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Comparison · Infra & APIs

mod_auth_openidc vs Clair

A side-by-side editorial comparison of mod_auth_openidc and Clair — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.

mod_auth_openidc vs Clair: at a glance

Featuremod_auth_openidcClair
SectorInfra & APIsInfra & APIs
Velocity score2.52.5
Sparks · 30d00
Top themesapache-module, openid-connect, security-hardening, session-managementcontainer-security, vulnerability-scanning, sbom, red-hat
Last editorial update12d ago8h ago
WebsiteVisit →Visit →

What is mod_auth_openidc?

mod_auth_openidc 2.4.20.4 closes a provider-to-host command execution path.

This Apache module implements OpenID Connect relying-party support, and its 2.4.20.x line has been a sustained security programme. 2.4.20.4 fixes a case where a provider could have a command run on the host via the exec: prefix in client metadata, sub-request session reuse that exposed protected content, a front-channel logout that could end another user's session, and quadratic memory use on large responses. It also adds interval-based access token refresh, cache metrics and a real readiness probe.

Read the full mod_auth_openidc trajectory →

What is Clair?

Clair 4.10 RC can read SBOMs to match Java vulnerabilities.

Clair cut its first 4.10.0 release candidate on November 13, eleven months after 4.9.0. Its Java indexers can now read CycloneDX SBOM files and treat them as the source of truth, and Red Hat's VEX data now covers Maven advisories, so Java packages in Red Hat images can be matched. It also reduces memory use when many packages share a source package.

Read the full Clair trajectory →

mod_auth_openidc vs Clair: editorial side-by-side

M
mod_auth_openidc
INFRA · APIS
2.5

mod_auth_openidc 2.4.20.4 closes a provider-to-host command execution path.

◆ Current state

This Apache module implements OpenID Connect relying-party support, and its 2.4.20.x line has been a sustained security programme. 2.4.20.4 fixes a case where a provider could have a command run on the host via the exec: prefix in client metadata, sub-request session reuse that exposed protected content, a front-channel logout that could end another user's session, and quadratic memory use on large responses. It also adds interval-based access token refresh, cache metrics and a real readiness probe.

◆ Where it's heading

Each 2.4.20.x release has taken one area through review: session crypto, the state-cookie parser, cache storage, and now metadata handling, sub-requests and logout. Observability is the second thread, with Prometheus self-health metrics and trace propagation added in this release.

◆ Prediction

Further 2.4.20.x security releases are likely while the review continues. The sub-request change can trigger re-authentication where OIDCStripCookies or POST-body tokens are used, so operators should test before upgrading.

C
Clair
INFRA · APIS
2.5

Clair 4.10 RC can read SBOMs to match Java vulnerabilities.

◆ Current state

Clair cut its first 4.10.0 release candidate on November 13, eleven months after 4.9.0. Its Java indexers can now read CycloneDX SBOM files and treat them as the source of truth, and Red Hat's VEX data now covers Maven advisories, so Java packages in Red Hat images can be matched. It also reduces memory use when many packages share a source package.

◆ Where it's heading

Since 4.8 Clair has moved from Red Hat's older OVAL data to VEX, and each release follows Red Hat's security data more closely. 4.10 adds SBOMs as an input, so Clair can match what an image's own manifest declares, not only what it finds on disk.

◆ Prediction

More 4.10 release candidates and then a final are likely; the long gap between releases suggests that could take weeks.

Alternatives to mod_auth_openidc and Clair

Other Infra & APIs products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either mod_auth_openidc or Clair.

See all mod_auth_openidc alternatives → · See all Clair alternatives →

Recent activity from mod_auth_openidc and Clair

Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.

  1. 13h agoClairClair 4.10 RC reads CycloneDX SBOMs for Java matching
  2. 13d agomod_auth_openidc2.4.20.4: metadata command execution and logout flaws fixed
  3. 2mo agomod_auth_openidcFile and shared-memory caches hardened against flooding
  4. 2mo agomod_auth_openidcUntagged GitHub artifact duplicating the 2.4.20.3 release
  5. 3mo agomod_auth_openidcOIDCDebugMaskSecrets reopens debug logs, cache tier removed
  6. 3mo agomod_auth_openidcInternal audit finds eight issues, incl. an identity-header bypass ⚡
  7. 3mo agomod_auth_openidcPBKDF2 key stretching invalidates all existing sessions
  8. 11mo agoClairClair 4.9 moves CVSS data to NVD's 2.0 feeds
  9. 2y agoClairClair 4.8 replaces Red Hat OVAL data with VEX
  10. 2y agoClairClair 4.7.4 changes the default layer download location
  11. 2y agoClairClair 4.7.3 requires TLS 1.2 or newer
  12. 3y agoClairClair 4.7.2 drops the retired CRDA source

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mod_auth_openidc and Clair?

They serve adjacent needs but don't currently overlap on shipped themes. mod_auth_openidc and Clair are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 2.5 vs 2.5, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.

Is mod_auth_openidc better than Clair?

Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. mod_auth_openidc and Clair are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 2.5 vs 2.5, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Infra & APIs products to evaluate alongside.

What are the best alternatives to mod_auth_openidc?

Top mod_auth_openidc alternatives in Infra & APIs are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "mod_auth_openidc alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/mod-auth-openidc for the full list with editorial commentary on each.

What are the best alternatives to Clair?

Top Clair alternatives in Infra & APIs are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Clair alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/clair for the full list with editorial commentary on each.