Security testing tools play a critical role in identifying vulnerabilities in applications throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Below is an overview of commonly used categories and tools, including Burp Suite, SAST, DAST, IAST, and other dynamic testing tools:
1. Burp Suite
- Type: Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) / Interactive (hybrid)
- Developer: PortSwigger
- Use Case: Manual and automated security testing of web applications.
- Key Features:
- Proxy for intercepting and modifying HTTP/S traffic
- Scanner (automated vulnerability detection)
- Repeater, Intruder, Sequencer, and Decoder for advanced testing
- Supports extensions (e.g., Passive Scanner++, AuthMatrix)
- Best For: Penetration testers, red teams, and security engineers performing in-depth manual assessments.
2. SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
- Approach: Analyzes source code, bytecode, or binaries without executing the application.
- Goal: Find coding flaws early (e.g., SQLi, XSS, insecure deserialization).
- Common Tools:
- SonarQube (with security rules)
- Checkmarx
- Fortify (Micro Focus)
- Semgrep (lightweight, rule-based)
- Bandit (Python-specific)
- SonarSource (commercial & open-source)
- Best For: Integration into CI/CD pipelines; developer-focused feedback.
3. DAST (Dynamic Application Stress Testing)
- Approach: Tests running applications by simulating attacks (black-box testing).
- Goal: Find runtime vulnerabilities (e.g., exposed APIs, misconfigurations).
- Common Tools:
- Burp Suite Professional
- OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
- Acunetix
- Netsparker
- Rapid7 InsightAppSec
- Best For: QA and security teams testing deployed/staging environments.
4. IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing)
- Approach: Combines elements of SAST and DAST by using agents/instrumentation inside the running app.
- Goal: Provide real-time, accurate vulnerability detection with low false positives.
- Common Tools:
- Contrast Security
- Synopsys Seeker
- HCL AppScan Enterprise (IAST mode)
- Checkmarx IAST
- Best For: DevSecOps environments needing high-accuracy feedback during testing phases (e.g., QA or automated test runs).
5. Other Dynamic Testing Tools
Beyond traditional DAST, several tools specialize in specific aspects of dynamic testing:
- API Security Testing:
- Postman + Security plugins
- 42Crunch
- Akto
- Burp Suite (with REST extensions)
- Fuzz Testing:
- OWASP WSFuzzer
- AFL (American Fuzzy Lop) – mainly for binaries
- Boofuzz – network protocol fuzzing
- Container & Cloud Security:
- Trivy (for container/image scanning)
- kube-bench (Kubernetes CIS benchmarking)
- Prowler (AWS security auditing)
- Mobile App Testing:
- MobSF (Mobile Security Framework)
- Drozer (Android)
- Needle (iOS)
Comparison Summary
| Approach | Execution | Code Access | Feedback Speed | Accuracy | Best Phase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAST | Static | Required | Fast (early) | Medium–High (false positives) | Dev / CI |
| DAST | Dynamic | Not needed | Slower | Medium (false negatives) | QA / Pre-prod |
| IAST | Dynamic + Instrumented | Partial (via agent) | Real-time | High | QA / Test automation |
| Burp Suite | Manual/Dynamic | Not needed | Interactive | High (with expertise) | Pen-testing |
Best Practices
- Shift Left: Integrate SAST/IAST early in CI/CD.
- Combine Tools: Use SAST + DAST for comprehensive coverage.
- Automate Where Possible: Use DAST in staging pipelines (e.g., OWASP ZAP in CI).
- Manual Validation: Always validate critical findings (especially from automated tools).