What is a common limitation of automated scanning tools in identifying specific security flaws?

Automated scanning tools are immensely helpful in the realm of security assessments, particularly for identifying a range of vulnerabilities. However, these tools often struggle with dynamic content, which is prevalent in modern web applications. Dynamic content refers to content that changes in response to user interactions or data inputs, such as pages that update in real-time or applications that load information via APIs.

The limitation arises because automated scanners typically operate based on predefined rules and patterns that are effective for static content analysis. They may not be equipped to interpret or interact with the dynamic elements of a webpage that depend on user interaction or real-time data. As a result, vulnerabilities that manifest only in a dynamic context, such as client-side scripting issues or flaws that require specific input to reveal, may remain undetected.

Understanding this limitation underscores the importance of complementing automated tools with manual testing techniques, particularly for complex applications. This hybrid approach ensures a more comprehensive security assessment that can identify both static and dynamic vulnerabilities.