Static Application Security Testing: The Only Explainer You Need

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) plays a big role in identifying potential vulnerabilities in the source code of applications before they are deployed. In this blog, we explore the fundamentals of static application security testing, including its benefits, challenges, and how it integrates with continuous development workflows. We also discuss Intelligent Finding Analytics (IFA), which enhances the accuracy of SAST by reducing false positives and streamlining the identification of critical vulnerabilities.

Additionally, we provide detailed guidelines for remediation to help developers understand how to efficiently interpret SAST reports, prioritize issues, and implement necessary fixes. Whether you're new to static application security testing or looking to optimize your security processes, this guide offers valuable insights for creating a more secure application development environment.

Next, we discuss what SAST is.

What is Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a proactive method used to detect potential vulnerabilities in source code before it becomes part of a live application. As a form of non-functional static testing, SAST allows you to analyze source or binary code for security flaws without needing the code to run.

SAST tools provide developers with real-time feedback during coding, helping them address issues early in the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) before passing the code to the next stage. This ensures that security concerns are addressed upfront. Many SAST tools also offer visual representations of identified vulnerabilities, tracing the issue from source to sink, which simplifies the process of reviewing code. Some tools highlight the exact location of the vulnerability and risky code segments, providing detailed guidance on how and where to fix these issues without requiring extensive security expertise.

Developers can also generate custom reports with SAST tools, which can be exported and tracked through dashboards. Keeping track of security issues in an organized manner helps developers resolve problems quickly, contributing to smoother application releases and a more secure SDLC.

SAST tools are designed to identify a wide range of security vulnerabilities in application source code, bytecode, and binaries. Some of the most common issues detected by SAST are input validation issues, insecure data handling/configuration, improper error handling, etc.

Next, we discuss the importance of SAST as a security activity.

Relevance of SAST As A Security Activity

SAST tools provide developers with real-time feedback during coding, allowing them to address vulnerabilities before the code moves to the next phase of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). This ensures that security concerns are addressed early, rather than as an afterthought. These tools often offer visual representations of detected issues, helping developers trace the path from the source of the problem to its impact. Some SAST tools can pinpoint the exact location of vulnerabilities and highlight risky code segments, offering detailed guidance on how and where to apply fixes, without requiring extensive security knowledge.

In addition, SAST tools enable developers to generate customized reports, which can be exported for offline analysis and tracked through dashboards. By organizing and tracking security issues systematically, developers can promptly resolve them, leading to a smoother, more secure release process. This contributes to building a secure SDLC.

SAST also aids in compliance with industry standards like PCI DSS. Since SAST scans the entire codebase, security teams don’t need to select specific areas for scanning. Moreover, the tools are easy to automate, allowing scans to be integrated at various stages of the SDLC.

Next, we discuss how SAST works.

How Does SAST Work?

SAST (Static Application Security Testing) analyzes an application’s source code, bytecode, or binary code to detect security vulnerabilities. It can identify a range of issues - Buffer overflows, SQL injections, and cross-site scripting (XSS). By flagging these vulnerabilities early in the SDLC, SAST enables developers to address and fix security weaknesses before deployment, strengthening the application's overall security.

SAST scans the application's code, searching for coding patterns that may introduce vulnerabilities. It evaluates the code against a set of predefined secure coding rules. When a potential issue is found, it highlights the specific section of the code for developers to review and fix.

The typical SAST process includes the following steps:

Code Parsing: The SAST tool parses the source, byte, or binary code to generate an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST), representing the structure and key components of the code, including functions, loops, and variables.
Control and Data Flow Analysis: The tool performs both control and data flow analysis to understand how the code executes and how data moves through the system. This helps identify vulnerabilities like SQL injection or XSS.
Security Rules and Policies: SAST tools use predefined security rules based on industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten or CWE/SANS Top 25 to evaluate the code for vulnerabilities.
Pattern Matching and Semantic Analysis: The tool applies pattern matching and semantic analysis to detect insecure coding practices, such as weak encryption or hard-coded credentials, helping identify potential security risks.

