DAST, SAST, and SCA are methodologies and tools used in software security testing to identify vulnerabilities and policy violations. Here's an overview of each:
1. DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
DAST is a type of security testing that analyzes applications in their running state to identify vulnerabilities. It involves simulating external attacks on a live application to discover security weaknesses.
DAST Policy Violations:
Injection Flaws: SQL injection, command injection, and other forms of injection attacks.
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Reflective, stored, or DOM-based XSS vulnerabilities.
Broken Authentication and Session Management: Flaws in authentication mechanisms or session handling that can be exploited.
Security Misconfigurations: Insecure configurations of servers, databases, or applications.
Sensitive Data Exposure: Inadequate protection of sensitive data such as credit card numbers or personal information.
2. SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
SAST is a method of security testing that examines source code, bytecode, or binary code to identify vulnerabilities. It analyzes the codebase before the application is run, focusing on the internal structure of the application.
SAST Policy Violations:
Code Injection: Potential for SQL injection, command injection, etc.
Buffer Overflows: Code vulnerabilities that could lead to buffer overflow attacks.
Insecure Cryptography: Use of weak or broken cryptographic algorithms and practices.
Hardcoded Secrets: Hardcoded passwords, API keys, or other sensitive information.
Insecure Code Practices: Poor coding practices that could lead to security weaknesses (e.g., improper error handling, insecure object references).
3. SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
SCA focuses on analyzing the components and dependencies of software, especially open-source components, to identify known vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with licensing requirements.
SCA Policy Violations:
Known Vulnerabilities: Use of components with known security vulnerabilities.
License Compliance Issues: Violations of open-source software licenses (e.g., using GPL-licensed code in a proprietary application without adhering to the license terms).
Outdated Dependencies: Use of outdated or unsupported software components that may no longer receive security updates.
Misconfigured Dependencies: Incorrectly configured dependencies that could introduce security risks.
Mitigating Policy Violations
To mitigate these policy violations, organizations should:
Implement Regular Security Testing: Use DAST, SAST, and SCA tools regularly throughout the development lifecycle.
Adopt Secure Coding Practices: Train developers on secure coding standards and practices.
Automate Security Checks: Integrate security testing tools into the CI/CD pipeline for continuous monitoring.
Patch Management: Keep software dependencies and components up to date with the latest security patches.
Compliance Management: Ensure that software components comply with licensing terms and security policies.
By leveraging DAST, SAST, and SCA tools, organizations can significantly enhance their security posture and reduce the risk of security breaches and compliance issues.
