DAST measures an application’s ability to protect itself against malicious attacks. It injects payloads at the network level, attempting to execute them and then highlighting weaknesses in the application’s response to specific attack types. Unlike SAST and IAST which are not intended to mimic attackers, DAST is built specifically to simulate common attack techniques.
Hacker-like software attacks websites and web applications, looking for vulnerabilities. IT professionals call this a dynamic application security test (DAST) scan. DAST tools scan the live environment for vulnerabilities. They can be used to detect known and unknown vulnerabilities, with little or no access to the source code or database structure.
DAST Tools and Software
DAST tools take the form of website proxies, scanners, and third-party scripts. DAST injects the meticulous payload into the server. If the response is indicative of a potential vulnerability, the scanner raises an alert. This tool tests for vulnerabilities that require users to be logged in so it shouldn’t be used on its own to test for Web app vulnerabilities. It’s most effective when used in combination with SAST and DAST tools.
There are many different types of DAST tools and software on the market. The most popular ones include:
– Netsparker
– Acunetix
– Qualys
– WhiteHat Security
Why do you need a DAST Tool?
The main reason to use a DAST tool is to identify vulnerabilities in live systems that may not be found with other types of security testing. Because they are executed from outside the network, DAST tools can find security flaws that are not detectable with other methods. They are also good for identifying vulnerabilities that may only be exploited when certain conditions are met, such as when a user is logged in or when a specific action is taken.
How is DAST different from SAST and IAST?
DAST is different from SAST and IAST in that it is intended to mimic attackers. It injects payloads at the network level, attempting to execute them and then highlighting weaknesses in the application’s response to specific attack types. SAST and IAST, on the other hand, are not intended to mimic attackers. Rather, they are designed to find vulnerabilities that may exist as a result of coding errors or poor security practices.
DAST or Dynamic Application Security Testing is a software testing technique that analyses applications for security vulnerabilities while the application is being executed. This is in contrast to techniques such as Static application security testing, which analyses an application from the outside, to find security vulnerabilities before deployment (SAST), or Interactive application security testing, which does the same during development and even after deployment (IAST).
Pros and Cons Of DAST
Pros of DAST:
– Can detect both known and unknown vulnerabilities
– Identifies vulnerabilities quickly and easily
– Works with both traditional web applications and cloud-native applications
– It Finds vulnerabilities that are not detectable with other methods.
– Good for identifying vulnerabilities that may only be exploited when certain conditions are met, such as when a user is logged in or when a specific action is taken.
Cons of DAST:
– Cannot identify vulnerabilities that are not exposed to the network layer
– May require access to the source code or database structure to be effective
– Can be time-consuming and expensive to implement and maintain.
-May cause performance issues on the applications being tested.
-Very expensive to implement and maintain it
-Sometimes Misses the Vulnerability.
-Consume more time and we can’t use it Effectively.
-Requires access to the live environment, which may not be possible in some cases.
-Vulnerability information may not be accurate if payloads are not correctly injected.
Conclusion
DAST can reveal vulnerabilities that SAST and IAST cannot because they are already found in running applications. However, SAST and IAST can discover problems before an application even reaches the production stage, as well as offer advice on how to fix them.
From the prying eyes of malicious hackers to the vulnerabilities created by poor coding practices, security threats are everywhere. Dynatrace helps you stay ahead of these evolving threats with dynamic application security testing (DAST). This powerful tool enables you to identify security weaknesses quickly and easily in both traditional web applications as well as cloud-native applications. Don’t wait for another threat to strike—quickly add DAST scanning capabilities to your existing Dynatrace environment and maximize your security today.
