How SAST Tools Secure AI-generated Code

Nipun Gupta

Cyber GTM Executive
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SAST is a type of security testing that analyzes source code to identify potential security vulnerabilities. It does this without executing the code, hence the term "static". This method is crucial for early detection of flaws that could lead to security breaches.

With the advent of AI code-generating tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT, the role of SAST is undergoing a significant transformation.

In this blog, I'll share some thoughts on security issues related to AI-generated code.

Trustworthiness of AI-Generated Code: The Core Concern

Tools like GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT he revolutionized coding practices, but they also bring forth challenges in reliability and security.

The security of AI-generated code is inherently linked to the data used for training these AI models. Since much of the existing source code has security vulnerabilities, AI-generated code is likely to inherit these flaws.

Crappy code, crappy Copilot. GitHub Copilot is writing vulnerable code and it could be your fault

The promise of AI code assistance like Copilot was an exciting promise when released. But they might not be the answer to all your problems. A research study has now found that while Copilot frequently introduces vulnerabilities, it may in fact be influenced by the input. Poor code, poor outcome.

GitGuardian Blog - Automated Secrets DetectionMackenzie Jackson

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If humans can't write secure code, AI cannot either because they have been trained using the same ideas, the same code bases - Nipun Gupta at "SecurityRepo Podcast"

There's also the "hallucination" problem in AI, where the output might appear accurate but may not be factually or contextually correct, particularly in terms of security, because generative AI is often giving you exactly the answer you want.

Assistance in code generation will always be questionable if you want to follow sound business logic. Also, the security of your software is paramount if you're in. So it doesn't make a difference if you use AI-generated code or Stackoverflow, even if the latter has comments to the code snippets and ChatGPT doesn't.

Security in the Age of AI-Generated Code

While AI tools can significantly enhance productivity for routine tasks, the ultimate responsibility for code security is on developers. Given the high volume of code being produced, we cannot expect security teams to review it comprehensively.

So, within this new context, how to properly integrate security checks into the development workflow? What are the tools that would enable us to reduce the security limitations when using generative AI?

Scan code with a SAST

As AI tools become more prevalent in software development, SAST tools and methodologies need to evolve. Traditional SAST solutions were designed for code written by humans, where common patterns and vulnerabilities were well-understood. With AI entering the fray, SAST must adapt to understand and effectively analyze the nuances of AI-generated code, which might differ significantly from human-written code.

A robust SAST process can scrutinize AI-generated code with a critical eye, ensuring that the output aligns with security best practices and the specific requirements of the project.

Conclusion

As AI continues to reshape how code is written and managed, the emphasis on vigilant, security-conscious development practices becomes increasingly crucial. SAST stands as a critical tool in ensuring that the efficiencies gained through AI do not come at the cost of security and reliability.

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