Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Learn and Test Your Skills

Question 1

Which of the following is a disadvantage of using Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Accepted Answer

Requirement for access to the application's source code

Answer

Increased testing coverage

Answer

Identification of vulnerabilities within the runtime environment

Answer

Rapid and automated testing process

Question 2

Identify a widely used DAST tool.

Accepted Answer

Burp Suite

Answer

Nmap

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Nessus

Question 3

During which phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is DAST typically employed?

Accepted Answer

Testing

Answer

Deployment

Answer

Design

Answer

Requirements gathering

Question 4

What is considered a recommended practice when using DAST?

Accepted Answer

Combine it with other security testing techniques.

Answer

Disregard any false positives it identifies.

Answer

Run it directly on a live production environment.

Question 5

How does DAST differ from Static Application Security Testing (SAST)?

Accepted Answer

DAST tests the application while it's running while SAST tests the application's source code.

Answer

SAST is more automated than DAST.

Answer

DAST provides more accurate results than SAST.

Question 6

What are potential consequences of undiscovered vulnerabilities in web applications?

Accepted Answer

Data breaches, financial losses, and damage to reputation

Answer

Reduced customer satisfaction

Answer

Increased employee turnover

Question 7

Identify the primary benefit of utilizing Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Accepted Answer

Uncovers exploitable vulnerabilities within a running application.

Answer

Prevents SQL injection attacks.

Answer

Augments code efficiency.

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a type of DAST tool?

Accepted Answer

Static code analyzer, which analyzes code without executing it.

Answer

Fuzzing tool, which generates malformed or random input to find vulnerabilities.

Answer

Interactive application security testing tool, which allows testers to interact with the application while testing.

Answer

Web vulnerability scanner, which scans web applications for vulnerabilities.

Question 9

During which phase of the development lifecycle is DAST typically performed?

Accepted Answer

Testing phase, after the application has been developed and is ready for testing.

Answer

Design phase, before any code has been written.

Answer

Deployment phase, after the application has been released to users.

Question 10

Which best practice should be followed when using DAST?

Accepted Answer

Test against a wide range of attack vectors to increase vulnerability detection.

Answer

Only test against high-risk vulnerabilities, ignoring low-risk ones.

Answer

Disregard any vulnerabilities classified as low severity.

Answer

Perform DAST only once during the development process.

Question 11

What is the overriding goal of DAST?

Accepted Answer

To identify vulnerabilities in a running application that can be exploited by attackers.

Answer

To improve the overall quality and maintainability of the application code.

Answer

To ensure compliance with industry security regulations and standards.

Question 12

Identify a potential challenge faced when using DAST in cloud computing environments?

Accepted Answer

Dynamic IP addresses of cloud servers, making it difficult to maintain consistent connections for testing.

Answer

High cost associated with DAST tools and services.

Answer

Lack of access to application source code, limiting the scope of testing.

Question 13

What is a key advantage of using DAST in agile development?

Accepted Answer

Early detection of vulnerabilities during the development process, allowing for prompt remediation.

Answer

Elimination of the need for penetration testing, reducing overall testing costs.

Answer

Reduced need for code reviews, freeing up development resources.

Answer

Improved documentation of security measures, enhancing compliance and auditability.

Question 14

Which advantage of Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is specifically related to its ability to analyze the running application environment?

Accepted Answer

It can identify vulnerabilities in the application's runtime environment.

Answer

It provides a comprehensive view of all potential vulnerabilities.

Answer

It is highly accurate and reliable.

Question 15

What is the primary goal of DAST in the context of application security?

Accepted Answer

To uncover vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

Answer

To verify the correctness of the application's code.

Answer

To test the performance and stability of the application.

Question 16

Which technique is commonly employed by DAST tools to assess the security of applications?

Accepted Answer

HTTP fuzzing

Answer

Source code review

Answer

Static code analysis

Answer

Penetration testing

Question 17

Which DAST tool is widely recognized and commonly used by security professionals?

Accepted Answer

Burp Suite

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Cobalt Strike

Question 18

Describe the fundamental difference between DAST and SAST in terms of their approaches to application testing.

Accepted Answer

DAST tests running applications, while SAST analyzes source code.

Answer

DAST is more accurate than SAST.

Answer

SAST is more expensive than DAST.

Question 19

Explain the significance of DAST in the context of the software development lifecycle.

Accepted Answer

It helps identify vulnerabilities that could lead to security breaches.

Answer

It improves the overall quality of the software.

