Fixing The ASH 'fail_on_findings' Configuration Issue

Hey there! 👋 Have you bumped into some trouble while trying to use Automated Security Helper (ASH) in your CI/CD pipeline? Specifically, are you wrestling with the fail_on_findings setting, and finding that it's not behaving as expected? I had a similar issue when I was first implementing ASH, so I understand the frustration! Let's dive into how to fix the fail_on_findings configuration issue in ASH, focusing on version 3.1.2, and ensuring that you can control whether findings block your PRs or not.

The Core Problem: Why Isn't 'fail_on_findings' Working?

The heart of the problem often lies in how the fail_on_findings setting is applied and validated within ASH. Based on the error message you provided, it seems like there might be a conflict or a misunderstanding of how the configuration should be structured. The error message Extra inputs are not permitted [type=extra_forbidden, input_value=False, input_type=bool] suggests that the way you're setting fail_on_findings is not aligned with how ASH expects it. This often happens because the configuration file might have a specific structure that needs to be followed precisely.

Let’s break it down:

1. Understanding the Error: The error message points out that the tool is encountering unexpected input. It's essentially saying, “Hey, I wasn't expecting this setting in this format.” This often happens when the configuration file isn't set up correctly.
2. Configuration Structure: ASH uses a structured configuration file, typically YAML, to store settings. The way you define and update these settings must conform to the expected structure. Incorrect formatting can lead to these types of errors.
3. Validation: The ash config validate command is supposed to help you catch these issues. However, the error message No such command 'validate'. suggests that the command itself isn't recognized in the way you're trying to use it. This might be a version-specific issue or a misunderstanding of how the configuration commands work.

In essence, the issue isn't with the fail_on_findings concept itself, but rather with how it’s being implemented within ASH. The tool is expecting a particular configuration, and when it doesn’t get it, it throws an error. This can be super annoying, but the good news is that these issues are usually fixable with a little bit of adjustment.

Diagnosing the Root Cause

To figure out why fail_on_findings isn’t working, we need to look closer at a few things:

• The ASH Version: While you mentioned using version 3.1.2, small differences in configuration handling can exist between minor versions. Always refer to the official documentation for the exact version you're using.
• The Configuration File: The ash.yaml file (or whatever your config file is named) is the key. Examine its structure and make sure your settings are placed where they should be.
• Update Commands: How you're trying to update the config matters. The correct syntax is essential, including the use of flags like --set.

By carefully checking these points, we can narrow down the reason why fail_on_findings isn't cooperating.

Step-by-Step Guide to Correcting the Configuration

Here’s how you can troubleshoot and fix the fail_on_findings setting, ensuring ASH functions as intended. This guide is designed to be straightforward, so even if you're new to ASH, you can get it working.

1. Locate Your Configuration File

First things first: Find your ASH configuration file. By default, ASH looks for a file named ash.yaml in a .ash directory, often in your project's root. If you've customized your configuration path, make sure you know where it is. Knowing the location is crucial because all configuration changes must be made in this file.

2. Check the Configuration File Structure

Open your ash.yaml (or your config file) and look for the global_settings section. It should look something like this:

global_settings:
  fail_on_findings: true # or false
  # other settings

Make sure the fail_on_findings setting is placed correctly under global_settings. The indentation matters! YAML relies on spaces to define structure, so make sure everything is aligned properly.

3. Update the Configuration Correctly

Instead of using the ash config update --set command, consider directly editing the ash.yaml file. This approach often avoids the syntax issues that can arise from using command-line arguments. Open the file and manually set the fail_on_findings value to false if you don't want the findings to block PRs:

global_settings:
  fail_on_findings: false

4. Verify the Configuration

After updating the configuration file, you can validate the settings. However, the ash config validate command might not be available in all versions. Instead, try running ASH with a test scan and see if the behavior aligns with your fail_on_findings setting. For example:

ash --mode container

If findings are present, and the command exits with a 0 exit code, then the fail_on_findings: false setting is working correctly. If the command fails, double-check your configuration file and settings.

5. Troubleshooting Tips

• Syntax is King: Double-check your YAML syntax. Use a YAML validator online to catch any formatting errors that might be causing issues.
• Permissions: Ensure that you have the correct permissions to modify the configuration file.
• Version Compatibility: Review the documentation for your ASH version to confirm the expected configuration syntax and command options.

Implementing 'fail_on_findings' in CI/CD

Once you’ve got fail_on_findings set up correctly, integrating it into your CI/CD pipeline becomes much easier. The goal is to ensure that you get the behavior you want: either blocking PRs when findings are present or allowing them to proceed, depending on your setup.

