Top DAST Tools You Should Know About

Quick Summary: DAST tools help you focus on shift-left security approach, which is quite essential for your web applications and APIs. However, choosing the right DAST tool can be challenging. To help you decide, we are giving you some options and their use cases, which can make your security testing easy.

In a world where every developer and security team is moving towards shift-left security in development, this approach empowers them to proactively identify and address vulnerabilities early. However, once your app goes live, business owners usually take security testing for granted. And that’s when cyber attacks take place.

Now the question is – with the rise of cyber threats and data breaches of websites and apps, can businesses really afford to lose their gap on security testing even after production? And surprisingly, most developers fail to identify security vulnerabilities even when there’s no cyber attacks. Therefore, security testing is critical to ensure smooth and secure operations of web applications.

Consider DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing), which helps you automate security testing to detect weaknesses and vulnerabilities during runtime. The DAST tool scans web applications continuously during run time to identify weaknesses that malicious actors can exploit with SQL injection, CSRF, XSS, and other types of attacks.

But with numerous options available in the market, how do you choose the right DAST scanner? Whether you are a professional developer or a security expert dipping your toes into the world of DevSecOps, this blog will guide you through the best DAST tool you need to know. In this blog, we have put together a list of top dynamic application security tools that you can utilize to test web apps and track possible weaknesses.

We will discuss every tool with its strengths and weaknesses. Let’s check the list of top DAST tools that you can utilize for web application security testing.

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Top DAST Tools for Testing Web Applications

Having said that earlier, choosing the right DAST testing tool is crucial for getting the desired results. So, let’s explore some top DAST tools for application security testing.

ZeroThreat

Built on Zero Trust architecture, ZeroThreat is designed to provide comprehensive dynamic application security testing for heavy JavaScript apps, web applications, SPAs, and APIs. It’s an automated DAST scanner that scans common CVEs, critical vulnerabilities like OWASP Top 10, CWE/SANS Top 25, session hijacking, sensitive data, and provides real-time detailed remediation reports.

ZeroThreat is a cloud-based DAST scanner that empowers startups, large enterprises, and cybersecurity experts to protect their applications without configuration.

Key Features:

• Database of 40,000+ vulnerability detection
• 5x faster scanning speed
• Compliance-based reports – HIPAA, GDPR, SOC2, ISO 27001, OWASP
• AI-powered remediation report
• No technical knowledge required for scanning
• Zero false positives
• Sensitive data exposure scanning
• Zero configuration for web app scanning
• Fully automated penetration testing

Limitations:

• Only limited to web apps and APIs, but not mobile apps

ZAP

ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy), which was earlier known as OWASP ZAP is an open-source dynamic application security testing tool that is suitable for both experienced and non-experienced testers. It is an easy tool for developers, penetration testers, and quality assurance experts.

The Java programming language was used to write this, and it is available in 29 languages. ZAP is available for Windows, Linux, and MAC systems. It automates web app security checks and provides a range of extensions to enhance its capabilities. It can also manipulate HTTP/S requests, acting as a proxy server.

Key Features:

• Ajax web crawlers
• Active and passive scanning
• WebSocket support
• Brute Force Attack
• Fuzz testing
• Plug-n-Hack support

Limitations:

• Clunky and outdated UI
• Limited automated scanning capabilities
• Hard to start with for novices
• There is no web version

HCL AppScan

HCL AppScan - DAST tool is designed to perform security checks on web applications, APIs, and mobile backends. AppScan is suitable for penetration testers and security experts. It offers automated security scans and efficient vulnerability detection. It also supports various industry standards and compliance reports like OWASP, HIPAA, PCI, etc.

HCL AppScan improves scanning capability for complex web applications with its advanced configuration features. Testers and developers can make the right decisions quickly with in-depth reports and insights it offers after testing and vulnerability scanning.

Key Features:

• It’s a cloud-based security testing tool
• Offers advantages of both DAST and SAST
• Integrates with CI/CD pipeline
• It comes with machine learning components

Limitations:

• Troubleshooting is a bit difficult
• Scanning can take more time sometimes
• Sometimes scanning is not proper

Checkmarx

When it comes to top dynamic application security testing tools, Checkmarx has its own unique position. It helps testers understand the behavior of a live application with simulated attacks and find the vulnerabilities that could pose a threat. Integrating into the CI/CD pipeline, it offers automated scans and helps detect weaknesses in web apps before release to production.

