Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

tag: [Engineer/Developer, Security Specialist]

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a security testing method that involves evaluating applications in their running state. DAST tools simulate attacks against the application to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited.

Benefits of DAST

  1. Real-World Testing

    • Tests applications in their real-world operational state, identifying vulnerabilities that static analysis might miss.

  2. Broad Coverage

    • Detects a wide range of vulnerabilities.

  3. No Access to Source Code Required

    • Can be performed without access to the application's source code.

Best Practices for DAST

  1. Automate Scanning

    • Integrate DAST tools into the CI/CD pipeline to automatically scan applications during development and deployment.

  2. Regular Testing

    • Perform regular security testing on running applications to identify new vulnerabilities introduced by code changes.

  3. Comprehensive Coverage

    • Ensure that all parts of the application, including APIs and web services, are tested.

  4. Use Multiple Tools

    • Use multiple DAST tools to increase coverage and improve detection accuracy.

Web2 DAST Tools

  1. OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)

    • Open-source web application security scanner.
    • Pros: Free, extensive community support, powerful features.
    • Cons: Can be complex to configure for advanced use cases.

  2. Burp Suite

    • Comprehensive web application security testing tool.
    • Pros: Powerful, extensive features, active development.
    • Cons: Commercial tool with a significant cost.

  3. Acunetix

    • Automated web application security scanner.
    • Pros: Easy to use, wide range of vulnerability checks, detailed reports.
    • Cons: Commercial tool with a significant cost.

  4. Veracode Dynamic Analysis

    • Cloud-based DAST solution.
    • Pros: Integrates with CI/CD pipelines, detailed reporting.
    • Cons: Requires a subscription.

Solidity DAST Tools

  1. MythX

    • A security analysis service for Ethereum smart contracts.
    • Pros: Detects common vulnerabilities such as reentrancy, integer overflows, and underflows.
    • Cons: Commercial tool with a subscription fee.

  2. Echidna

    • A DAST tool specifically designed for Ethereum smart contracts.
    • Pros: Effective for finding vulnerabilities in Solidity code, integrates with other Ethereum testing tools.
    • Cons: Can potentially be seen as complex.