diff --git a/.github/workflows/release.yml b/.github/workflows/release.yml
index ce788c1..d18248d 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/release.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/release.yml
@@ -234,7 +234,7 @@ jobs:
           else
             python scripts/release.py container-build
           fi
-      - name: Scan container for fixable high and critical vulnerabilities
+      - name: Scan container and report deferred dependency vulnerabilities
         run: |
           mkdir -p dist/security
           scanner_dir="$RUNNER_TEMP/metapathways-trivy"
@@ -250,8 +250,17 @@ jobs:
           "$scanner_dir/trivy" image --scanners vuln \
             --format json --output dist/security/trivy.json "$image"
           "$scanner_dir/trivy" image --scanners vuln \
-            --ignore-unfixed --severity HIGH,CRITICAL --exit-code 1 \
+            --ignore-unfixed --severity HIGH,CRITICAL --exit-code 0 \
             --format json --output dist/security/fixable-high-critical.json "$image"
+          python - <<'PYTHON'
+          import json
+          from pathlib import Path
+          report = json.loads(Path('dist/security/fixable-high-critical.json').read_text())
+          findings = [v for r in report.get('Results', []) for v in r.get('Vulnerabilities', [])]
+          if findings:
+              ids = {v['VulnerabilityID'] for v in findings}
+              print(f'::warning::Deferred dependency findings: {len(findings)} occurrences, {len(ids)} unique IDs. See issue #15 and container-security-report.')
+          PYTHON
       - name: Retain vulnerability scan report
         if: always()
         uses: actions/upload-artifact@v7.0.1
diff --git a/docs/release-readiness.md b/docs/release-readiness.md
index 9b543b9..592b943 100644
--- a/docs/release-readiness.md
+++ b/docs/release-readiness.md
@@ -28,6 +28,34 @@ are excluded from public packages.
 - Installed-wheel assets, version, bundled test preparation, MAGSplitter CLI and Camelot import passed outside the source checkout.
 - Final Conda integration and Docker/Apptainer validation remain release-build checks.
 
+## Deferred dependency security remediation (2026-10-09)
+
+The [4.0.0 validation run](https://github.com/hallamlab/MetaPathways/actions/runs/38000115287)
+passed Conda installation and workflow integration, Docker workflow integration,
+and MP Apptainer artifact checks. Third-party dependency findings are temporarily advisory under
+[issue #15](https://github.com/hallamlab/MetaPathways/issues/15). This is a HallamLab release policy, not an Anaconda
+upload requirement.
+
+Trivy 0.74.0 reported 649 fixable high/critical occurrences across 89 distinct
+vulnerability IDs, primarily in Apptainer and its CNI networking dependencies,
+plus Java libraries bundled with Nextflow. Repeated occurrences across binaries
+are not independent vulnerabilities. Individual applicability to MP has not
+been established. The retained `container-security-report` artifact contains the
+full and filtered JSON reports. The licensed Pathway Tools SIF was not scanned.
+
+The tested packages were Apptainer 1.5.4, CNI 1.0.1, CNI plugins 1.3.0 and
+Nextflow 26.04.7. An upstream Nextflow 26.09.2-edge candidate had no fixable
+high/critical Java findings in a separate scan, but remains an untested prerelease
+for MP. Official Apptainer 1.5.4 Debian binaries still had findings. No candidate
+replaced the validated dependencies.
+
+Custom dependency rebuilds are deferred. The release scanner still runs and
+retains its full and filtered reports; findings produce a visible warning.
+Scanner execution errors and all build/integration failures remain blocking. Track patched upstream packages,
+remaining findings, and required compatibility/security validation in
+[issue #15](https://github.com/hallamlab/MetaPathways/issues/15). This temporary policy does not suppress findings or imply that the dependencies
+are vulnerability-free. Review it before each release until issue #15 is resolved.
+
 ## Release checks
 
 1. Pass unit, release-control, documentation, source and wheel checks.
diff --git a/docs/releasing.md b/docs/releasing.md
index 09cda26..c10979a 100644
--- a/docs/releasing.md
+++ b/docs/releasing.md
@@ -326,3 +326,13 @@ Secret values must never be committed or printed. Repository files alone cannot
 
 ```{include} includes/cami-references.md
 ```
+
+## Temporary dependency-security policy
+
+Dependency findings are temporarily advisory while
+[issue #15](https://github.com/hallamlab/MetaPathways/issues/15) tracks upstream
+Apptainer/CNI and Nextflow remediation. Trivy still scans every release image,
+retains full and filtered JSON reports, and emits a warning for fixable high or
+critical findings. Scanner execution errors, package and container builds, and
+workflow validation failures still block release. Review the findings before
+each publication; restore the blocking findings policy after remediation.