7 Application Security Tools for Dynamic Testing and Protection

What is application security testing?

Web applications are more likely to be targeted by hackers putting your website, blog, or forum in. Application security testing helps you find out all kinds of security weaknesses that can cause some serious damage. Modern websites used a combination of DAST and SAST security testing methodologies to stop hackers.

Over the last few years, concepts like RASP and IAST have been gaining popularity. Although the technology is still not up to the mark, a hybrid approach is inevitable. Businesses shouldn't be evaluating a dozen different security tools to understand what might work for them.

Most companies implement testing throughout the code life cycle to ensure that security scanning is a part of every step. It helps find inherent security flaws at a faster rate and much before it can cause any serious damage to the website. Let’s try and look at the difference between the most popular testing methodologies and if you should choose one over the other.

What is Static Application Security Testing?

In simplest of words, SAST is testing the source code for security flaws. This assessment methodology often takes place early in the code lifecycle. Also known as the white box testing method, it does not need the application to run or execute the code.

The purpose of SAST or Static Application Security Testing is to help the developers get real-time feedback as they develop the web properties.

Benefits of Static Application Security Testing

• It helps find complex coding flaws that are almost impossible to find without source code access

• Developers can keep an eye on security issues that arise early in the development cycle. It helps save a lot of time.

• SAST allows testers to point out the exact location of the flaw. In most cases, testers pinpoint the precise location of the code in question. This helps developers find and fix the issue promptly.

If used correctly, SAST is a comprehensive testing weapon that can keep the organization security from different kinds of attacks. There are dozens of SAST testing tools on the market today.

What is Dynamic Application Security Testing? 

DAST or Dynamic application security testing is the outside view of the web asset. Under this testing methodology, automated scanners or penetration testers try to crack your web application mimicking the hackers. They try to identify potential vulnerabilities that hackers would use to exploit your systems.

DAST is also known as blackbox testing and it is indispensable to securing modern web frameworks. Most companies use some form of dynamic testing to ensure that hackers do not steal their data, money, customers, or business reputation. 

Benefits of Dynamic Application Security Testing 

• Security teams or developers get to identify critical vulnerabilities that hackers would look to exploit.

• There is no need to provide the source code. Testing scanners or manual testers only need to mimic hacking environments and point out the security issues.

• DAST is less expensive compared to SAST.

• Automation makes it possible to test thousands of apps simultaneously.

• Static testing is scalable with your business.

Dynamic testing is a preferred choice of assessment for most modern businesses. Although a hybrid approach can help you achieve better security results, expenses often stop startups and small businesses to adopt both.

SAST vs. DAST Testing

Which testing methodology is right for you? Often experts argue about choosing one security testing over the other but we believe that a hybrid approach is best suited for most websites.

On one hand you would want to ensure the security of source code; and on the other you would want a thorough black box testing on a scalable model. In this piece, we are covering the most popular and trusted Dynamic Application Security Testing tools.

Detectify

Detectify is the most underrated tool in Dynamic Application Security testing. Although it is a newer tool on the market, the functionalities and benefits far exceed beyond what you get with tools like Acunetix that charge over $6000 for one property.

Deep Scan from Detectify is powerful and robust. It helps you discover and fix vulnerability on a continuous basis. The cloud, scalable model further ensures that you keep the growing business secure. We were impressed with the CVE library of the company that helps you keep the web property secure from even the latest vulnerabilities. The descriptive reports further add to its value.

Acunetix 

Unfortunately, Acunetix is not suitable for small businesses. Just to initiate a scan with this company you need in excess of $6000-7000, which most small businesses will not be able to afford. Over the last few years, Acunetix has increased its prices given its dominance and market leadership. 

Are these prices sustainable? With the new cloud and scalable scanners coming in, it seems inevitable that this scanner will have to reconsider pricing. However, if security is critical to your organization, it is one of the best tools out there. You can test out the dynamic testing features over a free trial.

HDIV Security

This company uses BurpSuite to identify and report vulnerabilities, which helps you keep a tab on priorities. The protection module makes it easier to secure the app.

HDIV has been a little hesitant to mention the pricing of its products on the website. This made us look into the details. For a startup, the security testing costs will go over $4000. Is it too much? Although HDIV Security is not the traditional scanner, the additional benefits do not justify the cost. According to a few reports, they are still testing the pricing models and we’d suggest that you get in touch to know more about it.

NetSparker

Compliance is a strong positive for this testing tool. HIPAA, OWASP, and PCI reports make it a strong contender for every business where security, reporting, compliance and customer data is of utmost importance.

