TUF (The Update Framework)

Projects that follow the best practices below can voluntarily self-certify and show that they've achieved an Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF) best practices badge.

If this is your project, please show your badge status on your project page! The badge status looks like this: Badge level for project 1351 is gold Here is how to embed it:

These are the Silver level criteria. You can also view the Passing or Gold level criteria.

        

 Basics 17/17 ●

  • Identification

    A framework for securing software update systems.

  • Prerequisites


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST achieve a passing level badge. [achieve_passing]

  • Basic project website content


    Enough for a badge!

    The information on how to contribute MUST include the requirements for acceptable contributions (e.g., a reference to any required coding standard). (URL required) [contribution_requirements]

    The contribution process is covered in below documents. It prescribes following a custom style guide, based on well-known public style guides. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/contribute https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md#contributions https://github.com/secure-systems-lab/code-style-guidelines/blob/master/python.md


  • Project oversight


    Enough for a badge!

    The project SHOULD have a legal mechanism where all developers of non-trivial amounts of project software assert that they are legally authorized to make these contributions. The most common and easily-implemented approach for doing this is by using a Developer Certificate of Origin (DCO), where users add "signed-off-by" in their commits and the project links to the DCO website. However, this MAY be implemented as a Contributor License Agreement (CLA), or other legal mechanism. (URL required) [dco]

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/contribute

    In addition, an automatic DCO check is performed on all pull requests to the repository.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST clearly define and document its project governance model (the way it makes decisions, including key roles). (URL required) [governance]

    The project clearly defines and documents its governance model in GOVERNANCE.md https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST adopt a code of conduct and post it in a standard location. (URL required) [code_of_conduct]

    The project follows the CNCF code of conduct: https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/CODE-OF-CONDUCT.md


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST clearly define and publicly document the key roles in the project and their responsibilities, including any tasks those roles must perform. It MUST be clear who has which role(s), though this might not be documented in the same way. (URL required) [roles_responsibilities]

    The project's GOVERNANCE.md and MAINTAINERS.txt clearly define the different roles and their responsibilities. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/MAINTAINERS.txt


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST be able to continue with minimal interruption if any one person dies, is incapacitated, or is otherwise unable or unwilling to continue support of the project. In particular, the project MUST be able to create and close issues, accept proposed changes, and release versions of software, within a week of confirmation of the loss of support from any one individual. This MAY be done by ensuring someone else has any necessary keys, passwords, and legal rights to continue the project. Individuals who run a FLOSS project MAY do this by providing keys in a lockbox and a will providing any needed legal rights (e.g., for DNS names). (URL required) [access_continuity]

    The project has more than three people with admin rights to the GitHub repository and multiple maintainers that can create and close issues, accept proposed changes, and release new versions of the software. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/MAINTAINERS.txt https://github.com/orgs/theupdateframework/people


    Enough for a badge!

    The project SHOULD have a "bus factor" of 2 or more. (URL required) [bus_factor]

    The project has a bus factor of over 2. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/MAINTAINERS.txt https://github.com/orgs/theupdateframework/people


  • Documentation


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST have a documented roadmap that describes what the project intends to do and not do for at least the next year. (URL required) [documentation_roadmap]

    The current roadmap is documented as GitHub project "TUF refactor towards 1.0.0" https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/projects

    Note: At the time of revising the badge criteria (January 2022), the project is reaching the end of the current long-term roadmap. Once finalized, a new roadmap will be published.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST include documentation of the architecture (aka high-level design) of the software produced by the project. If the project does not produce software, select "not applicable" (N/A). (URL required) [documentation_architecture]

    project specification: https://theupdateframework.github.io/specification/latest/ published papers: https://theupdateframework.io/publications/


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST document what the user can and cannot expect in terms of security from the software produced by the project (its "security requirements"). (URL required) [documentation_security]

    The project's security page and research papers document what users can expect in terms of security and threat model. https://theupdateframework.io/security/ https://theupdateframework.io/publications/ https://theupdateframework.io/papers/survivable-key-compromise-ccs2010.pdf?raw=true


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST provide a "quick start" guide for new users to help them quickly do something with the software. (URL required) [documentation_quick_start]

