Hybrid Security Testing

Simultaneous Analysis from Inside and Outside:
IAST Security Testing

Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

IAST is a hybrid approach combining the best features of SAST and DAST. An agent placed inside the application monitors the code and data flow at runtime. It reports vulnerabilities triggered by real HTTP requests with their exact code location. It offers a solution with a low false positive rate, rich context and native DevSecOps integration.

What Do We Offer? How Does the Process Work? Schedule a Meeting

SAST

Code analysis

+

DAST

Runtime testing

=

IAST

Hybrid power

What Do We Offer? IAST Service Scope

We deliver IAST not as mere "tool installation" but as an end-to-end service covering agent deployment, configuration optimisation, finding analysis and CI/CD integration. Every finding is enriched with its code location and data flow.

Agent Deployment

The IAST agent is deployed to the target environment (staging/QA). An agent appropriate to the runtime — Java, .NET, Node.js, Python, etc. — is selected and integrated into the application server.

Configuration Optimisation

Agent rule sets and sensitivity levels are optimised. Detection coverage is maximised while the performance impact is minimised. Custom rule definitions are configured.

Real-Time Monitoring

During QA tests, functional tests or manual use, the agent collects data passively. For every HTTP request, the code path, data flow and potential vulnerabilities are analysed.

Data Flow Analysis (Taint Tracking)

The path of user input (source) travelling through the application to sensitive points (sink) is traced. Tainted data reaching sinks such as SQL queries, the file system or the command line is detected.

Verified Finding Reporting

Every finding is verified with real runtime data. The false positive rate is much lower than SAST. Reports enriched with file, line number, function name and stack trace are provided.

CI/CD Pipeline Integration

Teams wishing to integrate IAST into their DevSecOps process receive guidance on pipeline design, threshold definitions and automated gate mechanisms.

Feature
SAST
DAST
IAST
Code Access
✓ Required
✗ Not required
✓ Via agent
Running Application
✗ Not required
✓ Required
✓ Required
Code Location
✓ Exact line
✗ None
✓ Exact line + stack
Runtime Behaviour
✗ Cannot see
✓ Sees
✓ Sees from inside
False Positives
High
Medium
Low
Data Flow Tracking
Static
✗ None
✓ Real-time

Who Is It For? Target Audience and Scenarios

IAST is ideal for organisations in an active development cycle, with defined QA processes, targeting DevSecOps maturity. It offers a powerful alternative for those tired of SAST's false positives and DAST's code blindness.

  • Agile/DevOps teams: Teams wanting to automate security testing within fast release cycles.
  • Those seeking QA integration: Organisations wanting security analysis during functional testing.
  • Those suffering false positive fatigue: Teams tired of sifting through SAST's hundreds of false positives.
  • Those needing code locations: Those who want more than DAST's "there is XSS somewhere" report.
  • Complex applications: Those wanting to trace data flow in multi-tier, microservice or API-heavy architectures.

When Is IAST the Right Choice?

IAST is positioned as a complement to SAST and DAST. It is not sufficient on its own, but it is strong where the other methods fall short: runtime-specific vulnerabilities (configuration errors, dynamic code), complex data flows (multi-tier applications) and security parallel to the QA process — when these are needed, IAST is ideal. However, as it requires agent deployment, it may not suit every environment.

How Does the Process Work? Agent-to-Insight Pipeline

We treat IAST not as "set and forget" but as a cyclical process involving deployment, monitoring, analysis and continuous improvement. A bridge is built between the QA and security teams.

Environment and Agent Selection

The target environment (staging/QA), technology stack (Java, .NET, Node.js, etc.) and the appropriate IAST agent are determined. Performance and coverage requirements are clarified.

Agent Deployment

The agent is integrated into the application server (JVM agent, .NET profiler, Node.js middleware, etc.). The configuration is optimised and the performance impact is validated.

Test Activity (Trigger)

The application is exercised through QA tests, functional tests, Selenium suites or manual use. Every HTTP request is monitored by the agent.

Data Flow and Vulnerability Analysis

The agent traces the journey of user input (tainted data) within the application. Data reaching sensitive sinks (SQL, filesystem, exec) is flagged as a vulnerability.

Finding Verification and Reporting

Detected vulnerabilities are reviewed and enriched with context. A detailed report is produced with file, line, function and full stack trace.

Remediation and Re-test

The development team applies fixes. When the same test activity is repeated, the agent automatically verifies closure.

How Does Taint Tracking Work?

Source: User input (HTTP parameter, header, cookie, request body) is marked as "tainted". Propagation: The journey of this data through the application — string concatenation, function calls, variable assignments — is traced. Sink: If tainted data reaches sensitive points such as a SQL query, the file system, the command line or the HTTP response without being sanitised, a vulnerability is reported.

Deliverables Code-Level Detail

The greatest advantage of IAST deliverables is that every finding is enriched with its exact code location and data flow. Developers find an instant answer to "where should I fix it?"

Executive Summary
Aggregation of risk themes, highlighting of critical findings, an assessment of test coverage and uncovered areas.
Technical Detail Report
For every finding: vulnerability type, affected file/line/function, full stack trace, the triggering HTTP request and a data flow diagram.
Data Flow Map
The journey of tainted data from source to sink: which functions it passed through, where it should have been sanitised, where the vulnerability arose.
Remediation Guide
Recommendations on how to fix, together with the exact code location. Input validation, output encoding and parameterised query examples.
Coverage Report
Code areas covered and not covered during the test activity. Which endpoints were tested, which were not exercised.
CI/CD Integration Guide
For those wishing to integrate IAST into the pipeline: agent deployment script, threshold definitions, build gate recommendations (optional).

Frequently Asked Questions About IAST

Positioning IAST correctly starts with understanding its relationship to the other test methods.

Does IAST replace SAST and DAST?
No, IAST is a complementary method. SAST adds value at the early stage (IDE/CI), DAST at the final stage (production-like), and IAST at the QA/test stage. Each method is strong in different areas. A comprehensive AppSec programme should include all three.
Does the IAST agent affect performance?
Yes, there is some performance impact (5-15% is common). For this reason IAST is generally used in staging/QA environments, not in production. The performance impact can be minimised through agent configuration and rule set optimisation.
Which technologies are supported?
Common IAST tools support Java (JVM), .NET, Node.js, Python, Ruby and Go. A different agent mechanism is used for each runtime (JVM instrumentation, .NET profiler API, Node.js hooks, etc.). Supported frameworks vary by tool.
What kinds of vulnerabilities does IAST detect?
Data flow-based vulnerabilities are IAST's strong suit: SQL Injection, XSS, Path Traversal, Command Injection, LDAP Injection, XXE and the like. Configuration issues, weak cryptography and hardcoded secrets can also be detected.
Can IAST be used in production?
Technically possible but not recommended. Due to the performance impact and potential stability risks, IAST is generally used in staging/QA environments. Some "RASP" (Runtime Application Self-Protection) products provide protection in production, but that is a different category.

Meet Hybrid Security Testing

Combine SAST's code location detail with DAST's runtime validation in a single solution. Let's evaluate together an IAST solution integrated into your QA processes, with low false positives.

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