SAST
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a method used to analyze source code for vulnerabilities without executing the code.
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When to use it
Use SAST when you need to identify security vulnerabilities in your code before runtime. SAST tools scan the source code to catch issues like SQL injection or buffer overflows early in the development cycle, preventing costly fixes later.
Quick example
In Visual Studio Code, developers can integrate SAST plugins to automatically scan their code for vulnerabilities. These plugins analyze the codebase as you write, flagging potential security issues without requiring you to run the code. Here, the SAST plugin acts as the scanner, continuously monitoring and alerting developers to security risks in real-time.
Ecosystem
SAST tools fit into the broader security testing landscape, working alongside other methods to ensure code security.
┌─ DAST ─┐
code → │ SAST │→ deploy
└─ IAST ─┘
Misconceptions
| Misconception | Rebuttal |
|---|---|
| SAST finds all vulnerabilities | It only finds issues detectable in static code analysis |
| SAST requires code execution | SAST analyzes the code without running it |
| SAST replaces DAST | SAST complements DAST by finding different types of vulnerabilities |
Trade-offs
- Early detection — limited to code-visible issues
- Automation — potential for false positives
- Security focus — may miss runtime-specific vulnerabilities