    The project provides excessively commented and easy-to-read Python code as usage examples for different usage scenarios. The examples are easy to find in the documentation. https://theupdateframework.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ (usage examples)


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST make an effort to keep the documentation consistent with the current version of the project results (including software produced by the project). Any known documentation defects making it inconsistent MUST be fixed. If the documentation is generally current, but erroneously includes some older information that is no longer true, just treat that as a defect, then track and fix as usual. [documentation_current]

    The project makes an effort to keep documentation up to date and encourages contributors to verify that any pull requests also update documentation for things that are modified. https://github.com/theupdateframework/tuf/blob/develop/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md


    Enough for a badge!

    The project repository front page and/or website MUST identify and hyperlink to any achievements, including this best practices badge, within 48 hours of public recognition that the achievement has been attained. (URL required) [documentation_achievements]

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf#-a-framework-for-securing-software-update-systems


  • Accessibility and internationalization


    Enough for a badge!

    The project (both project sites and project results) SHOULD follow accessibility best practices so that persons with disabilities can still participate in the project and use the project results where it is reasonable to do so. [accessibility_best_practices]

    The project website is built with the go Hugo static site generator and Bulma CSS framework, which does not require JavaScript and is 100% responsive. https://theupdateframework.io/ https://bulma.io/

    The reference documentation is hosted on readthedocs using the standard Sphinx RTD Theme, which has several accessibility features. https://theupdateframework.readthedocs.io/ https://sphinx-rtd-theme.readthedocs.io/en/stable/changelog.html

    The project source code repository is hosted on GitHub, which can be used by several alternate ways, with different degrees of documented accessibility: https://government.github.com/accessibility/ https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf

    The software produced by the project is an API for software developers. Accessibility is provided by extensive standardized (napoleon/sphinx) code documentation and a focus on mnemonic naming. https://www.sphinx-doc.org/en/master/usage/extensions/napoleon.html


    Enough for a badge!

    The software produced by the project SHOULD be internationalized to enable easy localization for the target audience's culture, region, or language. If internationalization (i18n) does not apply (e.g., the software doesn't generate text intended for end-users and doesn't sort human-readable text), select "not applicable" (N/A). [internationalization]

    Our specification and reference library are meant to be used by developers and integrated into a new or preexisting updater.

    This criteria is not applicable if the end user is the person running the updater, because they are not expected to read text that originate from our library (TUF exceptions should be caught by the adopter and a suitable error message given to the user). But if the end user is the repo maintainer or adopter, then translations are probably needed for the code. However, our project's documentation, papers, website haven't been translated and are unreadable by non-English speakers, so it's unlikely they can even get started using the repo tools.


  • Other


    Enough for a badge!

    If the project sites (website, repository, and download URLs) store passwords for authentication of external users, the passwords MUST be stored as iterated hashes with a per-user salt by using a key stretching (iterated) algorithm (e.g., Argon2id, Bcrypt, Scrypt, or PBKDF2). If the project sites do not store passwords for this purpose, select "not applicable" (N/A). [sites_password_security]

    GitHub meets this criterion.


  • Previous versions


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST maintain the most often used older versions of the product or provide an upgrade path to newer versions. If the upgrade path is difficult, the project MUST document how to perform the upgrade (e.g., the interfaces that have changed and detailed suggested steps to help upgrade). [maintenance_or_update]

    Python's standard packaging and installation tools make it easy to use older versions of the project and provide upgrade paths to newer versions.


  • Bug-reporting process


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST use an issue tracker for tracking individual issues. [report_tracker]

    The project uses GitHub's issue tracker to track individual issues.

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/issues


  • Vulnerability report process


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST give credit to the reporter(s) of all vulnerability reports resolved in the last 12 months, except for the reporter(s) who request anonymity. If there have been no vulnerabilities resolved in the last 12 months, select "not applicable" (N/A). (URL required) [vulnerability_report_credit]

    The published security advisories give credit to reporters of vulnerabilities, unless anonymity is requested: https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/security/advisories?state=published


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST have a documented process for responding to vulnerability reports. (URL required) [vulnerability_response_process]

    The project documents the process for responding to vulnerability reports. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/#security-issues-and-bugs


  • Coding standards


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST identify the specific coding style guides for the primary languages it uses, and require that contributions generally comply with it. (URL required) [coding_standards]

    The project encourages contributors to follow its coding style guidelines in the governance document and in a template automatically applied to pull requests: https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md#contributions https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md

    The linked-to guidelines are here: https://github.com/secure-systems-lab/code-style-guidelines


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST automatically enforce its selected coding style(s) if there is at least one FLOSS tool that can do so in the selected language(s). [coding_standards_enforced]

    The project automatically enforces its coding style guidelines via Pylint, black and isort.


