How to Run an Application Vulnerability Scanning: Step by Step

Why Regular Vulnerability Assessments Are Essential

Applications are at the heart of modern business operations, but they’re also a top target for attackers. Vulnerability assessments are a crucial process that helps security teams identify and mitigate weaknesses before they can be exploited. 

Without regular application vulnerability scanning, even well-secured systems can become a liability, especially as new code is pushed, third-party libraries are added, and threat landscapes shift.

In fact, overlooking vulnerability assessments can lead to alert fatigue and missed risks. That’s why many organizations are turning to risk-based approaches, as discussed in this guide on building a scalable AppSec program.

Common Vulnerabilities Detected in Applications

A robust vulnerability analysis process often uncovers a wide range of issues, including:

• Injection flaws (e.g., SQL injection, command injection)
• Cross-site scripting (XSS)
• Broken authentication
  
• Security misconfigurations
  
• Exposure of sensitive data
  
• Insecure dependencies

These issues can exist in both custom code and open-source components. For example, known vs. unknown vulnerabilities can emerge in cloud-native applications, as highlighted in this article.

Step-by-Step Guide to Run an Application Vulnerability Scan

Running an application vulnerability scan isn’t just about clicking a button; it’s a structured process. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Define Your Scope

Identify which applications, services, and environments need scanning. Focus on high-risk areas first, such as critical business systems or externally exposed APIs.

2. Choose the Right Vulnerability Assessment Tools

Select tools that match your tech stack and risk profile. For complex applications, combine static (SAST), dynamic (DAST), and software composition analysis (SCA) tools for comprehensive coverage. Consider how these tools fit into your CI/CD pipelines and AppSec program.

3. Configure Scanning Parameters

Customize scanning rules based on your application’s architecture and known risk areas. For instance, you may want to exclude certain test environments or adjust sensitivity levels.

4. Run the Scan

Execute the scan manually or trigger it as part of your CI/CD workflow. For better results, integrate scans into your build pipelines to catch issues earlier.

5. Review and Analyze Findings

This is where vulnerability analysis comes in. Not all findings are equal. Prioritize based on exploitability, business impact, and exposure, as discussed in this blog.

6. Remediate and Rescan

Assign issues to the right owners, fix critical flaws, and validate that issues have been resolved by rescanning. For enterprise teams, integration with tools like ServiceNow Vulnerability Response can help streamline remediation, as covered here.

Integrating Security Vulnerability Testing into CI/CD Pipelines

Embedding security vulnerability testing directly into CI/CD pipelines ensures issues are caught before they reach production. This approach supports a “shift-left” strategy, where security is built into the development process. Here’s how to make it happen:

• Automate scans: Trigger scans on every code push or pull request.
  
• Use contextual prioritization: Focus on vulnerabilities that introduce real business risk, not just noise.
  
• Break the build only when necessary: Define policies for critical vulnerabilities to avoid disrupting development unnecessarily.
  
• Collaborate across teams: Make results actionable for developers by integrating findings into issue tracking systems.
  

When done right, this integration fosters a culture of secure coding and continuous risk reduction.

FAQ

What is the purpose of application vulnerability scanning?

Application vulnerability scanning identifies security weaknesses in software, helping teams detect and address risks before attackers can exploit them. It’s a proactive way to strengthen security posture across the software development lifecycle.

What’s the difference between vulnerability scanning and vulnerability analysis?

Vulnerability scanning refers to the automated detection of known issues, while vulnerability analysis involves reviewing and interpreting scan results in the context of your business risk, architecture, and impact.

How often should vulnerability assessments be performed?

Vulnerability assessments should be performed regularly, ideally integrated into every code release cycle. At a minimum, assessments should occur quarterly or after significant changes to the application.

What tools are used for application vulnerability scanning?

Common tools include static application security testing (SAST), dynamic application security testing (DAST), and software composition analysis (SCA) platforms. The right mix depends on your application’s architecture and risk profile.

Final Thoughts

Application vulnerability scanning is more than a checkbox; it’s a critical component of a mature AppSec program. By integrating vulnerability assessment tools into CI/CD pipelines and following vulnerability scanning best practices, organizations can proactively manage risk, streamline security operations, and protect sensitive data.

To learn more about how Apiiro supports enterprise-scale AppSec, check out our post on building and scaling a risk-based AppSec program.