Checkmarx DAST: How the Scan Works

Checkmarx DAST is a tool that checks web applications and APIs for security issues. What makes Checkmarx DAST special is that it can test websites and services that are already live, which gives you a full picture of your security situation. You can easily add it to your process when you're making your product, and it will alert you to security issues early on.

In this blog, you will learn about Checkmarx DAST, whether it is a SAST or DAST tool, its architecture, scanning with Checkmarx DAST, its limitations, and the alternatives to the same that you can consider.

Let’s get started.

What is Checkmarx DAST?

Checkmarx DAST is a tool that checks your websites and online services for security problems. It's like having a security guard who looks for weak spots that hackers could exploit. This tool is part of a bigger platform called Checkmarx One, which offers more security tools.

It's designed to integrate seamlessly into your CI/CD pipeline, allowing you to automate security testing in development and pre-production environments. Plus, it provides early alerts for vulnerabilities, helping you address issues before deploying to production. Checkmarx DAST also scans live APIs, testing endpoints like REST, SOAP, and gRPC APIs, and offers better visibility into API vulnerabilities.

Is Checkmarx SAST or DAST tool?

Checkmarx offers Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools. These are part of the Checkmarx One platform, which combines SAST and DAST capabilities for comprehensive application security testing.

Checkmarx SAST identifies vulnerabilities in your source code. It supports various programming languages and integrates with development pipelines and coding platforms. It helps you understand risks and suggests effective ways to fix them.

Checkmarx DAST, on the other hand, finds vulnerabilities in your live applications by mimicking real-world attacks. It's versatile, covering many web apps and APIs, and uncovers issues like server misconfigurations and authentication problems in your live applications.

By using both SAST and DAST on the Checkmarx One platform, you get a holistic view of your applications' vulnerabilities and risks. This will help you prioritize fixes and ensure better security throughout the software development process.

Architecture Overview of Checkmarx DAST

Checkmarx DAST, like many dynamic application security testing tools, uses a client-server architecture. This means that it works by having one part of the system send requests (like a client or a user of a website might do) and another part of the system receive and respond to those requests (like a server or the website itself might do).

Checkmarx DAST can fit into your larger system or workflow in various ways. However, you typically integrate it into your CI/CD pipeline. This system takes your code, turns it into a working application or service, and then deploys it to where it can be used. By integrating Checkmarx DAST into this pipeline, you must automatically check for security issues each time your code is changed and deployed.

The tool is designed to uncover security vulnerabilities in live applications and APIs. To do this, it mimics the actions of a hacker or malicious user trying to find and exploit weaknesses. It then generates reports on any vulnerabilities it finds, enabling you to fix them before they can be exploited.

Checkmarx DAST Scanning

To scan using Checkmarx DAST, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:

Step 1: Launch Checkmarx DAST

• Open the Checkmarx DAST application from the Start menu (Windows) or terminal (Linux).

Step 2: Create a New Scan

• Click the “New Scan” button to set up a new scan.

Step 3: Configure Scan Settings

• Target URL: Enter the web application URL you want to scan.

• Authentication: If your application requires authentication, provide the necessary credentials.

• Scan Profile: Choose a profile based on your needs (e.g., Full Scan, Quick Scan).

Step 4: Advanced Settings

• Configure advanced settings such as crawling depth, scan speed, and specific tests to include or exclude.

• You can also set custom rules and policies for the scan.

Step 5: Start Scan

• Once all settings are configured, click the “Start Scan” button.

• The scan process will begin, and you can monitor the progress in the interface.

Step 6: Review Scan Results

• After the scan is complete, review the results in the Checkmarx DAST interface.

• The results will include details of any vulnerabilities found, including their severity, description, and remediation recommendations.

Step 7: Generate Report

• Generate a report of the scan results for further analysis and action.

• You can usually export reports in various formats (e.g., PDF, HTML).

Limitations of Checkmarx DAST

While Checkmarx DAST is a robust tool for Dynamic Application Security Testing, it does have some limitations that users should be aware of:

1. False Positives: Despite its advanced scanning, it sometimes incorrectly flags nonexistent issues, causing wasted time. This can lead to unnecessary resource allocation for issues that do not exist.

