Dependency-Check

Dependency-Check is a Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool that attempts to detect publicly disclosed vulnerabilities contained within a project's dependencies. It does this by determining if there is a Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) identifier for a given dependency. If found, it will generate a report linking to the associated CVE entries.

Documentation and links to production binary releases can be found on the github pages. Additionally, more information about the architecture and ways to extend dependency-check can be found on the [wiki].

Notice

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD.

Mandatory Upgrade to 12.1.0+

Due to NVD API compatibility changes, an upgrade is mandatory. See #7463 for more information.

Breaking Changes in 11.0.0

• Java 11 is now required to run dependency-check 11.0.0 or higher

• H2 database upgrade

  11.0.0 contains breaking changes using the local H2 database. A full download of the NVD data will occur. Note that if you are using a shared data directory the h2 database file is not compatible with older versions of dependency-check. If you run into problems you may need to run a purge:

  • gradle: ./gradlew dependencyCheckPurge
  • maven: mvn org.owasp:dependency-check-maven:11.0.0:purge
  • cli: dependency-check.sh --purge

Other notices

NVD API Key Highly Recommended

Dependency-check moved from using the NVD data-feed to the NVD API since 9.0.0+ (January 2024). Users of dependency-check are highly encouraged to obtain an NVD API Key; see https://nvd.nist.gov/developers/request-an-api-key Without an NVD API Key dependency-check's updates will be extremely slow. Please see the documentation for the cli, maven, gradle, or ant integrations on how to set the NVD API key.

The NVD API Key, CI, and Rate Limiting

The NVD API has enforced rate limits. If you are using a single API KEY and multiple builds occur you could hit the rate limit and receive 403 errors. In a CI environment one must use a caching strategy.

Sonatype OSS Index mandatory authentication and migration to Sonatype Guide

In September 2025 Sonatype OSS Index started enforcing use of API tokens for authentication. In April 2026 a subsequent migration to Sonatype Guide began, kicking off a transition to use of Sonatype Guide API Tokens that are planned to replace the legacy OSS Index API keys/tokens before the end of 2026.

Without credentials, Dependency Check will automatically disable the OSS Index analyzer. Please see the documentation for the CLI, Maven, Gradle, or Ant integrations on how to set the analyzer credentials for use of a Sonatype Guide token or legacy OSS Index API key.

If you wish to use Sonatype OSS Index (via Guide) you must configure Dependency-Check and consider implications for the migration to Sonatype Guide; whose commercial/usage model has changed. See the analyzer documentation for more information.

Gradle build Environment

With 9.0.0+ users may encounter issues with NoSuchMethodError exceptions due to dependency resolution. If you encounter this issue you will need to pin some of the transitive dependencies of dependency-check to specific versions. For example:

/buildSrc/build.gradle

dependencies {
    constraints {
        // org.owasp.dependencycheck needs at least this version of jackson. Other plugins pull in older versions..
        add("implementation", "com.fasterxml.jackson:jackson-bom:2.21.2")

        // org.owasp.dependencycheck needs these versions. Other plugins pull in older versions..
        add("implementation", "org.apache.commons:commons-lang3:3.20.0")
        add("implementation", "org.apache.commons:commons-text:1.15.0")
    }
}

Requirements

Java Version

Minimum Java Version: Java 11

Internet Access

OWASP dependency-check requires access to several externally hosted resources. For more information see Internet Access Required.

Build Tools

In order to analyze some technology stacks dependency-check may require other development tools to be installed. Some of the analysis listed below may be experimental and require the experimental analyzers to be enabled.

1. To analyze .NET Assemblies the dotnet 8 run time or SDK must be installed.
   • Assemblies targeting other run times can be analyzed - but 8 is required to run the analysis.
2. If analyzing GoLang projects go must be installed.
3. The analysis of Elixir projects requires mix_audit.
4. The analysis of npm, pnpm, and yarn projects requires npm, pnpm, or yarn to be installed.
   • The analysis performed utilize the respective audit feature of each.
5. The analysis of Ruby is a wrapper around bundle-audit, which must be installed.

Current Releases

Jenkins Plugin

For instructions on the use of the Jenkins plugin please see the OWASP Dependency-Check Plugin page.

Command Line

More detailed instructions can be found on the dependency-check github pages. The latest CLI can be downloaded from github in the releases section.

Downloading the latest release:

$ VERSION=$(curl -s https://dependency-check.github.io/DependencyCheck/current.txt)
$ curl -Ls "https://github.com/dependency-check/DependencyCheck/releases/download/v$VERSION/dependency-check-$VERSION-release.zip" --output dependency-check.zip

On *nix

$ ./bin/dependency-check.sh -h
$ ./bin/dependency-check.sh --out . --scan [path to jar files to be scanned]

On Windows

> .\bin\dependency-check.bat -h
> .\bin\dependency-check.bat --out . --scan [path to jar files to be scanned]

On Mac with Homebrew Note - homebrew users upgrading from 5.x to 6.0.0 will need to run dependency-check.sh --purge.

$ brew update && brew install dependency-check
$ dependency-check -h
$ dependency-check --out . --scan [path to jar files to be scanned]

Maven Plugin