Static Application Security Testing (SAST) has emerged as a critical component in ensuring the security of applications. By analyzing source code and binaries before deployment, SAST tools identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. However, to maintain effectiveness in safeguarding against new threats, better scope of improvements to SAST practices are essential. This guide outlines significant enhancements to the static application security testing checklist, aimed at providing robust and up-to-date application security. 

Next, we discuss application security testing.

What is Application Security Testing?

AST involves a systematic evaluation of an application’s security features, aiming to detect potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors. The primary goal is to prevent security flaws from being introduced during the software development process and to identify any issues that may arise during production.

AST can be applied at various stages of the SDLC, allowing for early detection of vulnerabilities. This proactive approach helps mitigate risks before software is deployed, reducing the likelihood of security issues persisting in live environments.

Types of Application Security Testing

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

This white-box testing technique analyzes source code at rest to identify vulnerabilities without executing the program. SAST tools scan code for common security flaws, such as SQL injection and buffer overflows, enabling developers to fix issues early in the development process.

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

DAST is a black-box testing method. It evaluates an application while it is running. It simulates attacks on the application to uncover vulnerabilities in real-time, focusing on how the application behaves under various conditions.

3. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

Combining elements of both SAST and DAST, IAST operates within a running application environment to provide real-time feedback on vulnerabilities as they are detected during execution.

Importance of Continuous Improvements In SAST

In a survey conducted by Crowdstrike, 57% respondents said that they struggle to get full visibility into their applications (and APIs) to gauge what’s at risk.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is an integral part of a comprehensive security strategy. It enables developers to identify potential vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle. As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, SAST provides a proactive approach, allowing teams to address issues before code is deployed. To remain effective, SAST must evolve alongside emerging threats and development practices. Regular updates and improvements ensure testing methodologies adapt to new vulnerabilities, providing comprehensive coverage for modern applications.

Read More: Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Tools and Practices

Next, we discuss the top 12 improvements in the Static Application Security Testing.

Top 12 Improvements - Static Application Security Testing Checklist

Here is the static application security testing checklist of top 10 improvements that should ideally be there and made better with time.

1. Adopting A DevOps Security Approach

A DevSecOps approach incorporates security specialists into the development workflow, ensuring that security testing is integrated at every phase of the software development lifecycle. This involves automating security controls, particularly within the CI/CD pipeline used for application building. The goal of DevSecOps is to embed security into the web application from the very beginning, rather than treating it as an afterthought.

To mitigate risks such as injection attacks, cross-site scripting, and the exposure of sensitive data, DevSecOps emphasizes proactive measures to prevent vulnerabilities from being introduced. A variety of tools can be utilized within DevSecOps processes, including:

1. SAST (Static Application Security Testing) tools,

2. DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) tools,

3. Container Security Tools,

4. Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Security Tools,

5. Vulnerability Management Tools, and

6. Secret Management Tools.

Today, generative AI powered platforms like Seezo.io are providing tailored security solutions to streamline your product’s security design review process. 

2. Refinement of Existing Rules

SAST tools must frequently update their detection rules. It ensures coverage for the latest vulnerabilities identified in the cybersecurity landscape. In addition to adding new rules, enhancing the accuracy of existing ones is also crucial. Fine-tuning these rules helps reduce the chances of missing potential vulnerabilities, providing more reliable testing results.

3. Integration with Modern Development Tools

For effective implementation, SAST tools must integrate seamlessly with popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). The integration allows developers to receive real-time feedback and address vulnerabilities as they code. As the development process becomes more agile, SAST tools should be designed to fit into Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) pipelines. This ensures that security testing becomes a routine part of the development workflow.

4. Enhanced Language Support

The rapid growth of programming languages demands that SAST tools extend their support to include newer and niche languages. This ensures comprehensive scanning across all codebases. Ensuring that scanning covers various frameworks and libraries associated with these languages is vital for thorough vulnerability detection.

5. Reduction of False Positives

To improve the accuracy of results, SAST tools should implement advanced algorithms that can differentiate between genuine vulnerabilities and false positives.

Continually adjusting and customizing rules based on project specifics and historical data helps minimize noise, allowing teams to focus on real security threats.

