Hey all,
I've been monitoring this thread [1] and some excellent points have
been raised (cross-posting to websecurity as the subject matter
applies). I'm personally very interested in the potential benefits of
an integration between dynamic and static analysis scanning
technology. The spork of software security testing. The desire of many
is a single solution that unifies the benefits of both methodologies
and simultaneously reduces their respective well-described
limitations. For at least the last couple of years there have been
vendors claiming success in this area, of which I remain skeptical.
A brief explanation of the bi-directional and somewhat simple sounding
innovations that vendors are trying to develop:
1) Dynamic Scanner -> Static Analyzer
A dynamic analysis engine capable of providing HTTP vulnerability
details (URL, cookie, form etc.) to a static analysis tool. Static
analysis results narrowed down to a single line of insecure code or
subroutine to speed vulnerability remediation. Prioritize issues that
are located in a publicly available code flow vs. those that are not
technically remotely-exploitable. Isolate security issues where source
code was not available, such as third-party libraries.
Static Analyzer -> Dynamic Scanner
2) A static analyzer capable of providing a remotely available attack
surface (URLs, Forms, etc.) to a dynamic analysis tool. Dynamic
analysis may realize additional testing comprehensiveness, measurement
of coverage depth, and hints for creating exploit proof-of-concepts.
Not to mention able to provide more detailed application fix
recommendations.
<vendor bias>
As it stands currently, the state-of-the-art is basically a reporting
mash-up. Very little of the aforementioned advancements have been
proven to funtion outside of the lab environment. If anyone has
evidence to the contrary they can point to, please speak up. For those
curious as to Tom Brennan's comment, these are the areas Fortify and
WhiteHat are together working on.
</vendor bias>
This is an excellent time to be in the application and software
security industry. Over the next few years there is going to be a lot
of innovation and awareness in the "defense" side of the industry.
Talent, skill, and experience is going to command a premium.
[1] http://www.mail-archive.com/sc-l@securecoding.org/msg02731.html
Regards,
Jeremiah Grossman
Chief Technology Officer
WhiteHat Security, Inc.
http://www.whitehatsec.com/
blog: http://jeremiahgrossman.blogspot.com/
twitter: @jeremiahg
_______________________________________________
Secure Coding mailing list (SC-L) SC-L@securecoding.org
List information, subscriptions, etc - http://krvw.com/mailman/listinfo/sc-l
List charter available at - http://www.securecoding.org/list/charter.php
SC-L is hosted and moderated by KRvW Associates, LLC (http://www.KRvW.com)
as a free, non-commercial service to the software security community.
_______________________________________________
