What should be my AppSec Priority? SCA, SAST or DAST

Introduction

Are you struggling to determine the most suitable application security strategy for your development environment? Are you confused as to whether it will be SCA, SAST or DAST. There are broadly three distinct types of application security scanning tools available: software composition analysis (SCA), static application security testing (SAST), and dynamic application security testing (DAST). Each tool serves a crucial purpose in scanning for vulnerabilities in containers or application components. When considering which tool to incorporate into the DevSecOps trust process, the Head of Application Security, CISO, or Head of DevOps should aim to integrate a combination of all three tools for a comprehensive AppSec strategy. While there may be differences between SCA, SAST, and DAST, each tool contributes uniquely to enhancing application security. Therefore, practitioners seeking to enhance their open-source security and mitigate license risk management should consider adopting a blend of all three tools for a robust security strategy.

Static Code Analysis (SCA) is a powerful tool that thoroughly examines your source code, identifying vulnerabilities and potential weaknesses. By analysing the codebase, SCA helps you proactively address security issues before they become major concerns. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) takes a comprehensive approach to security by analysing the entire application. It scans for vulnerabilities, coding errors, and potential threats, providing you with a detailed report to guide your remediation efforts. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is another excellent choice for organizations seeking a robust security solution. By simulating real-world attacks, DAST identifies vulnerabilities in your application while it is running. This allows you to understand how your application responds to different threats and take appropriate measures to enhance its security. Each of these solutions offers unique benefits, but the right choice depends on your organization's specific needs and goals. It is important to identify the security bug right at the development stage and neutralise it so that those are not discovered during the final penetration testing just before the go live. There are several OEMs that are available in this space like Veracode, Checkmarx, Acunetix, HCLAppScan etc to name a few. Choose the solution that best aligns with your organization's objectives.

Fortunately, by doing so, we can guarantee the safety and reliability of any software in the midst of ever-changing cyber risks. This is not merely a debate between static code analysis and software composition analysis, but rather a harmonious collaboration. SCA, SAST, and DAST each play distinct yet crucial roles in strengthening application security. Let's delve into how they accomplish this.

Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

SCA tools are essential for detecting and controlling open-source components in software, by scanning for vulnerabilities in these components. In order to enhance efficiency and leverage third-party APIs, developers are increasingly incorporating open-source elements into their code. It is estimated that almost all business applications utilized in enterprises today contain some form of open-source software (OSS). The challenge lies in the fact that no single organization is responsible for monitoring these libraries and functions. While the GitHub community promptly identifies vulnerabilities as they arise, this means that an AppSec or development team may inadvertently expose their software to hidden vulnerabilities present in open-source components. Hence, as a crucial part of any compliance and risk management process, teams should utilize an SCA tool to ensure that these risks associated with open-source vulnerabilities are effectively managed.

Which Software Composition Analysis Tool Is Needed?

Not all SCA solutions are able to fulfill all the requirements of an organization, despite their effectiveness. While most solutions check the manifest file, which contains crucial information about a computer program or project, many of them only focus on identifying publicly known vulnerabilities. Although these solutions can help teams identify and address vulnerabilities quickly, they often fall short in taking the next step. Simply monitoring the latest hacks is not sufficient. That's why open-source scanner, with SCA capabilities, goes beyond the basics and examines additional aspects such as contributor names to identify potential bad actors. Through inspection of every open-source library in a controlled environment is required to ensure it behaves as expected. This level of testing is essential for enterprise-level security and goes beyond the standard 'good enough' approach. While SCA is just one component of the comprehensive 360-degree AppSec testing approach, where we thoroughly evaluate software applications and systems for any potential security vulnerabilities or weaknesses that could pose a risk to the organization there are other tool considerations that is important. That's it is recommended to utilize SAST and DAST in addition to SCA, as these approaches provide equivalent levels of analysis to the code developed by your own team of developers.

So, when do we need DAST?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) evaluates applications while they are running by mimicking attacks to pinpoint security flaws. DAST offers a unique perspective on how applications respond to attacks, uncovering vulnerabilities that may only be apparent during operation. This goes beyond the capabilities of Software Composition Analysis (SCA) and is crucial for detecting intricate security issues. DAST provides clear visibility into an application's real-time security posture, making it an essential component of a comprehensive security strategy. However, it is important to also consider the distinctions between static code analysis and software composition analysis to further enhance your defence mechanisms.

When do we need SAST?

SAST, also known as static testing, plays a crucial role in identifying security vulnerabilities within the source code. By detecting potential issues early on during the development phase, SAST helps in minimizing the expenses associated with fixing security flaws after deployment. Moreover, integrating SAST into the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is essential to guarantee the security of the code before it is deployed, ultimately improving the overall code quality.

SCA, DAST and SAST: A Comparison

It is evident that the three approaches mutually enhance each other. SCA focuses on effectively managing and safeguarding the open-source components that are valuable for constructing exceptional business applications. On the other hand, SAST and DAST play crucial roles in ensuring the security of the custom code that you intend to deploy. To better comprehend this concept, consider the following analogy: SAST takes a proactive stance by identifying potential issues during the development phase. DAST, on the other hand, adopts a reactive approach by uncovering vulnerabilities in applications that have already been deployed.

How do they all stack up

In the current era of web and digital transformation, the complexity of applications has significantly increased. Developers now have a wide range of technologies and components to choose from when building solutions. To ensure a thorough software composition analysis and provide developers with the freedom to make choices while maintaining productivity, it is crucial for organizations to prioritize the following steps, as recommended by AppSec leaders:

1) Developers should check their code into a repository, where an automated SAST scanning can be done. This scan will provide immediate feedback to address any issues that may arise.

2) During the build phase, it is essential to utilize SCA to identify any vulnerabilities that may exist in open-source components. This step ensures that developers are aware of potential risks.

3) After the application has been built, it is recommended to automate DAST scans before going live. This proactive approach helps to identify and resolve any remaining problems before they can impact the application's security.

By using a single platform, all three steps can be seamlessly integrated. This integration allows the security team to have a comprehensive view of all vulnerabilities in one place. It also enables them to take appropriate actions based on the information gathered. This unified approach combines the benefits of SCA, SAST, and DAST, ultimately enhancing application security.