  • Working build system


    Enough for a badge!

    Build systems for native binaries MUST honor the relevant compiler and linker (environment) variables passed in to them (e.g., CC, CFLAGS, CXX, CXXFLAGS, and LDFLAGS) and pass them to compiler and linker invocations. A build system MAY extend them with additional flags; it MUST NOT simply replace provided values with its own. If no native binaries are being generated, select "not applicable" (N/A). [build_standard_variables]

    No native binaries are being generated by the project.


    Enough for a badge!

    The build and installation system SHOULD preserve debugging information if they are requested in the relevant flags (e.g., "install -s" is not used). If there is no build or installation system (e.g., typical JavaScript libraries), select "not applicable" (N/A). [build_preserve_debug]

    The standard Python build and installation system can be freely configured by users as they wish. The project does not restrict the user of relevant flags.


    Enough for a badge!

    The build system for the software produced by the project MUST NOT recursively build subdirectories if there are cross-dependencies in the subdirectories. If there is no build or installation system (e.g., typical JavaScript libraries), select "not applicable" (N/A). [build_non_recursive]

    The project does not recursively build subdirectories. All of its dependencies are external to its installation.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST be able to repeat the process of generating information from source files and get exactly the same bit-for-bit result. If no building occurs (e.g., scripting languages where the source code is used directly instead of being compiled), select "not applicable" (N/A). [build_repeatable]

    No true building occurs since the project uses Python.


  • Installation system


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST provide a way to easily install and uninstall the software produced by the project using a commonly-used convention. [installation_common]

    The project's releases can be installed and uninstalled with pip (Python's recommended tool to install Python packages).


    Enough for a badge!

    The installation system for end-users MUST honor standard conventions for selecting the location where built artifacts are written to at installation time. For example, if it installs files on a POSIX system it MUST honor the DESTDIR environment variable. If there is no installation system or no standard convention, select "not applicable" (N/A). [installation_standard_variables]

    Python's recommended tool to install Python packages, which the project supports, does honor standard conventions for selecting the location where built artifacts are written to at installation time.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST provide a way for potential developers to quickly install all the project results and support environment necessary to make changes, including the tests and test environment. This MUST be performed with a commonly-used convention. [installation_development_quick]

    The project's instructions for contributors explains how they can quickly install the project, it's dependencies, set up the environment, and run the unit tests. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/contribute


  • Externally-maintained components


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST list external dependencies in a computer-processable way. (URL required) [external_dependencies]

    The project's setup.cfg specify's its external dependencies. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/setup.cfg


    Enough for a badge!

    Projects MUST monitor or periodically check their external dependencies (including convenience copies) to detect known vulnerabilities, and fix exploitable vulnerabilities or verify them as unexploitable. [dependency_monitoring]

    The project monitors dependency updates using GitHub native dependabot

    https://github.com/dependabot


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST either:
    1. make it easy to identify and update reused externally-maintained components; or
    2. use the standard components provided by the system or programming language.
    Then, if a vulnerability is found in a reused component, it will be easy to update that component. [updateable_reused_components]

    The project monitors dependency updates using GitHub native dependabot and automatically performs updates when they become available.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project SHOULD avoid using deprecated or obsolete functions and APIs where FLOSS alternatives are available in the set of technology it uses (its "technology stack") and to a supermajority of the users the project supports (so that users have ready access to the alternative). [interfaces_current]

    The project makes an honest attempt to make sure that it doesn't use deprecated or obsolete functions. Python versions that are marked as no longer maintained are also unsupported.


  • Automated test suite


    Enough for a badge!