Setting Up Your Pipeline

Here's how you can implement fail_on_findings in your CI/CD pipeline:

1. Run ASH in Your Pipeline: Include ASH as a step in your pipeline. Make sure it runs after the code builds and before tests.
2. Check the Exit Code: After ASH runs, check its exit code. If fail_on_findings is set to true, a non-zero exit code means that findings were detected and the build should fail. If fail_on_findings is set to false, the exit code will be zero, regardless of findings.
3. Conditional Actions: Based on the exit code, you can decide whether to block the PR or allow it to proceed. Most CI/CD systems let you set up conditional steps based on exit codes.

Examples

Example 1: Blocking PRs when findings are present (fail_on_findings: true):

ash --mode container
if [[ $? -ne 0 ]]; then
  echo "ASH found findings. Failing the build."
  exit 1 # Fail the build
fi
echo "No findings found. Build passed."

Example 2: Allowing PRs to proceed, regardless of findings (fail_on_findings: false):

ash --mode container
if [[ $? -ne 0 ]]; then
  echo "ASH found findings, but allowing the build to proceed."
  # Optionally, post a comment on the PR about the findings
fi
echo "Build completed."

Advanced Tips

• Reporting: If you're allowing PRs to proceed, consider adding a step to report the findings. This can be done by posting a comment on the PR, creating a report in a central location, or using a dashboard.
• Notifications: Set up notifications to alert the development team about new findings, regardless of whether the PR is blocked or not.
• Automated Remediation: For certain types of findings, consider integrating automated remediation steps into your pipeline.

By following these steps, you can set up fail_on_findings to work the way you want it to, giving you control over how ASH affects your CI/CD pipeline. This will enable you to manage security findings effectively without disrupting your development workflow.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Configuration Strategies

Sometimes, even after following the basic steps, issues can persist. Here are some advanced troubleshooting techniques and configuration strategies to help you overcome more complex problems.

1. Logging and Debugging

Enable detailed logging to pinpoint the exact issue. ASH often provides different logging levels (e.g., INFO, DEBUG, ERROR). You can enable debug logging by setting an environment variable or using a command-line flag:

export ASH_LOG_LEVEL=DEBUG

This will provide more detailed output, helping you identify configuration issues, unexpected behavior, and other problems.

2. Environment Variables

Utilize environment variables to override settings or provide configurations. This can be useful for CI/CD environments where you want to dynamically configure ASH without modifying the ash.yaml file. For example:

export ASH_CONFIG_FILE=/path/to/your/ash.yaml

3. Using Different Modes

ASH offers several modes (e.g., container, file, directory). Ensure you're using the correct mode for your use case. Each mode may have different requirements and expectations for the input parameters and settings. If you’re scanning a container, the container mode is usually the appropriate choice. If scanning files, the file mode should be preferred.

4. Configuration Precedence

Understand how ASH handles configuration precedence. Settings can be defined in multiple places (command-line arguments, environment variables, configuration files), and ASH uses a specific order of precedence to determine the final configuration. This can vary between ASH versions, so consult the documentation to understand the exact order for your version.

5. Validate the Input

Ensure that the inputs to ASH (files, containers, etc.) are valid and accessible. Incorrect input can lead to unexpected behavior and errors. Double-check that all paths and references are correct.

6. Isolating the Problem

If you're still facing issues, try to isolate the problem by simplifying your configuration and input. Start with the most basic configuration and a minimal set of inputs. Gradually add complexity until you identify the source of the problem.

7. Version Compatibility

Make sure the version of ASH you're using is compatible with your other tools and dependencies. Incompatibilities can lead to unexpected errors. Always consult the official documentation for version compatibility information.

8. Seeking Community Help

If you've exhausted all troubleshooting steps, don't hesitate to seek help from the ASH community. Post your issue with detailed information (ASH version, configuration file, error messages, steps to reproduce) on relevant forums or through the tool's issue tracker. Providing as much context as possible can help the community to assist you more effectively.

Conclusion: Mastering 'fail_on_findings'

Successfully configuring and using the fail_on_findings setting in ASH is crucial for integrating security checks into your CI/CD pipeline. By understanding the configuration structure, troubleshooting common issues, and leveraging advanced techniques, you can ensure that your security checks are effective and don’t disrupt your development workflow. Remember to always refer to the official documentation and community resources for the most up-to-date information.

I hope this guide has helped you resolve the issues with fail_on_findings. Happy coding, and keep those applications secure!

For more information, consider checking out the official ASH documentation and the OWASP website for general security practices.