Next, we discuss what is a SAST cycle.

What Is A SAST Cycle?

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) operates as a continuous, cyclical process, especially when integrated into the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) via Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD). Incorporating SAST in development enables DevOps teams to proactively detect and resolve security vulnerabilities throughout the build process.

The SAST cycle typically involves the following components:

Code Development: Developers write and commit source code while adding new features or fixing bugs in the application.
Integration with CI/CD: Once code is committed to a version control system (e.g., Git), the CI/CD pipeline is activated, automating the build, testing, and deployment processes.
SAST Execution: As part of the pipeline, SAST tools scan the source, byte, or binary code according to predefined security rules and policies, looking for potential vulnerabilities.
Vulnerability Reporting: The tool generates a detailed report outlining identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and suggested remediation steps.
Remediation: Developers review the report, address the vulnerabilities, and update the code to resolve the issues.
Retesting: The updated code is committed again, triggering the CI/CD pipeline, and the SAST analysis, reporting, and remediation cycle repeats.

Next, we discuss the essential steps to run SAST efficiently.

Key Steps for Running SAST At Its Best

To run Static Application Security Testing (SAST) efficiently, especially in organizations with numerous applications built using various languages and platforms, follow these six essential steps:

Select the Right Tool: Choose a static analysis tool that accommodates various programming languages and frameworks your applications use. The tool should also be able to understand the software’s underlying architecture.
Set Up Scanning Infrastructure and Deploy the Tool: Ensure all licensing requirements are met and establish access control. Set up the necessary resources, such as servers and databases, to deploy the tool effectively.
Customize the Tool: Adjust the tool’s settings to match the organization’s specific needs. This may include minimizing false positives, creating new security rules, and integrating the tool with your build environment. Create dashboards and custom reports for better tracking and monitoring.
Onboard and Prioritize Applications: Begin by onboarding your high-risk applications for scanning. Over time, ensure all applications are regularly scanned in alignment with release cycles, daily or monthly builds, or code check-ins.
Analyze Scan Results: Review and triage scan results to eliminate false positives. Once validated, the identified issues should be tracked and passed on to the appropriate teams for timely remediation.
Implement Governance and Training: Establish proper governance to ensure the scanning tools are used correctly. Incorporate SAST into the SDLC, ensuring it is a key part of your development and deployment processes. Provide training to development teams on best practices for using the tools.

Following these steps ensures the effective integration of SAST into your security practices.

What are the various SAST tools that you should be aware of? We will discuss it next.

SAST Tools

There are both manual and automated approaches to Static Application Security Testing (SAST). Manual SAST involves security experts conducting code reviews to identify vulnerabilities, while automated SAST utilizes tools to scan code and generate reports on detected issues.

Several SAST tools are available, each with unique advantages. Here are some popular options:

SonarQube: An open-source platform widely used for continuous code quality inspection across multiple programming languages. It includes SAST capabilities, code quality metrics, and integrates well with CI/CD tools.
Checkmarx: A comprehensive SAST solution supporting numerous languages and frameworks. It excels in deep code analysis and accurate vulnerability detection, while integrating smoothly with DevOps environments.
Fortify: Part of the Micro Focus suite, Fortify offers both cloud-based and on-premises SAST solutions. It provides extensive language support, detailed vulnerability detection, remediation guidance, and CI/CD integration.
Veracode: A cloud-based SAST tool that supports multiple programming languages, offering accurate vulnerability identification, remediation recommendations, and seamless integration with development and CI/CD tools.
Coverity: Developed by Synopsys, this tool supports a wide array of languages, providing robust vulnerability detection and integration with popular development tools.
Klocwork: Supporting C, C++, C# and Java, Klocwork offers thorough code analysis, vulnerability detection, and compliance checks, with integration into various development environments.
CodeScan: Specifically designed for Salesforce development, CodeScan provides detailed analysis, vulnerability detection, and compliance checks for Apex, Visualforce, and Lightning code, with CI/CD tool integration.

