Bearer CLI SAST Ranks Code Flaws by Proximity to Health Records for Effective Triage

Bearer CLI is a free static application security testing tool that scans source code for vulnerabilities. It prioritises findings by tracking how sensitive data moves through the application. This approach helps security teams identify which flaws pose the greatest risk to personal information, rather than treating all issues as equal.

Root cause

Traditional static analysis tools often generate hundreds of findings without clear guidance on remediation order. Bearer addresses this by mapping sensitive data flows through the codebase. The tool flags vulnerabilities located on paths that handle specific data types, ensuring that triage efforts focus on issues that could directly expose that information.

Attack path

The scanner identifies weaknesses using built-in rules covering the OWASP Top 10 and CWE Top 25 lists. These include common issues such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting, path traversal, and hard-coded passwords. By linking these standard weaknesses to data handling components, the tool highlights where an attacker might exploit a flaw to access sensitive records.

Affected versions

The tool supports scanning for code written in Go, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, PHP, Python, and Ruby. It operates under the Elastic License 2.0, allowing internal organisational use without commercial restrictions. However, providing the scanner as a hosted or managed service to third parties requires specific approval from the vendor.

Mitigation

• Integrate the scanner into development pipelines to catch flaws early in the coding process.
• Review privacy reports generated by the tool to understand which components handle regulated data.
• Prioritise remediation of vulnerabilities that directly touch identified sensitive data types.
• Ensure compliance with licensing terms when deploying the tool across different environments.

Signals worth monitoring

Security operations teams should monitor for unusual spikes in static analysis findings that correlate with new data handling features. Check whether developers are bypassing scanning steps or ignoring high-priority alerts related to sensitive data paths. Look for patterns where vulnerabilities are consistently fixed in non-sensitive areas while critical data exposure risks remain unaddressed. Ensure that privacy impact assessments are updated when new data types are introduced into the application architecture.

Background: Cross-site scripting (XSS)

Prevent cross-site scripting by encoding data before output, validating input strictly, and setting restrictive Content Security Policy headers. Use modern frameworks that auto-escape content. Regularly review legacy code for raw HTML insertion. This checklist ensures your application handles untrusted data safely without relying solely on perimeter security tools.

Read the full guide: Cross-Site Scripting Prevention Checklist for Secure Web Applications

What to do and how to stay safe: Bearer CLI

• Review current static analysis tooling to see if it prioritises findings based on data sensitivity.
• Identify all components in your codebase that handle personal or health-related information.
• Train developers on the importance of fixing vulnerabilities that directly impact sensitive data flows.
• Monitor for any licensing restrictions if you plan to offer scanning services to external clients.

Step-by-step guide: Out-of-band patches: what small businesses need to know

General security guidance from the Firewall Pulse newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

Does Bearer CLI scan running applications?

No, it is a static analysis tool that reads source code without executing it.

What types of data does it recognise?

It identifies more than 120 data types, including personal data and health information.

Can I use it for commercial services?

Internal use is allowed, but providing it as a managed service requires vendor approval.