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ECO-INF-DOCKER-004

Name: Package manager caches left in image layers

Category: Infrastructure

Family: Docker

Primary layer: process

System layers: process, code

Description

Docker image layers that retain apt, apk, pip, npm, or similar caches increase storage and transfer overhead while adding little or no runtime value.

Impact

  • cost: Larger images increase storage and transfer cost.
  • performance: Pulling and scanning images takes longer.
  • carbon: Extra bytes are stored and transmitted repeatedly.

Detection

  • method: dockerfile-lint
  • selector: package_manager_caches_retained

Remediation

  • guidance: Clear package manager caches in the same layer where packages are installed, or use build-stage-only installs where possible.
  • examples:
  • Combine install and cleanup in a single RUN instruction so caches do not persist into a committed layer.

Pattern examples

No pattern examples provided.

Remediation examples

No remediation examples provided.

Metadata

  • status: draft
  • severity: medium
  • version: 0.3.0-draft