Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

Sep 21, 2021
Dec 20, 2023
2 minutes
codereviewn3nxsecurity

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is an essential part of our security strategy to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in running applications. This plan outlines the key components and procedures for implementing DAST in our projects.

Objectives

  1. Identify Vulnerabilities:

    • Detect and analyze security vulnerabilities in the running application.

  2. Simulate Real-World Attacks:

    • Mimic real-world attack scenarios to uncover potential security weaknesses.

  3. Prioritize Remediation:

    • Prioritize and categorize identified vulnerabilities based on their severity and potential impact.

  4. Continuous Improvement:

    • Establish a continuous improvement process based on feedback from DAST findings.

DAST Tools Selection

  1. Tool Criteria:

    • Choose DAST tools that align with the project's technology stack.
    • Evaluate tools for accuracy, coverage, and ease of integration.

  2. Tool Integration:

    • Integrate DAST tools into the continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipeline.

Testing Procedures

  1. Frequency:

    • Conduct DAST regularly as part of the continuous testing cycle.

  2. Scope Definition:

    • Define the scope of DAST testing, including specific URLs and functionalities to be tested.

  3. Authentication Handling:

    • Configure DAST tools to handle authentication mechanisms appropriately.

  4. Parameter Manipulation:

    • Perform thorough testing of input validation by manipulating parameters.

  5. Attack Surface Coverage:

    • Ensure comprehensive coverage by testing various entry points and user inputs.

Reporting and Analysis

  1. Report Generation:

    • Generate detailed reports highlighting identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and recommendations for remediation.

  2. Prioritization:

    • Prioritize vulnerabilities based on severity and potential impact on the application.

  3. Remediation Recommendations:

    • Provide clear and actionable recommendations for remediating identified vulnerabilities.

Collaboration and Communication

  1. Stakeholder Communication:

    • Communicate DAST findings to relevant stakeholders, including developers and project managers.

  2. Collaboration with Development Teams:

    • Collaborate closely with development teams to address and remediate identified vulnerabilities.

  3. Feedback Loop:

    • Establish a feedback loop for continuous improvement based on lessons learned from DAST findings.

Compliance and Regulations

  1. Compliance Checks:

    • Ensure that DAST processes align with relevant industry regulations and compliance requirements.

  2. Documentation:

    • Maintain documentation detailing the DAST process, tools used, and testing outcomes.

By following this DAST plan, we aim to proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities, contributing to the overall security posture of our applications.