What is Manual DAST?

Manual DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) involves security experts manually testing a live, running application to identify vulnerabilities. Unlike automated DAST tools, manual DAST relies on the tester's knowledge and intuition to explore the application, mimicking how a real attacker might approach it.

The security tester manually interacts with the application, using various techniques like inputting unexpected data, manipulating URLs, and analyzing responses to uncover flaws. This method is particularly useful for finding complex, context-specific vulnerabilities that automated tools might miss, such as business logic flaws, race conditions, and issues in unique or non-standard features.

Manual DAST is often more time-consuming but can be more thorough and targeted, providing deeper insights into the application’s security posture.