What is the purpose of static source code analysis (SAST)?

The purpose of static source code analysis (SAST) is to find vulnerabilities by analyzing the source code without execution. This technique involves reviewing the codebase to identify security flaws, coding errors, or other weaknesses that could be exploited, all while the application is not running. By examining the code in this way, developers can detect potential issues early in the development process, before the software is deployed or executed. This proactive approach allows for mitigation measures to be implemented, enhancing the overall security posture of the software while reducing risks associated with deployment in a production environment.

Other methods like monitoring applications during runtime or conducting tests with actual user data focus on different aspects of security and may miss vulnerabilities present in the code itself prior to execution. Simulating real-world attack scenarios pertains to dynamic testing methodologies, which evaluate how the deployed application behaves under attack conditions, rather than focusing on the vulnerabilities present in the code prior to runtime.