Get to near-zero CVE images with curated container images, profiling, and hardening, all without code changes.
01
The rapid pace of software development, fueled by CI/CD pipelines, can introduce security vulnerabilities. This white paper explores the key challenges in balancing speed with security within the CI/CD pipeline. It introduces RapidFort as a platform that combines curated container images, vulnerability analysis, and attack surface reduction within an existing CI/CD workflow. We will look at how RapidFort's continuous scanning and hardening of containers can eliminate up to 99.9% of software vulnerabilities within hours, significantly reducing the attack surface and streamlining development, all without code changes.
reduction in software attack surface
of vulnerabilities eliminated within hours
near-zero CVE curated images
This paper covers the security risks associated with CI/CD pipelines, how curated container images and continuous profiling reduce those risks, and how the RapidFort platform brings these capabilities together in a single, unified system.
02
The agility and efficiency of CI/CD pipelines have transformed software development. That same rapid release cycle can introduce security vulnerabilities if not properly addressed. Key challenges include:
Speed versus security: Pressure to release new features quickly can cause security testing to be rushed or skipped altogether.
Integration complexity: CI/CD pipelines often involve a complex ecosystem of tools, and vulnerabilities within those tools themselves can become an entry point for attackers.
Shifting security left: Traditional security practices focused on testing after development was complete. Integrating security checks throughout the CI/CD pipeline requires a cultural shift and additional training for developers.
Version control and dependency management: Rapid development leads to frequent code changes and dependency updates. Managing versions and ensuring compatibility is essential to avoid introducing new vulnerabilities or conflicts.
Lack of visibility: Complex pipelines can obscure visibility into the software lifecycle, making it difficult to track security risks or identify the source of an issue during deployment.
03
RapidFort addresses the full range of CI/CD vulnerability challenges through one platform spanning intake, build, and runtime, reducing the need to manage separate vendors and tools for scanning, curated images, and attack surface reduction.
Intake
Hardened NIST 800-70 images
FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated
Justification support for Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms)
Continuously refreshed images
Build
Generates SBOM and identifies real CVE exposure
Removes unused code that can harbor vulnerabilities
Reduces the attack surface without code changes
Filters noise using RapidFort advisory data
Runtime
Generates the Runtime Bill of Materials (RBOM®)
Prioritizes vulnerabilities by real exploitability
Integrated CIS and STIG benchmarks
Compiles audit-ready compliance evidence
A key advantage of RapidFort is its ability to continuously scan container images during the build process and while an application is running, identifying unused code that can harbor vulnerabilities. RapidFort Optimizer then hardens the containers by removing this unnecessary code, which can eliminate up to 99.9% of software vulnerabilities. This significantly reduces the attack surface and streamlines development by removing the need for developers to manually identify and remove unused code.
04
If a "near-zero CVE" image vendor relies on an obscure or custom distribution, mainstream scanners may fail to recognize the container's origin and skip scanning it altogether. This gap makes it difficult to validate, reconcile, and trust a vendor's near-zero CVE claim. A distribution that mainstream scanners cannot properly assess can create a false sense of security. To support comprehensive security assessments, choose distributions that are widely supported and easily identifiable by industry-standard scanning tools.
A single platform for curated images, vulnerability analysis, and attack surface reduction, reducing the need to manage multiple vendors and tools.
Developers can build on pre-hardened images, freeing them to focus on core application logic rather than chasing vulnerabilities.
A reduced workload size supports faster deployments and helps streamline FedRAMP compliance package updates.
Ongoing workload optimization supports a continuously improving security posture, a core part of maintaining FedRAMP compliance.
RapidFort Analyzer generates a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM), providing a complete list of the software components used in an application. RapidFort Profiler generates RBOM®, RapidFort's Runtime Bill of Materials, which goes a step further by identifying the code that actually executes at runtime. Together, this visibility supports vulnerability management and helps organizations demonstrate compliance with relevant industry frameworks.
05
Beyond the security benefits, the RapidFort platform supports meaningful operational efficiency gains in two key areas.
By eliminating unused code through container hardening, RapidFort reduces the size and resource footprint of containerized applications. In cloud environments where billing is often tied to resource usage, a smaller footprint can translate into lower infrastructure costs.
Continuous scanning and hardening within the RapidFort platform free up valuable developer time. Developers can focus on core functionality and innovation rather than manual security audits or code optimization work.
RapidFort helps organizations balance rapid development with a strong security posture across the CI/CD pipeline. By eliminating vulnerabilities at the source and continuously reducing the attack surface, organizations can strengthen their software development lifecycle, deliver features with confidence, and support broader efficiency gains across development and runtime environments.
RapidFort is the leader in Software Supply Chain Security, enabling organizations to eliminate risk across their software stack at scale. Its platform combines curated near-zero CVE container images, runtime profiling, and attack surface management to remove up to 99.9% of vulnerabilities within hours and reduce the attack surface by up to 90%, without code changes. RapidFort was identified as a Gartner Cool Vendor in 2025 and a Nutanix .Next Partner of the Year in 2026.
© 2026 RapidFort, Inc.
