Dynamic Analysis Definition:
Dynamic Analysis is a software testing technique that involves evaluating the behaviour of an application during its execution. Unlike static analysis, which examines code without running it, Dynamic Analysis monitors an application's runtime behaviour, interactions, and responses to inputs, providing insights into its security, performance, and stability.
What is Dynamic Analysis?
Dynamic Analysis tests how an application operates under real-world conditions by executing it in a controlled environment. The technique is used to identify runtime vulnerabilities, memory leaks, unexpected behaviour, and performance bottlenecks. It is often applied to web applications, APIs, network services, and software binaries to uncover security and functionality issues that may not be apparent during code review.
Why is Dynamic Analysis important?
The purpose of Dynamic Analysis is to detect security vulnerabilities, performance issues, and unexpected behaviour that arise during the application's execution. It provides a realistic assessment of how an application interacts with its environment and handles input, making it a critical component of software security testing and quality assurance.
How does Dynamic Analysis work?
Dynamic Analysis is conducted using specialised tools that monitor application behaviour during runtime. These tools may simulate attacks, generate test inputs, and track memory usage, execution paths, and system interactions. Techniques like Penetration Testing, fuzz testing, and load testing are common examples of Dynamic Analysis. Web application scanners, debuggers, and security tools like OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite are commonly used for Dynamic Analysis.
Dynamic Analysis Examples:
Examples of Dynamic Analysis include testing a web application for Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities by injecting malicious input, performing stress tests to evaluate how a system handles high traffic loads, and using debuggers to trace program execution and identify memory leaks or crashes.
Dynamic Analysis Issues:
Dynamic Analysis may have limitations, such as the need for a controlled test environment, potential false positives, and challenges in simulating certain real-world conditions. It can also be time-consuming and resource-intensive. To maximise effectiveness, Dynamic Analysis is often combined with static analysis and manual code reviews, providing comprehensive security and quality testing.
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