    An automated test suite MUST be applied on each check-in to a shared repository for at least one branch. This test suite MUST produce a report on test success or failure. [automated_integration_testing]

    The project uses GitHub Actions to run the automated test suite on each pull request and push to the main branch.

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/actions https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/workflows/ci.yml


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST add regression tests to an automated test suite for at least 50% of the bugs fixed within the last six months. [regression_tests_added50]

    The project makes an honest effort to make sure that tests are added for all bugs that are fixed. It enforces at least 97% test coverage.

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/tox.ini


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST have FLOSS automated test suite(s) that provide at least 80% statement coverage if there is at least one FLOSS tool that can measure this criterion in the selected language. [test_statement_coverage80]

    The project's tox.ini config and continuous integration system requires 97% coverage of the source code, otherwise a build failure results. Its policy is captured in the GOVERNANCE.md and pull request template.

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md#contributions https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md


  • New functionality testing


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST have a formal written policy that as major new functionality is added, tests for the new functionality MUST be added to an automated test suite. [test_policy_mandated]

    The project provides a formal written policy on testing of new functionality. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md#contributions https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST include, in its documented instructions for change proposals, the policy that tests are to be added for major new functionality. [tests_documented_added]

    The project's pull request template documents the policy of verifying that tests have been added to the change. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/PULL_REQUEST_TEMPLATE.md

    In addition, tests are performed prominently and automatically for any pull request, and failures are flagged. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/actions

    These policies are also explained in the contributors pages: https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/docs/GOVERNANCE.md#contributions https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/contribute


  • Warning flags


    Enough for a badge!

    Projects MUST be maximally strict with warnings in the software produced by the project, where practical. [warnings_strict]

    The project does not accept Pull Requests with pyint, bandit, black or isort warnings.

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/tox.ini https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/workflows/ci.yml


  • Secure development knowledge


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST implement secure design principles (from "know_secure_design"), where applicable. If the project is not producing software, select "not applicable" (N/A). [implement_secure_design]

    The project strives to implement secure design principles.


  • Use basic good cryptographic practices

    Note that some software does not need to use cryptographic mechanisms. If your project produces software that (1) includes, activates, or enables encryption functionality, and (2) might be released from the United States (US) to outside the US or to a non-US-citizen, you may be legally required to take a few extra steps. Typically this just involves sending an email. For more information, see the encryption section of Understanding Open Source Technology & US Export Controls.

    Enough for a badge!

    The default security mechanisms within the software produced by the project MUST NOT depend on cryptographic algorithms or modes with known serious weaknesses (e.g., the SHA-1 cryptographic hash algorithm or the CBC mode in SSH). [crypto_weaknesses]

    The project's default security mechanisms do not depend on weak algorithms or modes.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project SHOULD support multiple cryptographic algorithms, so users can quickly switch if one is broken. Common symmetric key algorithms include AES, Twofish, and Serpent. Common cryptographic hash algorithm alternatives include SHA-2 (including SHA-224, SHA-256, SHA-384 AND SHA-512) and SHA-3. [crypto_algorithm_agility]

    The project supports multiple cryptographic algorithms, where applicable.


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST support storing authentication credentials (such as passwords and dynamic tokens) and private cryptographic keys in files that are separate from other information (such as configuration files, databases, and logs), and permit users to update and replace them without code recompilation. If the project never processes authentication credentials and private cryptographic keys, select "not applicable" (N/A). [crypto_credential_agility]

    The project supports the storage of private cryptographic keys and dynamic tokens.


    Enough for a badge!

    The software produced by the project SHOULD support secure protocols for all of its network communications, such as SSHv2 or later, TLS1.2 or later (HTTPS), IPsec, SFTP, and SNMPv3. Insecure protocols such as FTP, HTTP, telnet, SSLv3 or earlier, and SSHv1 SHOULD be disabled by default, and only enabled if the user specifically configures it. If the software produced by the project does not support network communications, select "not applicable" (N/A). [crypto_used_network]

    The project supports TLS for all of its network communications.


    Enough for a badge!

    The software produced by the project SHOULD, if it supports or uses TLS, support at least TLS version 1.2. Note that the predecessor of TLS was called SSL. If the software does not use TLS, select "not applicable" (N/A). [crypto_tls12]

    The project supports at TLS version 1.2, as provided by standard Python.