On the pricing front, this is another expensive offering for businesses. Let’s assume that you have a single website for a medium-sized business and a security team of 5 people. NetSparker will charge $10000 a year for application security testing. It is definitely a lot of money especially for bootstrapped and initial rounds of funded companies. The basic plan comes at about $6000 but this is not the cloud package.

CheckMarx

Unlike other companies on the list, CheckMarx also offers a robust SAST tool. It can be used in sync with the DAST to ensure hybrid security. You can easily manage the entire infrastructure on their IASt platform. As a competitor to GitHub, it is not one of the most affordable tools on the market. It is highly respected by developers.

It is extremely difficult to find out the exact DAST cost for CheckMarx. Since the company is moving towards offering a complete development and security infrastructure, DAST is not their priority. We made a few phone calls to understand how the pricing works and it came out that for a team of 5, it would cost over $10000.  

Synopsys

Synopsys is built for scalability and flexibility. It is easy to use but for the large part, untested. We could not find a lot of reviews for the company. Given that there is no Free Trial, we recommend you ask for one through the ‘Demo’ option.

It is one of the lesser known application testing tools on the list. Understandably, the prices are on the lower side. Startups and small businesses can use their DAST product for as little as $500 a month, which includes on-demand analysis by an expert. Given the company also offers a powerful mobile app testing infrastructure, it is a better choice for ecom and financial businesses. 

What risks do the DAST tool scan?

Dynamic Application Security Testing or DAST scan is a broad term used for a number of testing methodologies. As blackbox testing or assessment, the exposure spans over different kinds of issues. OWASP Top 10 is the most basic place to start.

OWASP Top 10 Vulnerabilities

• Injection

This kind of vulnerability helps hackers inject and execute malicious chunks of code. It is one of the most critical vulnerabilities on SQL, NoSQL, OS, and LDAP. Most major security breaches in the past happened due to injection attacks. 

• Broken Authentication

Under this security loophole, hackers can take over user accounts. The inherent weaknesses allow hijackers to compromise keys, session tokens, passwords and other authentication and session management points.

• Sensitive Data Exposure

When APIs or apps do not protect the sensitive data, attackers can use this information to carry out different kinds of attacks. It allows them to carry out identity theft, steal credit card information or PII. 

• XML External Entities (XEE)

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to uncover internal files. They can use remote code injection, URI handler, DOS, internal pots or even file sharing mechanism to execute XEE. Developers often overlook the importance of this vulnerability.

• Broken Access Control

Imagine if you don’t enforce proper control on user right and some random user ends up having more privilege than they should. This is the exact definition of Broken Access Control and attackers are always on the lookout for such inherent system weaknesses. 

• Security Misconfiguration

It is a common security issue where the developers either overlook the importance of security or leave it that way by mistake. HTTP headers, open cloud space, and open code library are examples of such misconfiguration. 

• Cross-Site Scripting

When your application accepts untrusted data, attackers can use it to execute malicious scripts. Unlike injection attacks, XSS harms the end user of your app. It can create some serious business and reputational damage.

• Insecure Deserialization

Remote code execution is often due to thuis security vulnerability. Ensure that your deserialization is secure and not visible to everyone.

• Using Components With Known Vulnerabilities

Open source code, libraries, frameworks, software modules, and universal privilege settings can lead to the most catastrophic security issues. Whenever you introduce new components, ensure that they are thoroughly tested.

• Insufficient Logging And Monitoring

Most data breaches are not even detected for 150 days. It is critical to ensure that you are the first one to know an app hack. The little incidences will help you develop a better security framework through intelligence.

SANS 25 has emerged as one of the popular testing areas in synchronization with the OWASP 10.

SANS 25 Security Flaws

1. Use of Hard-coded Credentials

2. Incorrect Permission Assignment for Critical Resource

3. Deserialization of Untrusted Data

4. Improper Privilege Management

5. Uncontrolled Resource Consumption

6. Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime

7. Untrusted Search Path

8. Out-of-bounds Read

9. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)

10. Unrestricted Upload of File with Dangerous Type

11. Improper Certificate Validation

12. Improper Restriction of XML External Entity Reference

13. Use After Free

14. Integer Overflow or Wraparound

15. Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer

16. Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation (‘Cross-site Scripting’)

17. Improper Input Validation

18. Information Exposure

19. Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory (‘Path Traversal’)

20. Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command (‘OS Command Injection’)

21. Out-of-bounds Write

22. Improper Authentication

23. NULL Pointer Dereference

24. Improper Control of Generation of Code (‘Code Injection’)

25. Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command (‘SQL Injection’)