What Is RASP – Runtime Application Self-Protection?

RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection) is a technology paradigm that integrates security functionality within individual software applications to defend against cyberattacks. What makes RASP unique, compared to other security implements such as those built on WAF (Web Application Firewall) technology, is that it integrates into the application itself, producing insights that would be impossible to get elsewhere.

How Does RASP Security Work?

RASP implementation acts as a library installed in the app server. While it works on the app level at runtime, it does not require code changes in the app itself. RASPs, when properly implemented, can integrate into apps, sending back information down to the code level of how attacks are happening.

This runtime paradigm allows for insights into vulnerabilities and attacks that would have been impossible before and can require a low processing overhead at the application level. Since RASP is looking for broad types of suspicious behavior, it can catch zero-day vulnerabilities in much the same manner that it can catch known threats. Information on zero-day vulnerabilities can then be used to report and further combat these threats.

RASP vs WAF

A WAF, or web application firewall, monitors traffic between web applications and the Internet. It works similarly to a traditional network firewall, keeping many threats from the outside at bay. A RASP, on the other hand, works within an application, examining behavior on a code level to ensure it’s working properly and has not been compromised.

While “RASP vs WAF” makes for a good headline, RASP plus WAF is the ideal configuration for these two cyber-defense technologies. They work very differently but with the same end goal of protecting web applications. If attacks slip through a WAF system, the RASP can then defend against them, providing code-level insights into vulnerabilities. At the same time, there may be vulnerabilities that a RASP is less likely to catch.

Benefits of RASP

RASP is a newer technology than WAF and there is a wide range of benefits to using it. Consider the following benefits of a RASP-based system:

• Contextual Awareness – When an attack or potential threat happens, the system can give defenders specific information about what happened, down to the code level. This can be used to investigate and remediate this vulnerability and potentially even similar future vulnerabilities.
• Minimal False Positive Rate – Since a RASP implementation has deep insight into the inner workings of a running program, it can analyze potential threats in the context of the application itself. This allows it to identify true threats while ignoring supposedly malicious code and /or actions that could seem like a threat but are not a problem. This decreases stress on IT personnel, allowing them to address actual pressing issues.
• DevOps Support – With the deep analysis possible from a RASP implementation, insights gained can then be passed on to the development (i.e., DevOps team). This allows them to continuously improve software from a security standpoint, plugging vulnerabilities by default.
• Easy Maintenance – RASP works based on application insights, not a set of rules that need to be continuously updated based on current threats. While any software-based solution will need to be updated intermittently, this type of system allows applications to be reliably self-protected.

With its application-layer paradigm, RASP can protect against a wide range of attacks. These can include:

• Zero-Day Attacks – Previously unknown malware and cyberattacks can be countered with RASP, as RASP looks for suspicious behavior on a granular code-level basis. Unlike entirely pattern or signature-based solutions, RASP systems analyze patterns to catch unknown threats.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) – In this type of attack, malicious code is inserted within a legitimate website (the owners of which may not know of any problem). This malicious code then launches a malware script in a user’s browser, enabling attacks like identity compromise or the theft of sensitive information.
• SQL Injection – Here an attacker can execute SQL code on a website or web app, often simply pasting in the script as a URL. When unchecked, this type of attack can allow an attacker to access or modify data, or to even execute administrative actions on the SQL server.

RASP Drawbacks

While RASP implementations provide numerous cyber security benefits that are arguably well worth pursuing, there are several potential drawbacks or tradeoffs to using this type of system. Consider the following:

• RASP Is Still Relatively New – While RASP has been available for several years, a relatively small number of organizations are using it. As such, it has not been tested in every situation, and IT administrators may (or may not) want to take a wait-and-see approach. Conversely, if one decides the technology is ready for implementation, it could give adopters a competitive advantage.
• Runs at the Application Level (Not “a Device”) – Since RASP is deployed within an application’s code, it can affect the actual application’s performance. Slowdowns may be especially evident if RASP is implemented in a sub-optimal manner.
• Needs Cross-Organizational Buy-in for Best Effect – While IT could implement a RASP system to combat immediate web app threats, to permanently close this gap, intelligence needs to be shared and used by development teams. This requires buy-in from different teams, potentially stretching between companies and organizations.

FAQ

What does the acronym RASP stand for?

RASP stands for runtime application self-protection. This cyber defense implementation acts as a library on a web application server, fighting threats on the application code level.

What are RASP tools used for?

RASP (runtime application self-protection) tools are used to allow web applications to protect themselves at an application level, often after a WAF (web application firewall) has been penetrated by attackers. RASP tools also report on attacks at the code level, allowing software developers (e.g., DevOps) to use this insight for more permanent security fixes.

What is DevOps?

DevOps is a popular agile software development process. RASP can be important in the DevOps context by identifying potentially insecure code and helping teams mitigate risks during the development process.

What is a WAF?

WAF stands for web application firewall. It acts as a security system in the web application context, using a set of rules to filter and monitor HTTP traffic between applications and the Internet. A WAF performs similar functions to a traditional network firewall and can be used with a RASP for enhanced security.

What is better: RASP or WAF?

RASP (runtime application self-protection) can analyze and counter threats to an application’s runtime. A WAF (web application firewall) acts similarly to a traditional firewall, banishing threats before they hit a system. Both serve similar system protection purposes, but they should often be used together and not as an either/or solution.

Conclusion

While not every organization now uses RASP for security, it offers a wide range of benefits, from application-level support and even protection against zero-day vulnerabilities to optimization on both an immediate and developmental level. IT teams should consider using a RASP, likely in conjunction with other defensive measures like a WAF. If RASP has been evaluated in the past but not implemented, another look may be warranted to consider changes in threats and technology.

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