When I met up with Dustin Kirkland, the VP of engineering at Chainguard, at KubeCon Europe, he credited me with inspiring the creation of their new Linux distribution, Chainguard OS. This innovation stems from my previous article discussing kernel security and the concept that many Linux distributions were approaching it incorrectly, a view supported by a CIQ study and insights from Linux maintainers.
Kirkland revealed a pivotal moment when he realized that Chainguard needed to adapt its focus on secure containers instead of traditional virtual machines or full distributions. They had previously introduced Wolfi, an "undistribution" featuring all necessary software for containers, without including Linux itself. Transitioning to a new secure enterprise Linux could require extensive resources. However, the insights from my article led them to a less labor-intensive methodology of bolstering security while developing the new Chainguard OS.
A key finding from kernel maintainer Greg Kroah-Hartman is that utilizing the latest long-term stable kernel (LTS) is vital for optimal security. This means consistently updating to the most recent version, addressing vulnerabilities proactively rather than reacting after issues arise.
Given that any kernel bug could lead to security vulnerabilities, a strategy focusing on immediate updates to the latest LTS kernel is essential. This is reinforced by the understanding that all kernel bugs have the potential to be exploited, making vigilance crucial.
As part of its security strategy, Chainguard OS leverages an automated build system called the Chainguard Factory. This system ensures the OS remains lean by eliminating unnecessary software, thereby reducing potential attack vectors. Additionally, the operating system is built on a zero-trust model which minimizes risks associated with supply chain attacks.
Whenever a security update is released, instead of merely patching the existing system, Chainguard OS installs an entirely new and secure version of its infrastructure. This ensures that every component is verified and up-to-date, consistently maintaining a secure environment.
Continuous verification processes allow for a proactive stance against vulnerabilities, adapting the operating system swiftly when issues are detected—if a vulnerability is found anywhere in its components, the entire package is replaced seamlessly.
Chainguard’s broader strategy is aimed at fortifying the software supply chain, expanding its commitment to secure container images and libraries, providing developers with the tools to build securely without being burdened by the challenges of patching outdated vulnerabilities.
Despite these advantages, many organizations are slow to adopt this method. Companies often rely on stable versions of Linux for their operations and may prefer well-established distributions like CentOS, which offer long-term support. Even when security enhancements are paramount, the transition to systems like Chainguard OS may be met with hesitance.
However, for businesses prioritizing security, it’s advisable to consider using Chainguard container images. While Chainguard OS is not marketed as a standalone distribution, its built-on images represent a significant advancement in secure computing.
For developers operating primarily in the cloud, Chainguard’s container images, along with language libraries and virtual machines, are worthwhile considerations for enhancing operational security.
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