Seamless integration with existing development pipelines reduces the complications that arise with many AST solutions. It provides a single dashboard to present all information about findings and vulnerabilities after scanning.

Key Features:

• Multiple scan types from a single action
• Cloud-powered scanning ensures speed and scalability
• It supports 30+ programming languages
• It also supports different IaC templates and package managers
• Customization for tailored testing

Limitations:

• Difficult to integrate with the Mac systems
• Excessive permissions
• Many programming languages are not supported
• Customization is a bit complex
• More false positives

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AppCheck

AppCheck is one of those dynamic application security testing tools that organizations use for comprehensive analysis. It covers security testing for web apps, websites, APIs, cloud infrastructure, networks, and applications. It is packed with features suitable for testers and developers to scan and detect security flaws in web apps accurately.

AppCheck is handy for security professionals to scan and detect vulnerabilities in complex web apps. It not only detects known vulnerabilities but can also track some of the hardest security weaknesses and misconfigurations that a malicious actor can exploit.

Key Features:

• Scans vulnerabilities across multiple platforms and frameworks
• Offers dynamic fuzzing technology for deeper analysis
• Detect hidden (out-of-band) issues
• It is technology agnostic
• Easy to use
• Provides proof of concept evidence

Limitations:

• Slow and outdated UI
• Navigating and managing a large number of scans can be a bit difficult

Nikto

It is an efficient web server scanner which is open source and scans vulnerabilities with a command-line interface. This software is written in Perl programming language and available on GPL v2 license. Nikto is able to detect more than 6700 dangerous files/CGIs. Besides this, it checks outdated servers and version-specific problems.

Nikto can also scan configuration items like multiple index files and server options. It can identify web servers and software already installed. It is maintained with plug-ins and scan items updated regularly.

Key Features:

• Detect misconfigurations
• Scan common server vulnerabilities
• Detect outdated software and servers
• Allows creating custom scan profiles
• Offers well-structured reports

Limitations:

• It is not easy for many users because it’s CLI-based
• Scans can be blocked by IDS/IPS systems

OpenText Fortify WebInspect

Fortify WebInspect is a suitable DAST solution for a development team looking to detect potential vulnerabilities during SDLC. It simulates real-world external security attacks and detects vulnerabilities and configuration issues within applications.

This DAST scanner comes with several options for organizations – on-prem, SaaS, and AppSec-as-a-Service. This platform increases scanning speed by using Kubernetes for parallel JavaScript processing.

In fact, when it comes to security testing tools for web applications, Fortify WebInspect is a flexible solution and option to customize reporting as needed due to its horizontal scaling.

Key Features:

• Supports both automated scanning and manual penetration testing.
• Generates detailed reports for security standards
• Uses machine learning to enhance scan accuracy

Limitations:

• Requires significant system resources for scanning
• Need security expertise for optimal results

Rapid7 InsightAppSec

Being a prominent DAST scanner in the market, Rapid7 InsightAppSec provides in-depth scanning to triage and remediate vulnerabilities for web applications. It provides an accurate insight that helps you to reduce false positives and discover often-overlooked vulnerabilities.

Rapid7 is a modern, flexible, scalable app security testing tool that uses the Attack Replay to validate vulnerabilities and streamline remediation. It adheres to the highest compliance standards, such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS and OWASP for better AppSec posture.

You can leverage both cloud and on-prem scanning engines.

Key Features:

• Reproduce and analyze vulnerabilities for faster remediation
• Offers an intuitive interface
• Easily integrates with DevSecOps pipelines
• Comes with on-demand security testing without on-premises installation

Limitations:

• May not fully assess modern JavaScript-heavy applications
• Lacks advanced manual testing capabilities
• Can be slower for large or complex applications
• Premium functionalities may require additional licensing fees

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Key Features to Look for While Choosing a DAST Tool

When you are choosing the DAST tool, you have to evaluate several parameters. Because, indirectly, you are investing in a tool that could help you with data breaches, and prevent cyber attacks and reputational damage. Moreover, finding critical vulnerabilities quickly and efficiently is not something that any DAST tool can do.

Therefore, being an experienced and emerging DAST solution provider, we have listed some parameters to help you choose the best and most efficient DAST tool for your business journey.

