gosec review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Gosec is an open-source command-line security scanner for Go projects. It is designed for Go teams that want free source-code analysis in local workflows, pull requests, or continuous integration. Its checks use AST and SSA representations, while taint analysis covers injection, path traversal, SSRF, XSS, and related risks. The scanner also identifies issues such as hardcoded credentials, crypto and TLS weaknesses, unsafe deserialization, and open redirects.

Its strongest fit is a repository workflow built around GitHub Actions. Gosec can run as a GitHub Action, support pull-request workflows, and integrate with CI pipelines. Additional documented integration points include Bazel nogo and Docker. Teams can control rule inclusion and exclusion, apply path-based exclusions, and use configuration files. The published output formats include JSON, SARIF, HTML, YAML, CSV, JUnit XML, SonarQube, golint, and text, giving teams options for review, reporting, and downstream tooling.

Gosec is particularly suitable for teams that standardize on Go and want an open-source SAST option with configurable rules and multiple analysis methods. Its verified language coverage is limited to one language, so teams assessing projects beyond Go should choose a tool with broader language support. The documented workflow centers on command-line and automation use across Linux and macOS. AI-assisted fix suggestions are available through configurable AI providers, but teams should treat that capability as an optional part of the workflow rather than the core scanner. Choose Gosec for focused Go security analysis; consider an alternative when broader language coverage is essential.

gosec pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • AST, SSA, and taint analysis cover varied Go security risks
  • GitHub Actions supports pull-request scans and CI workflows
  • Reports export to JSON, SARIF, HTML, YAML, and more
• Where it doesn't
  • Analysis is focused on Go source code
  • The documented platforms are Linux and macOS
  • AI-assisted fixes require a configurable AI provider

gosec fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update