Static Application Security Testing
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a security testing methodology that analyzes source code, bytecode, or binary code for security vulnerabilities without executing the program. It identifies issues like injection flaws, buffer overflows, and insecure data handling by scanning the codebase for patterns that indicate potential weaknesses. SAST tools are typically integrated into the development lifecycle to provide early feedback on security risks.
Developers should use SAST to proactively identify and fix security vulnerabilities during the development phase, reducing the cost and risk of late-stage remediation. It is essential for compliance with security standards (e.g., OWASP, PCI-DSS) and is particularly valuable in DevOps/DevSecOps pipelines for continuous security assessment. Use cases include scanning code in CI/CD workflows, auditing legacy systems, and ensuring secure coding practices in large-scale projects.