Complete Automated Scanning

In the world of AI-centric products and solutions, automation takes your security testing one step ahead. When manual testing stops or doesn’t give you an accurate result, automation helps you scan all exposed interfaces continuously and identify all potential vulnerabilities with utmost accuracy. AI-powered application security testing platform provides exhaustive scanning for a comprehensive examination of the security landscape.

Advanced Threat Intelligence

DAST tools can dynamically crawl through the application, which helps you discover content and functionality. Therefore, the robust DAST scanner you choose should have an intelligent crawler that can even crawl complex JavaScript-heavy applications, including Single-Page Applications (SPAs), and all types of APIs. The DAST platform should also handle modern frameworks and authentication mechanisms to ensure complete security coverage.

Real-Time Insights and AI-Driven Reporting

The longer you take time to build a product, the higher your investment cost. Therefore, security teams or developer teams need instant, actionable data to address vulnerabilities quickly as they arise.

A top-tier DAST scanning platform you choose should provide real-time insights, risk prioritization, and AI-driven insights. This enables security teams to accelerate vulnerability resolution processes and minimize manual efforts.

Seamless Integration Capabilities

The value of dynamic application security tools depends on how well they can be integrated into your development workflow without any complexity. While a large number of organizations follow DevOps, having a CI/CD pipeline is natural. A DAST solution should seamlessly integrate with CI/CD workflow. Besides this, a good DAST can seamlessly integrate with any framework or tool you use.

Automated Penetration Testing

With evolving threats, the DAST tool should not only scan the application but also simulate real-world attacks like an ethical hacker to expose weaknesses. There are some security testing tools available in the market, like ZeroThreat, which merges dynamic application security testing with penetration testing to scan web applications and identify potential vulnerabilities, including sensitive data, OWASP Top 10, session hijacking, etc.

This combination provides a comprehensive vulnerability assessment of the application's security by exploring every visible aspect and testing each surface for threats.

Compliance Reporting

Web applications often need to comply with diverse security standards and regulations. Companies that operate in the financial and healthcare sectors have specifically these compliance requirements. A DAST solution that offers automated compliance reporting is a great help that saves time. Pick a DAST tool that automates compliance reporting for standards like OWASP, PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC2, ISO 27001, etc.

Benefits of DAST Tools

DAST scanning tools play a critical role in identifying security vulnerabilities in applications during runtime. Also, they offer numerous benefits to organizations. Let’s go through some of the most important benefits of using DAST tools:

Low False Positives with High Precision

The tool that gives false positives can waste unnecessary investigation and remediation efforts. That’s where DAST tools minimize the occurrence of false positives because they not only scan but validate exposed vulnerabilities. Therefore, the DAST solution is bound to deliver near-zero false positives.

Critical Vulnerability Detection

Session hijacking, sensitive data leak, and model state validation are some of the critical issues that could cause heavy fines and damage. DAST tools are capable of detecting and reporting such issues, along with other business logic flaws, OWASP Top 10 and CWE/SANS Top 25. This empowers your application to be more secure and protected against evolving threats.

Ease of Use

Since dynamic app security testing doesn’t access the source code, it becomes easier for you to use it. Moreover, cloud-based DAST solutions can scale to handle large applications and enterprise-wide security needs without investing in heavy infrastructure.

Real-World Vulnerability Detection

DAST tools simulate real-world attacks like a hacker to expose security gaps and vulnerabilities within the application. This can help you proactively address security risks before they are exploited.

Supports Shift-Left Security

DAST tools can easily be integrated into the CI/CD pipeline, which helps you identify security early in the SDLC process. This way, you can detect vulnerabilities before your product is launched, resulting in reduced costs. This fosters a shift-left approach to security.

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Choose the Right DAST Tool to Simplify Security

Security testing is a critical aspect of building and releasing web applications that can withstand potential cyber-attacks. DAST tools simplify testing with automation and provide more accurate results than SAST because they test applications from outside.

While many tools are available for dynamic application security testing, ZeroThreat stands out from the rest. Also, having mastery in web application vulnerability scan, ZeroThreat performs AI-driven DAST scanning to detect potential web app vulnerabilities. It is user-friendly and can be used without any hectic configuration.

ZeroThreat is designed for speed-first world allowing security teams to quickly discover vulnerabilities and mitigate external risks. High precision in vulnerability detection with near-zero false positives makes it indispensable for security teams and testers.