DAST – Dynamic Application Security Testing

DAST is a type of security testing that analyzes an application while it is running (i.e., dynamically) to identify vulnerabilities that can be exploited during operation. Unlike SAST (Static Application Security Testing), which examines the source code, DAST focuses on identifying issues in a live environment, typically by simulating attacks on the application.

Key Features of DAST:

• Dynamic Testing: Tests the application during runtime to find vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and other runtime issues.
• No Access to Source Code: DAST operates externally by interacting with the running application through the user interface or APIs.
• Real-World Attack Simulation: Mimics real-world attacks to detect vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers in a live environment.

Advantages:

• Detects Runtime Issues: Identifies vulnerabilities that only appear during runtime, such as configuration flaws or insecure communication.
• Real-World Threat Simulation: Helps assess how the application would behave under actual attack scenarios.
• No Source Code Access Needed: Useful when source code is unavailable or when testing deployed applications.

DAST is typically used by security testers or penetration testers to evaluate applications in production and ensure they are secure against live threats.