In today’s DevOps-driven world, speed and security often clash. CI/CD pipelines accelerate delivery, but vulnerabilities can slip through if security isn’t automated. Enter Dastardly, a free Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tool by PortSwigger (creators of Burp Suite). Designed to integrate seamlessly into CI/CD workflows, Dastardly ensures your apps stay secure without slowing down development. Let’s explore why it’s a game-changer. Conclusion:
Secure your pipeline without breaking the bank..
What is Dastardly?
Dastardly performs automated security scans directly in your CI/CD pipeline, identifying critical vulnerabilities like:
- SQL Injection (SQLi)
- Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
- Server Misconfigurations
- Insecure APIs
What is DAST?
DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) is a type of security testing that analyzes a running application to find vulnerabilities, typically in web applications. Unlike Static Application Security Testing (SAST), which analyzes source code, DAST tests applications in real-time, simulating an attacker's perspective.
Key Features of DAST:
- Black-box testing: It doesn't require access to source code.
- Focus on runtime vulnerabilities: Identifies issues like SQL injection, XSS (Cross-Site Scripting), and security misconfigurations.
- Automated scanning: Often used in CI/CD pipelines for continuous security testing.
- Language agnostic: Works on any web application regardless of the tech stack.
Dastardly by Burp is a lightweight DAST tool designed for CI/CD pipelines, helping teams catch security issues early with minimal setup.
How it works:
- Scans Web Apps/APIs: Tests running applications for flaws.
- CI/CD Integration: Runs scans during builds, failing pipelines if risks are detected.
- Simple Reporting: Generates actionable reports with vulnerability details.
Why Choose Dastardly Over Competitors?
Let's compare it to popular alternatives:
Tool: Dastardly
Cost: Free
Ease of use: Low-code setup
CI/CD Integration: Native (CLI/Jenkins)
Coverage: OWASP ZAP 10
Tool: Forfify
Cost: Paid/Enterprise
Ease of use: Moderate/Complex
CI/CD Integration: Native (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, etc.)
Coverage: SAST
Tool: OWASP ZAP
Cost: Free/Open-Source
Ease of use: Moderate
CI/CD Integration: Plugin
Coverage: Customizable
Tool: Snyk
Cost: Paid
Ease of use: Easy
CI/CD Integration: Native
Coverage: SAST/SCA/DAST
Tool: Veracode
Cost: Enterprise
Ease of use: Complex
CI/CD Integration: Partial
Coverage: Comprehensive
Why Dastardly Wins:
- Zero Cost: Ideal for startups and budget-conscious teams.
- Simplicity: Minimal configuration; no PhD in security needed.
- Pipeline-Friendly: Designed explicitly for CI/CD, unlike tools retrofitted for DevOps.
Integrating Dastardly with Jenkins
Here’s how to add Dastardly to your Jenkins pipeline in 4 steps:
1- Create Pipeline from Jenkins:
2- Add a Jenkins Build Step:
In your Jenkinsfile, add a stage:
pipeline {
agent any
stages {
stage ("Docker Pull Dastardly from Burp Suite container image") {
steps {
sh 'docker pull public.ecr.aws/portswigger/dastardly:latest'
}
}
stage ("Docker run Dastardly from Burp Suite Scan") {
steps {
cleanWs()
sh '''
docker run --user $(id -u) -v ${WORKSPACE}:${WORKSPACE}:rw \
-e BURP_START_URL=https://example.com/ \
-e BURP_REPORT_FILE_PATH=${WORKSPACE}/dastardly-report.xml \
public.ecr.aws/portswigger/dastardly:latest
'''
}
}
}
post {
always {
junit testResults: 'dastardly-report.xml', skipPublishingChecks: true
}
}
}
Remove --user $(id -u) if you are gonna test one time on PowerShell.
Best Use Cases & Optimization Tips
Use Cases:
- Shift-Left Security: Catch vulnerabilities before production.
- API Testing: Secure REST/GraphQL endpoints in CI.
- Open Source Projects: No cost barriers for community-driven apps.
Optimization Tips:
1- Parallel Scans: Run Dastardly alongside unit tests to save time.
2- Baseline Scans: Start with a baseline to ignore known false positives.
3- Combine with SAST: Pair Dastardly (DAST) with Snyk or SonarQube (SAST) for full coverage.
4- Schedule Regular Scans: Use Jenkins cron triggers for nightly scans.
Final Thoughts
Dastardly bridges the gap between speed and security, offering a no-cost, no-fuss solution for CI/CD pipelines. While it may lack the depth of enterprise tools like Veracode, its simplicity and seamless Jenkins integration make it a must-try for teams prioritizing agility. Start with Dastardly to bake security into your DevOps recipe — before the next breach bakes you.
Ready to try? Download Dastardly at portswigger.net and secure your pipeline today.
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