    Enough for a badge!

    The software produced by the project MUST, if it supports TLS, perform TLS certificate verification by default when using TLS, including on subresources. If the software does not use TLS, select "not applicable" (N/A). [crypto_certificate_verification]

    The project performs TLS certificate verification by default.


    Enough for a badge!

    The software produced by the project MUST, if it supports TLS, perform certificate verification before sending HTTP headers with private information (such as secure cookies). If the software does not use TLS, select "not applicable" (N/A). [crypto_verification_private]

    The project performs certificate verification, and before sending HTTP headers, but it does not need to send private information.


  • Secure release


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST cryptographically sign releases of the project results intended for widespread use, and there MUST be a documented process explaining to users how they can obtain the public signing keys and verify the signature(s). The private key for these signature(s) MUST NOT be on site(s) used to directly distribute the software to the public. If releases are not intended for widespread use, select "not applicable" (N/A). [signed_releases]

    The project documents to process for obtaining public signing keys and verifying releases of the project.


    Enough for a badge!

    It is SUGGESTED that in the version control system, each important version tag (a tag that is part of a major release, minor release, or fixes publicly noted vulnerabilities) be cryptographically signed and verifiable as described in signed_releases. [version_tags_signed]

    All of the project's release tags are cryptographically signed. https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/tags


  • Other security issues


    Enough for a badge!

    The project results MUST check all inputs from potentially untrusted sources to ensure they are valid (an *allowlist*), and reject invalid inputs, if there are any restrictions on the data at all. [input_validation]

    Input validation is of utmost importance for the update framework. See discussion in: https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/pull/1301

    All inputs are validated at the user boundary, i.e. when deserializing metadata from untrusted sources.


    Enough for a badge!

    Hardening mechanisms SHOULD be used in the software produced by the project so that software defects are less likely to result in security vulnerabilities. [hardening]

    The project tries to use hardening mechanisms whenever possible. Given that the software is a security product, developers and reviewers have a focus on secure programming. Reviewing guidelines are documented in: https://github.com/secure-systems-lab/lab-guidelines/blob/master/code-review.md


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST provide an assurance case that justifies why its security requirements are met. The assurance case MUST include: a description of the threat model, clear identification of trust boundaries, an argument that secure design principles have been applied, and an argument that common implementation security weaknesses have been countered. (URL required) [assurance_case]

    The project's research papers provide a description of the threat model, clear identification of trust boundaries, an argument that secure design principles have been applied, and an argument that common implementation security weaknesses have been countered.
    https://theupdateframework.io/security/ https://theupdateframework.io/publications/


  • Static code analysis


    Enough for a badge!

    The project MUST use at least one static analysis tool with rules or approaches to look for common vulnerabilities in the analyzed language or environment, if there is at least one FLOSS tool that can implement this criterion in the selected language. [static_analysis_common_vulnerabilities]

    The project uses Floss tools pylint and Bandit (security linter) for static analysis and black and isort for uniform auto-format, which are all run in CI.

    https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/tox.ini https://github.com/theupdateframework/python-tuf/blob/develop/.github/workflows/ci.yml


  • Dynamic code analysis


    Enough for a badge!

    If the software produced by the project includes software written using a memory-unsafe language (e.g., C or C++), then at least one dynamic tool (e.g., a fuzzer or web application scanner) MUST be routinely used in combination with a mechanism to detect memory safety problems such as buffer overwrites. If the project does not produce software written in a memory-unsafe language, choose "not applicable" (N/A). [dynamic_analysis_unsafe]

    The project does not produce software written in a memory-unsafe language.



This data is available under the Creative Commons Attribution version 3.0 or later license (CC-BY-3.0+). All are free to share and adapt the data, but must give appropriate credit. Please credit Justin Cappos and the OpenSSF Best Practices badge contributors.

Project badge entry owned by: Justin Cappos.
Entry created on 2017-10-26 19:09:52 UTC, last updated on 2022-02-09 14:13:41 UTC. Last lost passing badge on 2017-11-17 17:46:04 UTC. Last achieved passing badge on 2017-11-20 19:26:07 UTC.

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