Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools use simulated attacks or penetration tests to identify run-time vulnerabilities in web applications that are in production. They continuously scan applications for vulnerabilities that a cybercriminal could exploit via an attack such as
SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF), among others. Once a vulnerability is detected, the DAST tool then reports it to the development team, who can take actions to remediate it.
In the modern world, web applications are central to many public-facing and internal business processes. If an application is deployed with vulnerabilities in it, the company that deploys it could fall victim to a cyberattack. This, in turn, could have reputational and financial repercussions for the development company. Building DAST into the software development lifecycle can help developers avoid these issues by enabling them to quickly identify and remediate vulnerabilities in their applications, before they’re made accessible to the public.
As well as helping development teams to identify vulnerabilities, DAST tools can highlight misconfigurations within applications and any issues with the app’s interface or user experience. They can also help development organizations to prove compliance with any data protection regulations that require them to test their apps for known vulnerabilities.
In this article, we’ll explore the top 10 DAST tools designed to help you identify and remediate vulnerabilities in your applications. We’ll highlight the key use cases and features of each solution, including vulnerability scanning and authentication scanning, support for different programming languages, reporting, and integrations.
Acunetix is a web application security solution that is designed to detect vulnerabilities within web applications. This tool can detect over 7,000 different vulnerabilities, including SQL injections, XSS, misconfigurations, exposed databases, and out-of-band threats. By using blended DAST + IAST scanning, Acunetix provides comprehensive threat coverage. The platform can automatically identify all of a company’s websites, applications, and APIs, ensuring that potential entry points are consistently monitored and not left exposed.
For deeper dives, Acunetix can effectively scan single-page applications, script-heavy sites developed with HTML5 and JavaScript, and even hard-to-reach areas like password-protected sections or unlinked files. When vulnerabilities are detected, results are delivered quickly (even before the full scan has finished). To assist users in addressing these vulnerabilities, the tool minimizes false positives and offers explicit guidance on remediation, highlighting the exact lines of code that need correction. In addition to this, Acunetix integrates smoothly into the development pipeline. It allows developers to connect to tools they regularly use, such as CI/CD, issue trackers, and WAFs. This not only makes vulnerability management more efficient but also promotes a shared responsibility for web application security across development teams.
Checkmarx DAST is a dynamic application security testing solution designed to identify vulnerabilities in web applications. This tool allows you to detect vulnerabilities in live applications through understanding the application’s behavior during simulated attacks. The platform can be integrated and automated as part of the CI/CD process, ensuring that applications undergo comprehensive security testing in the runtime environment before their release to production. The platform seamlessly integrates into existing software pipelines, reducing the complications often associated with standalone AST solutions.
Users of Checkmarx DAST benefit from unified reporting; this compiles vulnerability findings from various Checkmarx testing solutions into a single dashboard, offering a comprehensive view of application risk. One of the key features is the aggregated scanning; this triggers multiple scan types from a single action, providing a thorough assessment of code security. The platform ensures speed and scalability through cloud-powered scanning, eliminating the need for users to manage scanning infrastructure. The Checkmarx Platform offers support for over 30 programming languages, various package managers, and a growing array of IaC templates. The company also provides end-to-end support, assisting clients from deployment to remediation, emphasizing speed, efficiency, and measurable security enhancements.
Fortify WebInspect by OpenText is a dynamic application security testing (DAST) solution that is designed to identify security vulnerabilities and configuration issues within applications. By simulating real-world external security attacks, the platform helps professionals pinpoint vulnerabilities. The solution can be controlled through a user dashboard or deployed as a fully automated solution. This ensures that it can integrate seamlessly into the software development lifecycle (SDLC).
Key features of WebInspect include Functional Application Security Testing (FAST), which continues crawling even if a functional test misses an aspect. Users can view details such as client-side frameworks and their version numbers. The solution can utilize HAR files for workflow scanning, manage application security risks, and scale flexibly with on-premises, SaaS, or AppSec-as-a-service deployments. The platform also provides pre-set policies and reports for compliance regulations such as PCI DSS, ISO 27K, and HIPAA. The solution’s horizontal scaling capability uses Kubernetes for parallel JavaScript processing, allowing faster scan times. Fortify WebInspect features REST APIs for integration and can be connected to OpenText Application Lifecycle Management, Quality Center, and other security systems. It also supports the scanning of RESTful web services and the pre-configuration of scan templates for user convenience.
