Securing Applications with Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Applications are at the center of most business operations today and drive productivity, innovation, and profitability. However, as applications grow in complexity, they also introduce new security risks. To tackle these risks, organizations are adopting a more proactive approach to security testing to safeguard their systems. One highly effective method is Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST).

DAST plays a pivotal role in identifying vulnerabilities within live applications, helping to reduce the attack surface and minimize potential threats against cyberattacks. As part of a broader application security (AppSec) strategy, which may also include Static Application Security Testing (SAST), another pentesting technique, DAST enables businesses to address a wide range of security issues.

As organizations face an increasing number of vulnerabilities – over 21,000 identified in just the first half of 2024 alone – frequent application updates expand the potential attack surface. To mitigate these risks, DAST provides a proactive solution for identifying and addressing security flaws before they can be exploited. This approach is especially critical as longstanding vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection and Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF), continue to be major threats.

What is DAST?

DAST is important to modern AppSec programs and is a pentesting method that analyzes an application while it is running to identify security weaknesses. Unlike SAST, DAST is a “Black Box” technique, meaning it doesn’t require access to the application’s source code. Instead, it tests the application externally by simulating real-world attacks to expose vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors.

Penetration testing, however, can be more comprehensive and may include Black Box (external perspective), White Box (full access to internal systems and source code), or Gray Box (partial knowledge) approaches. Pentesters may go beyond the application to test network security, hardware, infrastructure, and internal system vulnerabilities.

DAST is largely automated, providing faster results, especially for web applications. Traditional pentesting typically involves more manual, in-depth analysis by human experts who can uncover complex vulnerabilities. DAST is focused exclusively on application vulnerabilities visible from the outside.

The benefits of DAST include:

1. Improved application security
2. Transparent vulnerability reporting
3. Fast, scalable scanning

DAST tools can uncover a wide range of vulnerabilities, including those listed in the OWASP Top 10, while automated features make DAST ideal for DevOps environments. Additionally, many DAST tools integrate seamlessly with other testing methodologies, offering a comprehensive approach to securing applications.

In comparison to SAST, DAST identifies weaknesses later in the software development lifecycle (SDLC) that may persist in the application after it’s been deployed and running in a testing or production environment. By spotlighting these weaknesses, DAST enables DevOps teams to take appropriate action and fix security issues to ensure that both organizations and end-users get a more secure product.

Why Is DAST Important to the Modern Application Process?

Recent data reveals that the number of vulnerabilities discovered and publicly disclosed is on an upswing, increasing from around 25,000 in 2022 to 29,000+ in 2023. Over 21,000 vulnerabilities have already been discovered in 2024 – in just its first six months.

A reported 71% of organizations push updates to applications at least once per week. Needless to say, as the frequency of application changes increases, it expands the attack surface and increases its vulnerability to attack. Not to mention, organizations are still facing vulnerabilities like SQL injections and server-side request forgery (SSRF) – exploits that were first discovered way back in the ‘90s. Incidentally, both vulnerabilities are included in the latest OWASP Top 10 (2021), which shows that they continue to pose a risk to applications, and by extension, to organizations worldwide.

To mitigate these risks, a proactive application security testing approach like DAST is essential to actively identify and remediate them before they can be exploited by malicious threat actors.

Benefits of DAST

Enhanced Application Security

Various factors contribute to software vulnerabilities, such as design flaws, coding errors, outdated components, and supply chain issues. DAST helps identify and fix these issues late in the SDLC, improving the overall security of applications. It identifies a broad spectrum of vulnerabilities that may otherwise go unnoticed by other testing tools. By using techniques like fault injection, DAST exposes common vulnerabilities such as those listed in the OWASP Top 10.

Identifying Open-Source Vulnerabilities (CVEs)

DAST tools often incorporate software composition analysis (SCA), which scans third-party and open-source components to uncover known vulnerabilities (CVEs) or licensing issues. DAST can also detect outdated libraries, which may introduce complex dependencies and create security risks.

Detailed Vulnerability Reporting

DAST tools produce detailed reports outlining vulnerabilities, their severity, and actionable remediation steps. These insights enable development teams to address security flaws efficiently and reduce the risk of attacks.

Fast and Scalable Testing

Modern DAST tools offer automated, rapid scanning capabilities, making them suitable for large-scale enterprises in dynamic environments and CI/CD pipelines where thousands of applications are in play or in development.

Seamless Integration with Other Tools

Leading DAST tools integrate seamlessly and work alongside other security testing solutions like SAST, penetration testing, and attack surface management. This integration fosters a more comprehensive and unified approach to security applications.

Achieving Robust Application Security with BreachLock

BreachLock provides DAST, SAST, API Fuzzing testing for applications, as well as human-driven and continuous penetration testing services tailored to the unique security needs of enterprises, regardless of size. BreachLock Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) offers a hybrid model with flexible and versatile solutions allowing security practitioners to select the testing methodology that best aligns with their AppSec security goals.

DAST with BreachLock uses a Black Box approach to simulate external attacks on applications throughout the SDLC. By analyzing application behavior, DAST effectively identifies vulnerabilities that may surface later in the SDLC, particularly during testing or deployment stages. This proactive approach ensures that security risks are mitigated before they can be exploited, strengthening overall application security.

To learn more about how BreachLock’s DAST solution can secure your applications, schedule a free discovery call.

About BreachLock

BreachLock is a global leader in Continuous Attack Surface Discovery and Penetration Testing. Continuously discover, prioritize, and mitigate exposures with evidence-backed Attack Surface Management, Penetration Testing, and Red Teaming.

Elevate your defense strategy with an attacker’s view that goes beyond common vulnerabilities and exposures. Each risk we uncover is backed by validated evidence. We test your entire attack surface and help you mitigate your next cyber breach before it occurs.

Know your risk. Contact BreachLock today!