClamAV, CrowdStrike, and SentinelOne, focusing on container images, software dependencies, and runtime behavior. It provides actionable guidance for security automation in build and deploy processes.

1. Introduction

The Threat Landscape

Traditional malware threats are now targeting build environments, open-source libraries, and container registries.

Shift Left Security

The concept of identifying security issues early in the development lifecycle, not post-deployment.

Need for Anti-Malware in CI/CD

Malware can be injected during build (e.g., poisoned dependencies, infected containers). Static scans aren't enough; runtime and API integrations are essential.

2. Overview of CI/CD Stages

3. Tool Overview: ClamAV, CrowdStrike, SentinelOne

ClamAV

• Open-source antivirus engine.
• Best for scanning files and containers during build.
• Lightweight and easy to automate.

CrowdStrike Falcon

• Cloud-native EDR with strong APIs.
• Real-time threat intelligence and behavioral detection.
• Great for integrating with container registries and runtime telemetry.

SentinelOne

• AI-driven EDR/XDR platform.
• Detects fileless malware and runtime anomalies.
• Exposes a powerful API for integration with CI/CD and orchestrators.

4. Integration Points & Techniques

4.1 Pre-Build: Dependency Scanning

Use tools like syft, grype, or OWASP Dependency-Check alongside:

• ClamAV: Scan downloaded dependency directories.
• CrowdStrike: Validate hashes against Falcon Intelligence API.
• SentinelOne: Use the API to analyze unknown binaries pre-use.

clamscan -r /path/to/node_modules

4.2 Build Phase: Container Image Scanning

Scan Docker image layers for embedded malware.

Inject scan into pipeline (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, etc.)

# Scan Docker layers
docker save myapp:latest | clamscan -

CrowdStrike: Send image hash to Falcon API.

# Python pseudocode for Falcon hash submission
requests.post('https://api.crowdstrike.com/hashes/submit', headers=auth, json={"hashes": [sha256]})

SentinelOne: Use Deep Visibility APIs for sandboxing new files.

4.3 Post-Build: Artifact Storage Monitoring

Scan artifacts before they're uploaded to Nexus/JFrog/Artifactory.

Ensure binaries in release bundles are clean.

clamscan myapp.tar.gz && curl -T myapp.tar.gz https://repo/artifacts/

4.4 Deployment Gate: Inline Scanning in Kubernetes

Use admission controllers (e.g., OPA Gatekeeper or Kyverno) to block unscanned images.

Trigger SentinelOne or CrowdStrike scans prior to deployment.

# OPA Rego policy example
deny[msg] {
  input.review.object.spec.containers[_].image == "unscanned"
  msg := "Image has not been malware scanned"
}

4.5 Runtime Protection

CrowdStrike Falcon container sensor and SentinelOne agents provide:

• Runtime behavior analysis
• Anomaly detection (e.g., unexpected network calls, privilege escalations)

In a pipeline: Deploy to a sandbox cluster with EDR sensors, monitor behavior for 5–10 mins.

5. CI/CD Pipeline Example

Using GitLab CI with ClamAV and SentinelOne:

stages:
  - scan
  - build
  - deploy

malware_scan:
  stage: scan
  image: clamav/clamav
  script:
    - freshclam
    - clamscan -r .

build_app:
  stage: build
  script:
    - docker build -t myapp .
    - docker save myapp | clamscan -

sentinelone_check:
  stage: scan
  script:
    - |
      curl -X POST https://api.sentinelone.com/scan \
           -H "Authorization: Bearer $S1_TOKEN" \
           -F "file=@myapp.tar.gz"

6. Benefits and Trade-offs

7. Security Automation Best Practices

• Cache virus definitions daily in CI runners.
• Throttle API calls with exponential backoff.
• Use authenticated secrets storage (e.g., Vault, GitHub OIDC).
• Scan everything: code, containers, infrastructure-as-code, release artifacts.

8. Future Considerations

• Behavioral AI: Integrate ML-based threat scoring.
• SBOM (Software Bill of Materials): Tie scans to component traceability.
• Zero Trust Deployments: Only deploy assets validated by multiple scanners.

Conclusion

Proactive malware detection in CI/CD is not just a "nice-to-have"—it's critical. By using tools like ClamAV, CrowdStrike, and SentinelOne, teams can bake security into every build and deployment. The key is automation, integration, and continuous validation at every stage of the software lifecycle.

Appendix

ClamAV Docker Image: clamav/clamav:latest

CrowdStrike API Docs: https://www.crowdstrike.com/resources/

SentinelOne API Reference: https://developer.sentinelone.com/