Top 7 Open-Source Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Tools for 2024
Discover open-source DAST tools for your web security
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools are like security guards for web applications. They actively check for vulnerabilities while the application is running, just like how a guard patrols a building to spot any potential threats.
DAST tools allow you to check ready-to-use software for security issues in a proactive way. This supports your transition from DevOps to DevSecOps.
We have explored the top 13 open-source DAST tools that help with things like security testing, cost-effectiveness, performance, checks for compliance, software integration, and constant testing for vulnerabilities.
Why is a DAST Tool Necessary?
Transitioning from DevOps to DevSecOps
DAST tools allow for integrating automated security checks consistently and early in the development process, helping to bridge the gap from DevOps to DevSecOps.
Early Detection
DAST tools aid in identifying vulnerabilities upfront, making mitigation easier, fostering better cooperation between development and security teams.
Proactive Alerts
With the rise in Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs), scanning for potential threats often is key. DAST tools automate this process, providing timely alerts for action.
Securing Code
By simulating real-world cyber-attacks, DAST tools identify threats like SQL injections early on. This prevention-based approach ensures only secure code goes to production, making it a cost-effective solution.
Promoting Shift-Left Security
DAST tools promote secure coding methodology from the start and aid in the organization’s shift-left security orientation.
Handling Large Engineering Environments
For large engineering teams, DAST tools help identify unforeseen vulnerabilities when merging individual codes into a complex application. This improves the overall security and reduces resource wastage.
Choosing the Right DAST Software
Choosing open-source DAST tools requires careful consideration of several features, which may differ in priority for companies and security experts.
Companies value extensive testing, user-friendly dashboards, workflow integrations, intuitive interface, and personalized reports in an open-source DAST.
Meanwhile, security analysts prioritize customization, deep analysis, and comprehensive reporting from open-source DAST solutions.
Here are several crucial aspects for selecting the ideal open-source DAST software for your web application:
Comprehensive Scanning Features
Commercial entities need an open-source DAST tool that accurately tests for top vulnerabilities like OWASP Top 10 and SANS 25 with fewer false positives.
Security engineers, on the other hand, should prioritize tools that automate tasks, support regression scanning, and proficiently scan specific assets with advanced dynamic features.
Customizable Reporting Solutions
Commercial entities should choose open-source DAST tools offering personalized executive-level and engineering reports, while security researchers need detailed reports on vulnerabilities and fixes.
Accessible Dashboards
Businesses require user-friendly real-time scanning dashboards from open-source DAST software, and developers benefit from extensive vulnerability databases and upgraded filter options.
Seamless Workflow Integrations
Businesses need open-source DAST tools integrating with workflow applications and CI/CD tools, and developers value quality CI/CD integration with unique DAST features.
Industry Experience and Reputation
Companies should opt for open-source DAST scanners with a proven track record of detecting vulnerabilities in their industry-specific applications. Independently accrued reviews on sites like G2 and Capterra are valuable resources to verify such credentials.
Developers should keep an eye on the reputation of the open-source DAST tools in the cybersecurity industry for their event-triggered, continuous, and ad-hoc scans for specific assessments.
Top 7 Open-Source DAST Tools
1. StackHawk
StackHawk is an open-source DAST tool designed to automate security testing in CI/CD pipelines, focusing on detecting bugs early in development.
It offers a free unlimited DAST scan for one application, with advanced features available for paid customers.
Features
- Platform: Online
- Integration: Slack, Snyk, GitHub, AWS, Atlassian, Microsoft
- Accuracy: Possibility of false positives
- Behind Login Scanning: Yes
- Compliance Scan: soc2
- Price: $59/per contributor/month (open source available)
Benefits
- Simple integration with CI/CD tools
- Excellent support team
Drawbacks
- Occasional false positives
- Scanning process could be time-consuming
2. ZAP (Best Open-Source DAST Tool)
ZAP is an open-source DAST tool driven by the community. It functions as a MiTM proxy, providing control to intercept and modify traffic to identify vulnerabilities. It supports session manipulation, fuzzing parameters, brute force attacks, and integration with CI/CD tools.
