Active DAST involves what kind of actions?

Active Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in a running application by simulating attacks. The correct answer emphasizes the true nature of active DAST, which involves sending malicious data to the application. This approach allows security professionals to observe how the application responds to potential exploitation attempts, revealing weaknesses that could be exploited by an attacker.

By intentionally injecting malicious inputs or commands, DAST tools can uncover issues such as injection vulnerabilities, improper input validation, and insecure API endpoints. This method contrasts with passive testing approaches or static analysis, which do not involve interaction with the application while it is executing.

Understanding the purpose of active DAST is crucial for effectively implementing security testing strategies. It enables organizations to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the real world.