Application Security Testing: A Comparison of SAST, DAST, IAST, and RASP
Application security testing is an essential part of the software development lifecycle, as it helps to identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities and security risks in applications before they can be exploited. There are several different approaches to application security testing, including static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security testing (DAST), interactive application security testing (IAST), and runtime application self-protection (RASP).
Static application security testing (SAST) is a type of testing that analyzes the source code or binaries of an application to identify potential vulnerabilities. SAST tools are typically used early in the development process, and can help developers identify issues such as insecure code practices, input validation flaws, and other potential vulnerabilities.
Examples: Checkmarx, Veracode, and Fortify on Demand
Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is a type of testing that analyzes the runtime behavior of an application to identify potential vulnerabilities. DAST tools are typically used later in the development process, and can help developers identify issues such as injection vulnerabilities, cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities, and other runtime vulnerabilities.
Examples: Burp Suite, Acunetix, and ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Interactive application security testing (IAST) is a type of testing that combines the capabilities of SAST and DAST, by analyzing both the source code and runtime behavior of an application to identify potential vulnerabilities. IAST tools can provide a more comprehensive view of an application's security posture, and can help developers identify issues that may not be detectable using SAST or DAST alone.
Examples: Contrast, SonarQube, Snyk, Veracode IAST, and AppScan
Runtime application self-protection (RASP) is a type of security technology that is designed to protect an application from attacks in real-time. RASP tools work by monitoring the runtime behavior of an application and blocking or mitigating malicious activity when it is detected.
Examples: ModSecurity, AppArmor, and FireEye RASP
Understanding the benefits and limitations of different application security testing approaches is important for developers, as it can help them choose the most appropriate tools and techniques for their specific needs. By using a combination of different application security testing approaches, developers can create more secure and robust applications that are better able to withstand attacks.