How Does StackHawk Work?

In today's digital landscape, robust security across applications and APIs is paramount, prompting developers to increasingly rely on automated security testing methods to preempt breaches. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) has long been used to identify vulnerabilities in code dependencies before production, but it falls short in detecting runtime vulnerabilities. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), exemplified by platforms like StackHawk, addresses this gap by examining applications in their operational environment to uncover vulnerabilities such as injection attacks and cross-site scripting that emerge only when applications are running. StackHawk, a modern DAST tool, supports various API types, including REST, GraphQL, SOAP, and gRPC, and integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines, enabling developers to identify and fix security flaws earlier in the software development lifecycle. By simulating potential attacker actions and utilizing features like HawkScan Scanner for path discovery and vulnerability detection, StackHawk minimizes false positives and helps developers prioritize and address critical security issues efficiently. Additionally, StackHawk provides comprehensive reports and potential fixes, empowering development teams to maintain application security and integrity.