Seezo is a tool designed to deliver automated security design assessments, offering developers customized security guidelines from the start. By embedding security into the software development process from the very beginning, Seezo ensures developers are already aware of security requirements before they even begin coding. While Seezo is not a SAST tool, it complements them perfectly—helping developers make the most of their SAST results by addressing security considerations upfront.

What are the pros and cons of SAST? We will discuss it next.

Pros and Cons of SAST

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) identifies security vulnerabilities early in the development process, significantly contributing to a more secure software lifecycle. However, like any tool, it comes with its own set of advantages and limitations, which need to be carefully considered to maximize its effectiveness.

Pros of SAST

Listed below are the key advantages of using SAST:

Early Detection of Security Issues
SAST identifies vulnerabilities in the source code early in the development process, helping prevent security issues from reaching production.
No Need for Code Execution
SAST tools analyze source code without needing a running application, making it usable at any development stage.
CI/CD Integration
SAST can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines, automating security checks and ensuring code is scrutinized before deployment.
Reduces Post-Deployment Fixes
By catching vulnerabilities early, SAST minimizes the need for rushed fixes and reduces potential resource losses after deployment.
Supports Shift-Left Security
SAST enables the shift-left approach, embedding security checks early in the SDLC, enhancing overall software security.

Cons of SAST

Listed below are the key challenges of using SAST:

False Positives
SAST tools can generate numerous false positives, leading to confusion and unnecessary fixes for non-exploitable issues.
Limited Language Coverage
SAST may not support all programming languages or frameworks, often requiring multiple tools for different environments.
Dependence on Known Libraries
SAST tools might miss vulnerabilities in rare or custom-built libraries due to unfamiliarity with specific code patterns.
Lack of Business Logic Detection
SAST tools struggle to detect business logic vulnerabilities, like broken access controls, as they can’t be easily identified in the code alone. However, performing Security Design Reviews (SDR) with Seezo addresses this gap effectively by ensuring a stronger, more secure foundation for your application even before coding begins.
Absence of Production Context
Some issues only appear in a live environment, which SAST tools might miss without real-time system interactions.

Next, we discuss IFA and its role in SAST.

Intelligent Finding Analytics (IFA)

Intelligent Finding Analytics (IFA) offers a groundbreaking approach to interpreting the results from SAST tools, enabling you to create a more efficient action plan for addressing security issues. IFA highlights the most actionable findings from a SAST assessment, focusing on both genuine vulnerabilities and those with a higher likelihood of exploitation. It achieves an accuracy rate of 95-98% in determining whether a finding is actionable.

By applying IFA to SAST analysis, it's common to see a reduction of 98-99% in the number of findings, significantly decreasing the workload required to both identify and resolve security issues. This process typically condenses a report containing tens of thousands of findings into just a few hundred for manual review, streamlining the entire security assessment process.

How Machine Learning Plays a Big Role?

Machine learning has had its most significant impact on information security through supervised learning. This type of machine learning focuses on classifying labeled data, where samples are gathered from known vulnerabilities and vulnerable applications. These samples are used to train algorithms to analyze reports generated by automated tools.

AI-powered tools like IFA help reduce false positives by comparing findings with a trained dataset. This method has significantly improved the accuracy of identifying security flaws using deep learning, lowering false positive rates to manageable levels. As a result, security analysts have more time to conduct thorough security evaluations and address vulnerabilities at multiple layers, including through detailed assessments and social engineering tactics.

Next, we discuss the guidelines to implement SAST.

Guidelines for Implementing SAST

Implementing Static Application Security Testing effectively requires careful preparation, testing, and integration into existing workflows. Here are guidelines to help you implement SAST successfully:

1. Preparation: Creating Analysis Files

Before running SAST, it’s essential to prepare your analysis files properly. This involves ensuring that the source code is organized and accessible for the SAST tool.