Features
- Targets: Web Applications
- Pentest Capabilities: Automated and manual dynamic scanning
- Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code, pre-built packages, Docker
- Accuracy: Possible false positives
- Price: Open-source tool
Benefits
- User-friendly experience
- Advanced security testing capabilities
Drawback
- Limited direct support options
3. Kali Linux
Kali Linux, while being a VAPT OS itself, serves as a powerful platform for DAST tasks. It offers a comprehensive toolkit of 600+ security tools to developers and security researchers, encompassing tools like ZAP, W3af, Nikto, and Ettercap.
Beyond its pre-installed, Kali provides extensive resources for customization. This includes documentation, tutorials, and community support to facilitate the learning process and answer troubleshooting needs.
Features
Target: Online and physical systems, web applications, and networks
Pentest Capabilities: Unlimited scans for vulnerability scanning, exploitation, privilege escalation, and post-exploitation
Deployment Capabilities: Installer packages for live boot and disk installation
Accuracy: False positives are possible
Price: Open-source OS
Benefits
- Offers advanced capabilities for in-depth application testing
- Receives consistent security updates and enhancements
Drawbacks
- The initial learning process can be challenging
- Additional scripting may be required for CI/CD integrations
4. W3af DAST
The Web Application Attack and Audit Framework (W3af) is an open-source DAST tool that assists in identifying CVEs in web applications and evaluating their severity and impact.
W3af integrates effortlessly into your DevSecOps pipeline, leveraging multi-platform support to customize manual exploits for advanced testing needs.
Features
- Target: Web Applications
- Pentest Capabilities: Vulnerability scanning, threat exploitation, and attack simulation
- Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and pre-built packages
- Accuracy: False positives are possible
- Price: Open-source tool
Benefits
- Reduces manual effort through automation
- Scans authenticated sessions for in-depth testing
Drawback
- The interface can be challenging to navigate.
5. Nikto
Nikto is a robust open-source DAST tool that uses its comprehensive database of over 6,700 vulnerabilities to scan web applications. This is used to detect outdated software and setting misconfigurations.
By analyzing dynamic responses, Nikto can identify various issues such as open directories, insecure file permissions, and weak HTTP headers. Furthermore, with plugin support, users can tailor the tool to focus on specific vulnerabilities.
Features
- Target: Web applications and servers
- Pentest Capabilities: Vulnerability and misconfiguration identification
- Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code
- Accuracy: False positives are possible
- Price: Open-source tool
Benefits
- Has a simple and intuitive interface
- It is a free and open-source tool
Drawback
- To ensure accuracy, it may be necessary to manually validate results.
6. Ettercap
Although Ettercap may not be a conventional dynamic application security testing tool, it can be used for related security analysis tasks. This tool allows analysts to simulate real-world attacks, like Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) and session hijacking, to reveal vulnerabilities in web applications.
Ettercap’s scripting and plugin support enables you to automate tasks during these simulations and customize the testing process to fit specific application environments.
Features
- Target: Network infrastructure and web applications
- Pentest Capabilities: Passive network sniffing, active attacks, and network analysis
- Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and-built packages
- Accuracy: False positives are possible
- Price: Open-source tool
Benefit
- Collabor community facilitates innovative plugins
Drawbacks
- Compatible with Windows10
- The interface could be more intuitive and clearer.
7. Vega
Vega is a free and open-source DAST tool that acts as an intercepting proxy. It allows for extensive traffic analysis, and its web crawler scans the application for any vulnerabilities, including SSL/TLS configurations.
In addition, Vega supports several JavaScript extensions that help customize the scans according to your needs, thus enhancing its adaptability.
Features
- Target: Web applications.
- Pentest Capabilities: Website crawling and automated dynamic scanning.
- Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and pre-built packages with JRE.
- Accuracy: False positives are possible.
- Price: Open-source tool.
Benefits
- Offers multiple testing modes.
- Allows creating custom attack modules to target specific vulnerabilities.
Drawback
- Can crawl and analyze a limited number of elements.
Closing Thoughts
In the evolving sphere of web application security, open-source DAST tools have emerged as critical components. They actively detect vulnerabilities, bridging the gap between DevOps and DevSecOps.
These tools showcase a myriad of features tailored to meet varied demands such as continuous vulnerability detection, cost-effectiveness, and code security. Selecting the right tool needs careful analysis of its scanning capabilities, reporting solutions, dashboard accessibility, and industry reputation.
Stepping forward, the significance of open-source DAST tools will only grow, underpinning their key role in a world increasingly reliant on secure web applications.
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