HCL AppScan is a dynamic application security testing tool tailored for web applications, web APIs, and mobile backends. Designed primarily for security professionals and penetration testers, this tool automates security scans, efficiently identifying vulnerabilities. Users are granted access to the results of detailed test and insights regarding the vulnerabilities detected. This aids in understanding and addressing potential security issues. HCL AppScan also supports various compliance and industry standard reports such as PCI, HIPAA, and OWASP Top 10, catering to diverse regulatory needs.
The platform has advanced configuration features that enable the scanning of complex applications. With the capacity to record and assess multi-step sequences, HCL AppScan can dynamically generate unique data, while tracking various headers and tokens. Machine Learning components enhance its ability to navigate larger applications by predicting the most promising links. HCL AppScan also provides incremental scanning to focus solely on new sections of an application, saving time and ensuring that the balance between speed and efficiency is successfully negotiated. The triage and remediation process are also prioritised with HCL AppScan; in-depth reports and insights are provided to users, ensuring that can understand relevant issues.
InsightAppSec is designed to automate the process of identifying and triaging vulnerabilities, prioritizing actions, and mitigating application risks. It employs black-box security testing and specializes in Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST). Through using a comprehensive attack framework and library, the platform can automatically provide accurate insights. It will also evaluate modern web applications and APIs, offering efficient assessments with reduced false positives and overlooked vulnerabilities. The solution’s Universal Translator analyzes various formats, protocols, and development technologies utilized in contemporary mobile and browser applications. InsightAppSec tests for more than 95 attack types, surpassing the OWASP Top Ten. Its Attack Replay function lets developers validate vulnerabilities, streamlining the remediation process.
InsightAppSec’s reporting capabilities are robust, allowing for exports in both static and interactive HTML formats. These reports not only provide technical details on vulnerabilities, but also assist in compliance evaluation, highlighting compliance risks related to standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and the OWASP Top Ten. Additionally, the platform incorporates both cloud and on-premises scanning engines, ensuring flexibility in scanning different application environments. With a modern UI, the platform promises a quick setup, meaning that scans can commence within five minutes. Integrations with systems like Atlassian Jira further enhance the workflow, bridging the gap between security and development teams.
Invicti is an application security testing tool designed for enterprise environments. It offers automated security testing capabilities that easily integrate into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC). This automation is designed to help security and development teams address vulnerabilities efficiently, whilst streamlining the remediation processes. Through the unique dynamic and interactive (DAST + IAST) scanning method, Invicti provides a comprehensive view into an organization’s application security landscape, including identifying web assets that may have been overlooked or forgotten.
Invicti can identify a wide range of vulnerabilities while reporting fewer false positives, ensuring that insights are valuable and accurate. This precision is due to Invicti’s combined signature and behavior-based testing. The solution is scalable, assisting teams in managing their security workload efficiently, regardless of the volume of vulnerabilities or the complexity of the organization’s structure. Invicti also emphasizes proactive security by integrating into developer tools and workflows. This approach not only helps in identifying vulnerabilities but also educates developers on creating secure code, thereby reducing potential future risks.
Burp Suite offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to support the manual and automated discovery, analysis, testing and remediation of web application vulnerabilities. The browser integration allows users to intercept and modify every HTTP message. It aids in a quick assessment of target applications through assessing static and dynamic URLs. The platform supports HTTP/2 testing and WebSocket communication, ensuring that users can work with a broad range of application architectures.
Burp Scanner uses an embedded browser and a JavaScript analysis engine to identify weaknesses, even within complex single-page applications (SPAs). It offers authenticated scanning capabilities, adaptable to intricate login mechanisms like single sign-on (SSO). The platform also offers a “Burp Logger” and “Organizer” tool to streamline user experience; it enables users to log every HTTP message and store noteworthy findings. The platform’s custom application marketplace houses over 250 extensions, with users able to create custom extensions using the Montoya API. The platform’s adaptability ensures that users can tailor their testing environment to specific needs, optimizing efficiency and results.