Organize Codebase: Ensure that your codebase is well-structured and free from unnecessary files that could confuse the analysis.
Select the Right Tool: Choose a SAST tool that supports the programming languages and frameworks used in your application.
Configure Environment: Set up the necessary environment variables and configurations required by the SAST tool to perform scans accurately.

2. Testing: Uploading Files and Generating Reports

Once the preparation is complete, the next step involves running the SAST tool on your codebase.

Upload Files: Use the SAST tool to upload your source code files. Depending on the tool, this can often be done through a user interface or command-line interface.
Run Analysis: Initiate the scanning process. The tool will analyze the code for vulnerabilities without executing it.
Generate Reports: After the analysis is complete, generate reports that detail any identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and locations within the code.

3. Fixing: Interpreting Reports and Applying Fixes

Interpreting the results from SAST reports is critical for effective remediation.

Review Findings: Carefully examine the vulnerabilities reported by the SAST tool, focusing on their severity and impact on your application.
Prioritize Issues: Prioritize vulnerabilities based on their potential risk to your application. High-severity issues should be addressed first.
Apply Fixes: Work with developers to apply necessary fixes to the identified vulnerabilities. Ensure that changes are tested thoroughly before redeployment.

4. Integration with CI/CD Tools

Integrating SAST into Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines enhances security throughout the development lifecycle.

Automate Scanning: Set up automated scans that execute with each code. It ensures that vulnerabilities are detected early.
Use CI/CD Templates: Many CI/CD platforms offer templates for integrating SAST tools easily. Utilize these templates to streamline integration.
Monitor Results: Monitor scan results and ensure developers receive timely feedback on vulnerabilities.

Next, we discuss the best standard SAST practices.

Best Standard SAST Practices

Effective remediation of identified vulnerabilities is essential for maintaining a secure application. Here are some best practices:

1. Tracing Vulnerability Paths

Understanding how cyberattacks exploit vulnerabilities is crucial for effective remediation.

Analyze Data Flow: Trace how data moves through your application to identify how inputs can lead to vulnerabilities.
Identify Entry Points: Determine where untrusted data enters your application and assess how it is processed.

2. Grouping Related Issues

Grouping related vulnerabilities can simplify remediation efforts.

Categorize Vulnerabilities: Organize issues by type or affected component, making it easier to address similar problems collectively.
Create Remediation Plans: Develop plans that target groups of related vulnerabilities, allowing developers to implement fixes more efficiently.

3. Common Fix Suggestions

Providing developers with common fix suggestions can expedite remediation.

Document Solutions: Maintain a repository of common fixes for known vulnerabilities, such as SQL injection or XSS.
Provide Code Examples: Include code snippets demonstrating how to implement fixes effectively, aiding developers in understanding best practices.

4. Continuous Security Monitoring

Security should be an ongoing effort rather than a one-time task.

Regular Scanning: Schedule regular scans of your codebase to identify new vulnerabilities as they arise.
Update Tools Regularly: Ensure that your SAST tools are kept up-to-date with the latest vulnerability definitions and scanning capabilities.
Promote Security Culture: Foster a culture of security awareness among developers, encouraging them to prioritize security in their coding practices.

Conclusion

SAST is essential in today's application security (AppSec) strategies, allowing you to identify vulnerabilities at an early stage when addressing them is easier and more cost-effective. In the ongoing fight against cyber threats, SAST serves as a proactive defense, fortifying your application’s security measures.

However, it is essential to remember that Static Application Security Testing is no silver bullet. To enhance your security posture, you must opt for a layered strategy which includes SAST with other techniques. For example, automated security design reviews can bolster application security from the start. Platforms like Seezo.io ensure that developers receive customized security guidelines before they code. It helps to incorporate much-needed security measures into the software development process from the very beginning.

Looking to build security into your software’s foundation? Start using automated security design reviews with Seezo.io to ensure protection right from the first line of code. Request a demo now!