CapSolver Reimagined

Sast Iast Dast

An overview of the three principal application security testing approaches used to identify vulnerabilities at different stages of software development and execution.

Definition

SAST (Static Application Security Testing), IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing), and DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) are complementary methods for finding security weaknesses in software. SAST analyzes source code or compiled artifacts without running the application to uncover coding flaws early in development. DAST probes a live application from the outside, simulating attacks to detect runtime vulnerabilities and configuration issues. IAST blends aspects of both by monitoring an instrumented application during execution to provide context-rich insights into code behavior and vulnerabilities. Together they help teams build more secure applications across the software lifecycle.

Pros

  • SAST finds issues early in the development lifecycle before code runs.
  • DAST reveals vulnerabilities visible only when the application is running.
  • IAST offers deeper context by combining code visibility with runtime behavior.
  • Using all three together improves overall security coverage.
  • Each method targets different classes of vulnerabilities, reducing blind spots.

Cons

  • SAST can produce false positives and may miss runtime issues.
  • DAST requires a running environment and can be slower to execute.
  • IAST depends on instrumentation which can affect performance.
  • No single method covers all vulnerabilities comprehensively.
  • Setting up and configuring these tools can require significant expertise.

Use Cases

  • Integrating SAST into CI/CD pipelines to catch coding errors early.
  • Running DAST against staging environments to find runtime vulnerabilities before release.
  • Deploying IAST agents during QA testing to correlate code paths with security issues.
  • Combining all three methods to satisfy compliance and security auditing requirements.
  • Using interactive testing to reduce false positives and accelerate remediation.