StackHawk is a dynamic application security testing solution that is designed specifically for modern engineering teams. It offers a developer-centric approach, enabling teams to incorporate security testing seamlessly within their CI/CD workflows. This approach not only facilitates more rapid and secure software deployment, but also supports the principle of shifting security processes to earlier stages in the development lifecycle. The platform is designed with adaptability in mind, operating across diverse platforms, independent of language, and complementing the pace and practices of modern software deployment.
The StackHawk platform carries out exhaustive scans of various API types, including REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and gRPC. It also provides the flexibility to run tests in conjunction with existing build tools and is designed to scan a range of application architectures, from microservices and APIs to traditional and single-page applications. The platform is customizable, allowing the creation of specific test scripts tailored to individual application scenarios. To ensure ease of integration into daily workflows, StackHawk supports management of findings within existing ticketing systems.
WhiteHat Dynamic is a cloud-based, dynamic application security testing (DAST) Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution. It offers the ability for businesses to efficiently conduct vulnerability assessments on web applications in both QA and production environments. The software aims to detect potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited. WhiteHat Dynamic integrates AI and ML to produce precise results, while minimizing false positives. The solution extends beyond just detection, providing verified vulnerabilities alongside actionable reports. Businesses can gauge their security health via the WhiteHat Security Index, a visual tool that offers a comprehensive overview of web application security based on varied indicators and industry insights.
WhiteHat Dynamic delivers continuous analysis; this perpetual scanning of web applications means that code changes and vulnerabilities can be identified instantly. This ensures that the software remains alert to new vulnerabilities and can reassess risks without starting from scratch, offering businesses an “always on” security appraisal. The software guarantees data safety during production assessments, using benign injections in lieu of active code and fine-tuning its scans to maintain optimal performance. The solution is designed to exceed PCI DSS 3.1 requirements, with users benefiting from access to expert web application security consultants, open API integration capabilities, and compatibility with both single-page and traditional applications.
Veracode is designed to identify vulnerabilities in runtime environments, specifically targeting web applications and APIs. The platform emphasizes the ability to simultaneously scan multiple applications, even those situated behind firewalls, in pre-production, or staging environments. The platform employs a cloud-native engine to enhance scan and audit capabilities. This includes a unified crawl and audit feature that simplifies the scanning process, thereby reducing both time and potential errors. Dynamic scans from the platform can be viewed within the Veracode Platform alongside other security test applications, offering a broader perspective on an organization’s security posture.
Veracode’s interface is tailored for web application and API scanning, ensuring that UX is straightforward. Users can also benefit from granular scan control with features like browser limitation and authentication support. To further assist in vulnerability management, the platform integrates with popular ticketing systems, providing comprehensive reports and insights. If a user requires additional assistance to interpret results or decide what remediation steps to take, Veracode provides experts to help with these queries. The platform has a low false positive rate (less than 5%) and provides detailed remediation guidance, meaning that organizations can facilitate faster fixes and focus on genuine vulnerabilities.
Everything You Need To Know About Dynamic Application Security Testing Tools (FAQs)
What Is Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is the process of using simulated attacks (also called “penetration tests”) to find vulnerabilities in a web application while it’s still in production. These simulated attacks are carried out through the front end of the application, enabling the DAST scanner to analyze the app just as an external threat actor would. As web apps evolve during production, DAST tools continue to scan them frequently to ensure that risks are picked up and resolved quicky and efficiently.
Web applications are integral to many businesses processes, both public-facing (such as eCommerce stores) and internal-facing (such as financial, HR, sales, content management, and marketing systems). If an application is rolled out with vulnerabilities, an attacker could exploit those vulnerabilities via an attack such as an SQL injection or cross-site scripting (XSS), and steal the data stored not only in that application, but anywhere on the victim’s network. This can greatly harm the organization the bought and deployed the app, as well as lead to the financial and reputational damage of the company that developed it.
