Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Identify security vulnerabilities in running applications before attackers do.

DAST tools test running applications from the outside, simulating how an attacker would interact with your application to identify security vulnerabilities that might not be apparent in the source code.

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How DAST Works

Black Box Testing

DAST tools test running applications from the outside, without knowledge of the internal code or architecture, simulating how an attacker would approach your application.

Attack Simulation

The tools simulate attacks like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), CSRF, and other common web application vulnerabilities to identify security weaknesses.

Vulnerability Reporting

After testing, DAST tools provide detailed reports of identified vulnerabilities, including severity ratings, evidence, and remediation guidance.

Benefits of DAST

Real-World Testing

DAST tests applications in their running state, identifying vulnerabilities that might only appear when the application is fully deployed and operational.

Technology-Agnostic

DAST tools can test applications regardless of the programming language or framework used, making them versatile for diverse technology stacks.

Low False Positives

Since DAST tools actually exploit vulnerabilities rather than just looking for patterns, they typically have lower false positive rates than SAST tools.

Attacker's Perspective

DAST provides insight into how attackers might exploit your application, helping security teams understand and prioritize real-world risks.

Popular DAST Tools

OWASP ZAP

Open-source web application security scanner that automatically finds security vulnerabilities in web applications.

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Key Features

Automated scanning
API scanning
Authentication support
CI/CD integration

Advantages

Free and open-source
Active community
Comprehensive documentation
Extensible via plugins

Burp Suite

Integrated platform for performing security testing of web applications with both automated and manual tools.

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Key Features

Automated vulnerability scanning
Proxy interception
Request manipulation
Extensible via plugins

Advantages

Industry standard
Powerful manual testing capabilities
Professional and enterprise versions
Regular updates

Acunetix

Automated web vulnerability scanner that detects and reports on over 7,000 web application vulnerabilities.

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Key Features

Automated scanning
Continuous scanning
Vulnerability management
CI/CD integration

Advantages

High accuracy
Low false positives
Comprehensive reporting
Enterprise-grade support

Netsparker

Web application security scanner that automatically finds vulnerabilities in web applications and web services.

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Key Features

Proof-based scanning
Authentication support
API scanning
CI/CD integration

Advantages

Proof-based scanning reduces false positives
Cloud or on-premises deployment
Comprehensive reporting
Enterprise-grade support

DAST Best Practices

Test in Isolated Environments

Run DAST scans in isolated environments that mimic production to avoid impacting real users.

Authenticate Your Scanner

Configure your DAST tools to authenticate with your application to test protected functionality.

Scan Regularly

Schedule regular DAST scans to catch new vulnerabilities introduced by code changes.

Combine with Other Testing Types

Use DAST alongside SAST, SCA, and other security testing methods for comprehensive coverage.

Prioritize Findings

Focus on high-risk vulnerabilities first, especially those that could lead to data breaches or system compromise.

Integrate with CI/CD

Automate DAST scanning as part of your CI/CD pipeline to catch vulnerabilities before deployment.

Implementing DAST in Your Pipeline

Here's a step-by-step guide to implementing DAST in your CI/CD pipeline:

Select the Right Tool

Choose a DAST tool that fits your needs, considering factors like integration capabilities, scanning speed, and reporting features.

Set Up a Test Environment

Create an isolated environment that mimics production for DAST scanning to avoid impacting real users.

Configure Authentication

Set up your DAST tool to authenticate with your application to test protected functionality.

Integrate with CI/CD

Add DAST scanning to your CI/CD pipeline, typically after deployment to a test environment but before production deployment.

Set Up Quality Gates

Define quality gates that prevent code with critical or high-severity vulnerabilities from being deployed to production.

Monitor and Improve

Continuously monitor DAST results, track security metrics over time, and refine your configuration to improve effectiveness.

Ready to Implement DAST in Your Pipeline?

Our experts can help you select, configure, and integrate the right DAST tools for your development environment.