Static analysis

Static Analysis

Comprehensive static analysis toolkit for security vulnerability detection, based on the Trail of Bits Application Security Testing Handbook.

When to Use

• Running security scans on codebases (any language)
• Writing custom CodeQL queries or Semgrep rules
• Processing and triaging SARIF output files from analysis tools
• Setting up static analysis in CI/CD pipelines
• Comparing and aggregating results from multiple tools

When NOT to Use

• Writing Semgrep rules from scratch (use semgrep-rule-creator skill instead)
• Dynamic analysis or fuzzing (use testing-handbook-skills)
• Smart contract auditing (use security-building-secure-contracts)

Sub-Skills

Tool	Purpose	Best For	Skill Path
CodeQL	Semantic code analysis with database queries	Deep data flow tracking, taint analysis, cross-function analysis	skills/codeql/SKILL.md
Semgrep	Fast pattern-matching static analysis	Quick scans, custom rules, CI integration, lightweight checks	skills/semgrep/SKILL.md
SARIF Parsing	Parse and process SARIF result files	Aggregating results, CI/CD integration, multi-tool triage	skills/sarif-parsing/SKILL.md

Tool Selection Guide

Scenario	Recommended Tool
Quick security scan	Semgrep
Deep vulnerability analysis	CodeQL
Data flow / taint tracking	CodeQL (best) or Semgrep taint mode
Custom pattern detection	Semgrep (simpler) or CodeQL (more powerful)
CI/CD integration	Semgrep (fastest) + CodeQL (thorough)
Processing scan results	SARIF Parsing
Non-building codebase	Semgrep (works on incomplete code)

Quick Start

Semgrep (fast scan)

# Install
pip install semgrep

# Run with recommended rulesets
semgrep --config=auto .

# Run specific ruleset
semgrep --config=p/security-audit .

CodeQL (deep analysis)

# Create database
codeql database create mydb --language=python --source-root=.

# Run security queries
codeql database analyze mydb codeql/python-queries:codeql-suites/python-security-extended.qls --format=sarif-latest --output=results.sarif

SARIF Processing

# Parse results with jq
jq '.runs[].results[] | {ruleId, message: .message.text, location: .locations[0].physicalLocation.artifactLocation.uri}' results.sarif

Workflow

1. Quick scan with Semgrep for fast results
2. Deep analysis with CodeQL for thorough coverage
3. Aggregate results using SARIF parsing
4. Triage findings by severity and exploitability
5. Custom rules for project-specific patterns

Related Skills

• semgrep-rule-creator - Dedicated skill for writing production-quality Semgrep rules
• variant-analysis - Find similar vulnerabilities using CodeQL/Semgrep patterns
• security-differential-review - Security-focused code review using static analysis findings