Semgrep

Questions & Answers

What is Semgrep?

Semgrep is a static analysis tool that identifies security vulnerabilities and enforces code standards. It performs SAST (Static Application Security Testing), SCA (Software Composition Analysis) for dependencies, and secrets detection across various programming languages.

Who is Semgrep designed for?

Semgrep is designed for developers and AppSec teams. It helps engineering teams catch and fix vulnerabilities early in the development lifecycle and provides security teams with visibility and control over code security.

How does Semgrep compare to other SAST tools?

Semgrep differentiates itself by combining rule-based detection with AI reasoning (Multimodal), aiming for fewer false positives and prioritizing reachable vulnerabilities. It supports custom rules that resemble code and integrates SAST, SCA, and secrets scanning into one platform.

When should Semgrep be integrated into a development workflow?

Semgrep should be integrated early in the development workflow, ideally as code is being written or pushed, to provide continuous security feedback. It is suitable for automated security pipelines and for enforcing secure coding guardrails.

What kind of custom rules can be written for Semgrep?

Semgrep allows users to write highly configurable custom rules using a pattern language that closely resembles the target programming language's syntax. This enables precise detection of specific code patterns or anti-patterns relevant to an organization's codebase.