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What is Static Application Security Testing (SAST)?

Updated: Sep 18, 2023


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It’s a process that utilizes automated tools to scan the source code of a given software application to detect any potential security vulnerabilities. This method is often used to uncover vulnerable code, which can increase the risk of malicious intrusions into the application. SAST helps identify which areas of the code are insecure and pinpoints specific sections that need further inspection before deployment.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is an effective tool used to detect security flaws and vulnerabilities in source code of software applications. SAST brings the security into the early stages of the development process, allowing potential issues to be identified and corrected quickly and cost-effectively before deployment. By conducting SAST prior to deploying the application, expensive breaches or damage to a company's reputation can be avoided. There are several types of SAST tools available, including:

  • Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a type of code analysis technique that examines the source code of a software application to identify any security vulnerabilities. SAST tools use predefined rules to scan through the source code and search for potentially dangerous issues such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), or insecure file handling.

  • Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a tool used to analyze the source code of a software application and identify security vulnerabilities. It works independently of the running application which allows the analysis to be carried out without any interference or impact to the application's functioning. However, it limited in its capability to detect only certain classes of vulnerabilities. To overcome these limitations, Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) combines these capabilities of SAST with Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools for an expanded view into the security of an application and helps discover more vulnerabilities during runtime.

  • Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a type of software security vulnerability assessment which examines the source code of an application and looks for any known security vulnerabilities in its libraries, components and functions. SAST tools are used to identify potential areas of weakness, helping organizations secure their software applications from malicious attackers.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a method of analyzing source code to identify security vulnerabilities in software applications. SAST is conducted at different stages of the software development life cycle (SDLC), including design, development, and testing. It is essential to integrate SAST into the SDLC process in order to uncover and address any potential security flaws as soon as possible. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a type of security testing that examines the source code of a software application to identify potential security vulnerabilities. It provides organizations with the ability to identify and remove threats from software applications before they become live, saving them time and money in the process. Additionally, SAST can help organizations ensure their compliance with industry regulations and standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA and SOC2.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a method of identifying security vulnerabilities in a given software application by thoroughly reviewing and analyzing the source code. SAST is not a replacement for dynamic application security testing (DAST) or penetration testing (PT), however, as DAST and PT are more effective at detecting risks in running applications rather than analyzing source code.

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is an approach used to detect security vulnerabilities within source code of a software application. SAST solutions are capable of discovering coding errors and visualizing the attack surface for manual or automated remediation. To maximize security and reduce risk, organizations should combine SAST with Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and Penetration Testing (PT).


Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a powerful approach for uncovering security flaws and vulnerabilities in software applications. The source code of the application is carefully examined using SAST tools that are able to spot known, potentially vulnerable code patterns. By implementing SAST, organizations can improve application security and mitigate risks of costly breaches, while adhering to industry regulations and standards.


Software Composition Analysis (SCA) is another type of SAST tool that analyzes the open-source libraries and components used in an application. The goal of SCA is to identify known vulnerabilities and potential security risks in these libraries and components, to ensure that they do not introduce vulnerabilities into the application.


SAST is typically performed at different stages of the software development lifecycle (SDLC), including during the design, development, and testing phases. It is important to integrate SAST into the SDLC to ensure that vulnerabilities are identified and addressed as early as possible. This can be achieved by incorporating SAST into the development process, with regular code reviews and automated scans.

However, it is important to note that SAST is not a replacement for dynamic application security testing (DAST) or penetration testing (PT). DAST and PT are more effective at identifying vulnerabilities in running applications, whereas SAST only analyzes the source code. Organizations should use a combination of SAST, DAST, and PT to ensure that their applications are as secure as possible.

Implementing SAST requires a significant investment in tools and personnel, but the long-term benefits are well worth the cost. Organizations can benefit from reduced risk, compliance with industry regulations, and improved security for their applications.


In conclusion, Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is an effective method for identifying security vulnerabilities in software applications. By analyzing source code, SAST tools can identify known patterns of insecure code or potential vulnerabilities. This can help organizations to prevent costly breaches, comply with industry regulations and standards, and ensure the security of their applications. However, it is important to note that SAST should be used in conjunction with other methods, such as DAST and PT, to ensure comprehensive security testing.

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