What kind of security issues can Static Application Security Testing (SAST) identify?

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a method used to analyze the source code or binaries of an application without executing it. This approach enables the identification of various vulnerabilities early in the development process, allowing developers to address potential security issues before deployment.

The identification of cross-site scripting (XSS) and buffer overflows is particularly pertinent to SAST as it specifically analyzes code for vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers. Cross-site scripting attacks occur when an application inadvertently includes untrusted data in a webpage, leading to potential data theft or session hijacking. Buffer overflows happen when data exceeds the allocated buffer space, which can lead to arbitrary code execution.

By focusing on the internal logic and structure of the code, SAST tools can pinpoint these vulnerabilities effectively, empowering developers to implement necessary security measures before the application goes live. This proactive approach strengthens the overall security posture of software applications, making it less likely for known vulnerabilities to be exploited in the wild.

The other options, while related to security concerns, do not align with SAST’s capabilities. Physical security breaches pertain to actual physical access control measures, network configuration errors involve settings and protocols at the network layer, and human error in coding practices, while relevant, does not represent specific vulnerabilities that