Answer

It reduces the time required for testing.

Question 20

Which of the following is the primary advantage of utilizing Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Accepted Answer

Detecting vulnerabilities in the application's runtime environment.

Answer

Offering higher accuracy than other application security testing methods.

Answer

Executing with greater speed than other application security testing methods.

Question 21

What is the main purpose of DAST?

Accepted Answer

Identifying vulnerabilities in an operating application.

Answer

Preventing exploitation of vulnerabilities.

Answer

Remedying vulnerabilities in an operating application.

Question 22

Explain the fundamental difference between DAST and SAST.

Accepted Answer

DAST evaluates a running application, while SAST analyzes the source code.

Answer

DAST offers higher accuracy than SAST.

Answer

SAST is faster than DAST.

Question 23

What benefit arises from combining DAST with other application security testing tools?

Accepted Answer

A more comprehensive assessment of an application's security posture.

Answer

Enhanced accuracy of the application security testing process.

Answer

Reduced costs associated with application security testing.

Question 24

What is the primary function of a DAST scanner?

Accepted Answer

Scanning an operating application for vulnerabilities.

Answer

Remediating vulnerabilities in an operating application.

Answer

Conducting penetration testing.

Answer

Analyzing source code for vulnerabilities.

Question 25

Which practice is considered a best approach when utilizing DAST?

Accepted Answer

Testing applications across multiple environments.

Answer

Disregarding false positives.

Answer

Reliance on a single DAST tool for all testing.

Answer

Infrequent scanning of applications.

Question 26

Provide an example of a frequently used tool for DAST.

Accepted Answer

Burp Suite.

Answer

Nessus.

Answer

Metasploit.

Answer

Wireshark.

Question 27

Which of the following is the primary mechanism used to perform Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Accepted Answer

Scanning running application in real-time

Answer

Static analysis of code

Answer

Vulnerability management

Answer

Penetration testing

Question 28

What is a key advantage of DAST over other application security testing methods?

Accepted Answer

Tests applications in real-time during execution, allowing for detection of vulnerabilities that may be missed by static analysis

Answer

Can detect a wider range of vulnerabilities

Answer

Provides more accurate results

Answer

Requires less expertise to perform

Question 29

Which of the following is a commonly used open-source tool for DAST?

Accepted Answer

Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)

Answer

Metasploit

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Nmap

Question 30

When configuring a DAST scan, which of the following considerations is critical?

Accepted Answer

Target application's runtime environment, as DAST tools heavily rely on the specific environment in which the application is running

Answer

User's skill level

Answer

Type of web application

Answer

Organization's security policy

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of DAST?

Accepted Answer

Can identify all types of vulnerabilities

Answer

Can be resource-intensive, requiring significant computing power and time

Answer

May generate false positives, leading to unnecessary investigation and remediation efforts

Answer

May not detect vulnerabilities in inactive code, as DAST relies on executing the application

Question 32

What is a primary goal of DAST in the context of software development?

Accepted Answer

Detect vulnerabilities before deployment, reducing the risk of releasing vulnerable applications into production

Answer

Identify vulnerabilities in production, after the application has been released

Answer

Automate security testing, reducing the need for manual intervention

Answer

Provide continuous security monitoring, ensuring ongoing protection

Question 33

Which of the following is a potential impact of DAST on application performance?

Accepted Answer

Slowdown during scanning, as the DAST tool interacts with the application and may consume resources

Answer

Increased performance

Answer

Improved scalability

Answer

No impact

Question 34

Which of the following is a common best practice for implementing DAST effectively?

Accepted Answer

Integrate with continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline, allowing for automated and regular vulnerability detection

Answer

Perform scans manually and infrequently

Answer

Use only open-source DAST tools

Question 35

Which of the following is a typical output of a DAST scan?

Accepted Answer

List of identified vulnerabilities, providing detailed information about potential security weaknesses

Answer

Detailed code analysis report

Answer

Network traffic logs

Answer

Security policy recommendations

Question 36

How can organizations leverage DAST to enhance their overall security posture?

Accepted Answer

Improve security monitoring and incident response by providing real-time visibility into application vulnerabilities

Answer

Reduce the cost of cybersecurity

Answer

Guarantee complete protection against all threats

Answer

Eliminate the need for manual security testing

Question 37

Which of the following is a key advantage of Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Accepted Answer

Identifies vulnerabilities in the application's runtime environment

Answer

Is more accurate than other types of security testing

Answer

Provides comprehensive coverage of all security vulnerabilities

Question 38

What is a primary limitation of DAST compared to other security testing methods?

