What Is SAST (Static Application Security Testing)?
SAST is a type of application security testing that checks an application’s source code (the original code written by developers), dependencies (external libraries or packages the code relies on), or binaries (compiled code ready to run) before it runs. This approach is often called white-box testing because it examines the internal logic and structure of the code for vulnerabilities and flaws, rather than testing just the application’s behavior from the outside.
Why SAST Matters in Cybersecurity
Securing code is a key part of DevSecOps. SAST helps organizations find vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), weak encryption, and other security issues early in the Software Development Lifecycle. This means teams can fix problems faster and at a lower cost.
How SAST Works
- Analyze source code, binaries, or bytecode without executing them.
- Identifies vulnerabilities in coding practice (eg, missing validation, exposed API key)
- Integrate into the developer workflow (CI/CD)
- Generate a report on vulnerabilities that were found and provide guidance on how to solve them (remediation)
SAST vs. DAST vs. SCA
Understanding where SAST fits in the ecosystem is vital for a complete security strategy.
| Feature | SAST (Static) | DAST (Dynamic) | SCA (Software Composition) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis Target | Source Code / Binaries | Running Application | Open Source Libraries |
| Visibility | White Box (Internal) | Black Box (External) | Dependency Manifests |
| Timing | Coding / Build Phase | Testing / Production | Build / CI Phase |
| Primary Catch | Coding errors, Logic flaws | Runtime errors, Auth issues | Known CVEs in libraries |
Note: Find a comprehensive comparison between SAST vs DAST here
A comprehensive security posture requires visibility into both your custom code and your open-source dependencies. While standalone SCA tools exist, modern platforms often unify these capabilities.
The Plexicus Free SAST tool exemplifies this unified approach, scanning for both code vulnerabilities (SAST) and secrets, ensuring a holistic view of application risk.
The Shift Left Advantage
SAST is the foundation of the “Shift Left” methodology, where it approaches moving security testing to the earliest possible stage of development.
Benefits of implementing the shift left approach :
- Cost Reduction: Fixing a bug or security issue in the coding phase is cheaper than fixing it in production
- Developer Feedback: SAST provides immediate feedback and trains developers on secure coding practices
- Compliance: Regular static analysis is often a requirement for regulatory standards like PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOC 2.
How to Implement SAST
Implementing SAST has historically required complex server setups, expensive licensing, and significant configuration. However, the rise of cloud-native scanners has democratized access.
For individual developers and small teams, cost can be a barrier. To address this, developers can now perform immediate security checks using Plexicus Free SAST tool. This tool connects directly to GitHub to identify vulnerabilities in code and infrastructure without any configuration overhead, allowing teams to secure their work at zero cost.
Common Vulnerabilities found by SAST
- SQL Injection
- Cross-site scripting (XSS)
- Use of Insecure cryptographic algorithms (e.g., MD5, SHA-1)
- Exposed API key credentials in the hardcoded
- Buffer overflow
- Validation error
Benefits of SAST
- Cheaper cost : fixing vulnerability issues early is less expensive than post-deployment
- Early detection: finds security issues during development.
- Compliance support : align with standards like OWASP, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001.
- Shift-left security : integrate security into the development workflow from the beginning
- Developer-friendly: Provide the developer with actionable steps to fix security issues.
Example
During a SAST test, the tool finds security issues where developers use insecure MD5 to hash passwords. The SAST tool flags it as a vulnerability and suggests replacing MD5 with bcrypt or Argon2, which are stronger algorithms compared to MD5.
How to Implement SAST
Implementing SAST has historically required complex server setups, expensive licensing, and significant configuration. However, the rise of cloud-native scanners has democratized access.
For individual developers and small teams, cost can be a barrier. To address this, developers can now perform immediate security checks using the Plexicus SAST tool. This tool connects directly to GitHub to identify vulnerabilities in code and infrastructure without any configuration overhead, allowing teams to secure their work at zero cost.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Plexicus Free SAST Tool truly free?
Yes. The core vulnerability scanner is 100% free forever. You can scan your public or private GitHub repositories to detect security flaws without entering a credit card. Advanced features like automated AI remediation are also available with limited usage.
Do you store my source code?
No. We utilize an ephemeral scanning architecture. When you initiate a scan, your code is analyzed in a temporary, isolated environment. Once the report is generated, the environment is destroyed, and your code is permanently deleted from our systems.
Do you use my code to train AI models?
Absolutely not. We explicitly guarantee that your source code is never used to train, fine-tune, or improve any Artificial Intelligence models. Unlike some free tools that harvest data, Plexicus respects the confidentiality of your codebase.
What languages are supported?
The tool supports a wide range of languages, including Python, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, C/C++, C#, Go, Ruby, Swift, Kotlin, Rust, and PHP. It also scans Infrastructure as Code (IaC) files like Terraform, Kubernetes, and Dockerfiles.
How does this differ from open-source tools like SonarQube?
Open-source tools often require you to provision your own servers and manage complex rule sets. The Plexicus SAST tool offers a “Zero Config” experience, handling over 20 languages instantly without infrastructure maintenance.