Source code analysis involves examining the code of a software application using both manual techniques and automated tools. The goal is to identify and fix errors and security vulnerabilities before the software is released to users or made commercially available.
This type of analysis—whether static or dynamic—is a key component of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDL), a widely adopted framework for building secure and reliable software.
Unlike penetration testing or user experience evaluations, source code analysis does not require simulating attacks or understanding how the application is used. It focuses solely on the underlying code to identify weaknesses that could be exploited by malicious actors.
Common vulnerabilities targeted in source code analysis include:
SQL Injection
Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
Code Injection
Command Injection
HTTP Response Splitting
Unreleased Resources
Local/Remote File Inclusion
Open Redirects
Input Validation Issues
Session Fixation
Dangerous File Uploads
Parameter Tampering
Session Poisoning
Backdoors
Denial of Service (DoS)
Buffer Overflows
Hardcoded Passwords
Unhandled Exceptions
Dangling Pointers
Race Conditions
By identifying and addressing these issues early in development, organizations can reduce the risk of security breaches and improve software quality.