11.1.2.5 Scan Remediation Flow
A focused guide to Scan Remediation Flow, connecting core concepts with practical Docker and container operations.
Scan remediation flow is the practical, end-to-end process of actually resolving a vulnerability scan's findings — identifying the affected component, applying an appropriate fix, rebuilding, and re-scanning to confirm the issue is actually resolved — rather than simply running a scan without a defined follow-up process.
Identifying the Affected Component for a Given Finding
Each finding identifies the specific package and version responsible, the starting point for determining the appropriate remediation.
docker scout cves myapp:1.0
CVE-2024-12345 HIGH openssl 3.0.1 Fixed in 3.0.8
This identifies openssl version 3.0.1 as the specific package needing attention, with a fix already available in version 3.0.8.
Applying the Appropriate Fix Based on the Component's Layer
An OS-level package finding is typically resolved by rebuilding against an updated base image; an application dependency finding is typically resolved by updating that dependency's declared version.
docker build --pull -t myapp:1.0 .
npm update vulnerable-package
The appropriate command depends on which layer the affected component actually belongs to.
Re-Scanning to Confirm the Fix Actually Resolved the Finding
After applying a fix and rebuilding, re-scanning confirms the specific finding is actually gone, rather than simply assuming the fix worked.
docker scout cves myapp:1.0
Comparing this scan's results against the previous one confirms whether the targeted finding has actually been resolved.
Tracking Findings That Can't Be Immediately Resolved
For a finding without a currently available fix, tracking it explicitly (rather than simply ignoring it) ensures it's revisited once a fix does become available.
docker scout cves myapp:1.0 --format only-unfixed
Why Scan Remediation Flow Matters
A scan without a defined, followed-through remediation process provides only partial value — establishing and consistently following this complete flow, from identification through fix to verification, is what actually translates scanning into genuinely improved security over time.