Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is testing the application in a dynamic state while it is running. DAST tools interact with your application. It observes your application and passively views what’s happening with it. It will proxy your web application and notices the requests back and forth. DAST will add its script and make changes to find if there are any security bugs lying around. DAST tools dynamically interact with your application and attack your application with scripts that are written. DAST is very different from SAST.
Why is DAST Important?
- DAST is effective because it frees developers from having to rely on their own knowledge when developing applications.
- DAST during the SDLC can detect applications’ vulnerabilities before they are released to the public.
- If these vulnerabilities are not addressed and the app is deployed as is, a data breach may occur, resulting in significant financial loss and damage to your brand’s reputation.
- DAST is integrated into the Continuous Integration/Continuous Development (CI/CD) pipeline.
- Human error will inevitably occur at some point during the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and the earlier a vulnerability is discovered during the SDLC,Dynamic Applicthe less expensive it is to fix.
DAST Process
Automated Application Vulnerability Scanning:
Security testers use this to scan the web application for security vulnerabilities.
Manual Application Security Testing:
Process of manually crafting and sending requests to analyze responses from the DAST dashboard using proxy-based security testing.
Few Pros & Cons of DAST
|
Pros of DAST |
Cons of DAST |
|
Application Independent. |
Does not pinpoint the precise location of a vulnerability. |
|
Detects vulnerabilities that could be exploited immediately. |
To interpret reports, security expertise knowledge is required. |
|
Access to the source code is not required. |
No source code insights. |
|
Non-language specific. |
Expensive. |
|
Troubleshooting Configuration Issues. |
The testing is time-consuming. |
Wrap Up
DAST is a Black Box Testing method. DAST solution identifies security flaws while an application is in the production phase. It includes both manual and automated testing with various testing tools. DAST tests your web applications from a cyber criminal’s point of view i.e., crawling like a Hacker.
Black Box Testing requires no actual knowledge of network, code, or infrastructure. It detects security vulnerabilities in your software without giving in inputs.
DAST is a reliable vulnerability detection process. It helps your organization measure and manage security risks and helps remediate security vulnerabilities faster.