6. Performance Optimization

Optimizing the performance of SAST tools to improve scan speed is essential. Faster scans provide timely feedback, enabling developers to address vulnerabilities without hindering productivity. Also, introducing incremental scanning allows for analysis of only the changed code, significantly reducing the time required for testing and facilitating a more agile development approach.

7. User-Friendly Configuration

Making the configuration processes more user-friendly can enhance adoption. This includes creating straightforward initial setup steps and ongoing maintenance processes. Templates and presets for common use cases can help standardize configurations, allowing teams to deploy SAST tools quickly and efficiently. The SAST tools should ideally improve their configuration as time progresses.

8. Enhanced Reporting and Visualization

SAST tools should provide detailed reports tailored to different stakeholders, from developers to management. Customizable reports can ensure relevant information is highlighted for each audience. Integrating better visualization tools can enhance understanding and tracking of vulnerabilities, making it easier for teams to prioritize remediation efforts.

9. Integration of Auto-Remediation

Incorporating AI-driven suggestions for code fixes can streamline the remediation process. By automatically identifying potential solutions, teams can address vulnerabilities more efficiently. Automating low-risk fixes allows teams to focus on more complex vulnerabilities, reducing the overall time and effort required for vulnerability management.

What if you could lay your hands on the security design reviews for every new feature, integrated with Jira? Try Seezo.io!

10. Continuous Improvement and Feedback Loop

Establishing feedback mechanisms is crucial for refining SAST tools. User experiences and insights should drive updates, ensuring the tools evolve in line with real-world needs. Regular updates driven by community feedback can enhance the relevance and effectiveness of SAST tools, making them more aligned with user expectations and emerging threats.

11. Compatibility with Compiler & Embedded OS Platform

Compilers used in embedded software development have specific flags for configurations such as optimizing performance, reducing code size, checking for errors, and providing diagnostic information. Since embedded OS platforms generally come with compilers, debugging tools, and various OS files with configuration settings, it is crucial to ensure that the SAST tool can seamlessly integrate into the development environment being used.

12. Flexible Deployment

Different organizations and industries require SAST tools to support a variety of deployment options, including on-premises, cloud-based, and hybrid solutions. For example, air-gapped deployments are essential in highly secure environments where public cloud data protection concerns are not acceptable. On the other hand, cloud-based SAST offers advantages like scalability, elasticity, and reduced infrastructure costs.

Read More: Top 10 Application Security Vulnerabilities and Mitigation

Next, we discuss the tips that can help maintain a credible web application security posture.

Tips To Maintain Web Application Security

Maintaining web application security requires ongoing reviews and improvements to safeguard it against potential threats. Below are some key practices to help secure your web application:

1. Keep Software and Libraries Updated: Regularly updating your web application's software, libraries, and extensions is critical. This ensures that your app remains protected from attackers who constantly exploit newly discovered security vulnerabilities.

2. Adopt Secure Coding Practices: Implementing secure coding techniques helps prevent common vulnerabilities such as injection attacks and cross-site scripting (XSS). This includes validating and sanitizing user input, securely handling sensitive information, and following best practices for error handling and logging.

3. Conduct Regular Vulnerability Testing: Performing security assessments and penetration tests can help uncover potential vulnerabilities in web applications, eventually allowing you to address them before they are exploited.

4. Monitor and Log Application Activity: Continuous monitoring and logging of your web application's activity can help detect possible security threats. These logs also provide valuable data for forensic investigations in case of a breach.

5. Ensure Regular Backups: Implementing a reliable backup system protects your web application's data. Store backups on a separate server, external device, or a cloud-based platform for extra security, ensuring you can access them in the event of an attack on the primary server.

Bonus Tip: Adding security design reviews with Seezo while building your application can be a great way to secure web application security. 

Wrapping Up

Improving Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is essential for keeping applications secure and resilient against evolving cyber threats. Static application security testing checklist elements like adopting a DevSecOps approach, refining detection rules, reducing false positives, and integrating AI-driven auto-remediation tools can significantly boost the effectiveness of SAST. 

Seezo.io can play a vital role in enhancing your SAST efforts by providing tailored security design reviews, automating fixes, and integrating seamlessly with popular development tools like Jira. This holistic approach helps streamline security processes and ensures that vulnerabilities are addressed efficiently, improving your overall threat posture.

Seezo.iobook your first demo