Accepted Answer

Can only detect vulnerabilities that are accessible during runtime

Answer

Is more time-consuming than other methods

Answer

Requires access to the application's source code

Question 39

What is the primary difference between DAST and SAST?

Accepted Answer

DAST tests the application while it's running, while SAST tests the application's source code

Answer

DAST is more comprehensive than SAST

Answer

SAST is more accurate than DAST

Question 40

What type of information should be provided to DAST tools for effective testing?

Accepted Answer

Target URL, authentication credentials, and any application-specific parameters

Answer

Only the target URL

Answer

Only authentication credentials

Question 41

Which of the following key benefits does DAST provide?

Accepted Answer

Identifies vulnerabilities within the application's runtime environment

Answer

Can only be performed on static code

Answer

Requires access to the application's source code

Question 42

DAST employs which type of testing approach?

Accepted Answer

Black-box testing

Answer

Gray-box testing

Answer

White-box testing

Question 43

Which of the following tools is commonly utilized for DAST?

Accepted Answer

Burp Suite

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Nessus

Answer

Metasploit

Question 44

Identify a potential limitation associated with DAST:

Accepted Answer

May not detect vulnerabilities in the application's logic

Answer

Provides detailed vulnerability reports

Answer

Can be performed on any application

Question 45

What is the primary objective of fuzzing in DAST?

Accepted Answer

To identify vulnerabilities through invalid or unexpected inputs

Answer

To examine application performance

Answer

To generate test cases

Question 46

Which approach is recommended when conducting DAST?

Accepted Answer

Combining both active and passive scans

Answer

Testing against known vulnerabilities only

Answer

Performing DAST only after static testing

Answer

Ignoring low-severity vulnerabilities

Question 47

What is the main distinction between DAST and SAST?

Accepted Answer

DAST tests applications during runtime, while SAST tests static code

Answer

DAST is more comprehensive than SAST

Answer

DAST requires access to the application's source code, while SAST does not

Question 48

Which of the following accurately describes Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?

Accepted Answer

It tests a running application's behavior and responses to identify potential vulnerabilities.

Answer

It is a static code analysis technique used to find vulnerabilities in the source code.

Answer

It simulates real-world attacks to assess an application's resilience to malicious actors.

Answer

It involves manually reviewing application logic to identify security flaws.

Question 49

What is a primary benefit of utilizing DAST?

Accepted Answer

It can detect vulnerabilities that arise from interactions and data flow during runtime.

Answer

It provides complete assurance that an application is free of all vulnerabilities.

Answer

It can identify vulnerabilities before the application is deployed.

Answer

It is the fastest and most cost-effective method of application security testing.

Question 50

Which of the following is NOT a technique commonly employed in DAST?

Accepted Answer

Formal verification

Answer

Mutation testing

Answer

Cross-site scripting (XSS) testing

Answer

Fuzzing

Question 51

What is a common challenge associated with DAST?

Accepted Answer

Interpreting and prioritizing a potentially large number of findings.

Answer

It can only be performed during the development phase.

Answer

It is not compatible with modern web application frameworks.

Answer

It requires extensive manual effort and expertise to implement.

Question 52

Which of the following is a critical step in the DAST process?

Accepted Answer

Crawling and mapping the target application's structure and functionality.

Answer

Updating the operating system and software on the testing environment.

Answer

Manually reviewing the application's source code for vulnerabilities.

Answer

Performing a comprehensive network vulnerability assessment.

Question 53

How does DAST fundamentally differ from Static Application Security Testing (SAST)?

Accepted Answer

DAST evaluates an application's behavior at runtime, while SAST analyzes the application's source code.

Answer

DAST is primarily used for testing web applications, while SAST is used for testing mobile applications.

Answer

DAST is more comprehensive than SAST.

Answer

DAST can be automated, while SAST is a manual process.

Question 54

Which of the following tools is widely used for conducting DAST?

Accepted Answer

OWASP ZAP

Answer

Nessus

Answer

Wireshark

Answer

Nmap

Question 55

What is a best practice for effectively leveraging DAST?

Accepted Answer

Combining DAST with other testing techniques, such as SAST, to achieve a comprehensive security assessment.

Answer

Ignoring findings that are deemed to be false positives.

Answer

Only testing publicly accessible parts of the application.

Answer

Focusing solely on testing for high-severity vulnerabilities.