2. Coverage Gaps: While it covers a wide range of web apps and APIs, it may miss some vulnerabilities or newer tech. This could potentially leave some aspects of your applications exposed.

3. Complex Setup: Setting up Checkmarx DAST can be tricky, especially for new users or those new to dynamic security testing. This could result in longer setup times and delays in starting actual scans.

4. Integration Hurdles: Some may find it challenging to integrate it smoothly with existing workflows, which affects testing efficiency. These integration problems might disrupt your development process.

5. Struggles with Size: It might not handle large apps or systems well, causing scalability issues. This could limit its effectiveness for larger enterprises with complex systems.

6. Cost Concerns: Using Checkmarx DAST, especially with Checkmarx One, can be pricey, which might be a problem for smaller businesses. This high cost might deter small to medium businesses from using the tool.

Checkmarx DAST Alternatives

There are alternatives to Checkmarx DAST that you can consider, including:

1. Akto

Akto is a proactive API security platform designed to help security and engineering teams secure their APIs. Akto excels in API inventory management, running business logic tests in CI/CD pipelines, and performing comprehensive API security testing.

While Checkmarx DAST primarily focuses on web applications, Akto specializes in API security and enables deployment in both cloud and on-premise environments, offering flexibility for businesses with varying deployment needs.

2. Veracode Application Security Platform

Veracode offers a comprehensive suite of security testing solutions encompassing SAST, DAST, and SCA. Operating as a cloud-based platform, it conducts both dynamic and static code analysis, software composition analysis, and penetration testing.

One limitation of Checkmarx DAST is that it relies on separate tools for static and dynamic testing, which might not integrate as seamlessly as Veracode's unified platform.

3. GitLab

GitLab is a holistic DevOps platform that encompasses functionalities for version control, continuous integration and delivery, and security testing. It offers both static and dynamic application security testing (SAST and DAST) capabilities.

One limitation of Checkmarx DAST is that it separates from development tools, which might result in less streamlined workflows compared to Gitlab's integrated DevOps and security features.

4. HCL AppScan

HCL AppScan comprises a suite of application security testing tools, offering SAST, DAST, and IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing) capabilities. Choosing HCL AppScan over Checkmarx DAST provides an advanced set of features, including IAST, which offers real-time vulnerability detection during application execution, providing a more dynamic and comprehensive security testing approach.

5. Rapid7 AppSpider

Rapid7 AppSpider is designed to thoroughly check web applications and APIs for safety risks. It has strong scanning features that help organizations find and fix potential security issues in their applications and APIs during their creation process.

Choosing Rapid7 AppSpider over Checkmarx DAST provides a tool that focuses on comprehensive and detailed scanning capabilities, making it ideal for organizations that need thorough security assessments.

6. Netsparker

Netsparker, recently acquired by Invicti, boasts automated web application security testing capabilities, making it a robust solution for identifying vulnerabilities in web applications. It utilizes its unique Proof-Based Scanning technology to confirm detected vulnerabilities, reducing the need for manual verification.

When you choose Netsparker over Checkmarx DAST, you get a high level of accuracy in vulnerability detection, minimizing false positives and ensuring that only genuine security issues are highlighted for remediation.

Final Thoughts

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is essential in safeguarding web applications and APIs from evolving threats. Tools like Checkmarx DAST offer valuable capabilities, providing detailed insights into live vulnerabilities and helping developers proactively address security gaps within their continuous integration and deployment workflows.

However, while Checkmarx DAST is robust, it may not always meet the needs of all users, especially those who require more tailored or flexible solutions. This is where Akto can be particularly advantageous. Akto is designed to integrate seamlessly with development pipelines and provides dynamic security testing specifically focused on APIs.

It facilitates comprehensive API security by creating detailed inventories, conducting business logic tests, and offering both cloud and on-premise deployment options. For organizations seeking a modern, API-centric approach to security, Akto Free Trial offers a versatile and effective solution that not only identifies vulnerabilities but also provides actionable insights to address them, ensuring robust protection in a rapidly changing security landscape.