By building DAST into the software development lifecycle early on, developers can identify and remediate vulnerabilities in their applications before they’re made available to the public—and to cybercriminals. Not only does this reduce the chance of a data breach down the line, but it also makes the vulnerability cheaper to fix.
However, DAST tools aren’t the only form of web application security out there. Many development teams combine DAST tools with Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools, which analyze the source code of an application for vulnerabilities. Using both DAST and SAST together enables development teams to gain a comprehensive view of their application’s attack surface, from the outside in (DAST) and the inside out (SAST).
You can read our guide to the Top SAST Tools here.
How Do DAST Tools Work?
DAST tools continuously analyze web applications that are in production from the front end, scanning for run-time vulnerabilities that a cybercriminal could try to exploit. These scans usually involve checking access points via HTTP, carrying out simulated attacks using various known vulnerabilities and risk user actions, and testing the application’s API service by sending verification requests and incorrect data.
Most DAST scanners are made up of two components that carry out these checks: a crawler and an analyzer. The crawler goes through every link on every page within the application, examines the contents of files, and presses buttons. This gives the development team insight into the different ways that an attacker could interact with the app. The analyzer, on the other hand, both passively studies the information provided by the crawler, and actively sends requests with incorrect data to the application. It then uses the app’s responses to those incorrect requests to identify vulnerabilities.
When they find vulnerabilities, DAST tools automatically alert the development team, and create a report of how an attacker could remotely exploit that vulnerability. Some DAST solutions also offer a “attack replay” feature that guides development teams through the discovery and potential exploitation of the vulnerability, so it’s easier for them to locate and remediate it.
As well as discovering vulnerabilities, development teams can use DAST solutions to identify misconfigurations within their applications, as well as highlight any problems with the end user experience. They can also use DAST tools to help streamline regulatory compliance; some development companies use the OWASP Top 10 list of vulnerabilities as a compliance benchmark for application security, and a DAST cool can provide evidence that a development company is evaluating their applications and remediating those vulnerabilities.
What Features Should You Look For In A DAST Tool?
There are a few key features that you should look for in any strong DAST tool:
- Most organizations today use multiple web applications, each of which may contain multiple vulnerabilities. Attackers know this, and often try to compromise an organization via an unused or legacy service, then use that compromised service as a foothold to spread their attack laterally throughout the network. The best DAST tools should use domain data and SSL certificates to identify all of your web apps, then scan each of those assets for vulnerabilities—no matter what programming languages have been used to develop them.
- Comprehensive testing. Web applications can be very complex—it’s important that your chosen DAST tool has comprehensive crawling and analysis functionality that enable it to scan newer technologies powered by JavaScript and AJAX—not just HTML. Many apps also include features or functions that are only accessible after a user has logged in. To ensure those features are secure, you should look for a DAST solution that offers authenticated scanning.
- API scanning. Lots of modern web applications are built using a combination of custom code and open-source or third-party code that’s accessed via web APIs. So, your DAST tool should be able to scan those APIs, with support for common API formats, including WADL and OpenAPI.
- Remediation support. The best DAST tools offer in-depth, actionable vulnerability reports that help developers to quickly identify and remediate security issues. These should be generated automatically and include details on the severity of the issue. Some DAST tools also offer root cause analysis; others offer “attack replay” features that give proof the exploit exists, helping to reduce false positives; others still offer recommended remediation actions.
- Compliance reporting. Web apps must often comply with federal and industry data privacy and security compliance requirements. This is particularly common for apps built for use in highly regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, or government. You should look for a DAST tool that can help automate compliance reporting by providing out-of-the-box reporting templates for your specific requirements, or enabling you to build custom reports. These can help you identify issues that need addressing, as well as prove to compliance bodies that you’re regularly testing your application’s security.
- Your chosen DAST solution should integrate seamlessly with your existing development environment, including any issue-tracking tools, continuous integration solutions SAST or IAST tools, and your development and testing workflows. Usually, these integrations come in the form of APIs.
- Automatic, continuous testing. Any DAST solution worth its salt should enable you to schedule frequent, ongoing scans to help reduce the period between a vulnerability appearing within your app, and it being identified and remediated. This will make it much easier and cheaper to solve any issues.
