Re: tools for analyzing java code

Hi Mads,

There are a few commercial tools (e.g. Ounce Labs, Fortify, Parasoft) for 
this that are coming along nicely.  We use these as a part of our reviews, 
and they can definitely help speed a security review in the hands of a 
security expert.

A few things that are very important in these tools:

1) Easy Set Up -- Gather all the source code together, get libraries, 
binaries, handle dependencies, etc...

2) Knows Your Libraries -- I don't see how a tool can say anything about 
your security unless it knows what all the libraries your program calls 
actually do.

3) Customizable -- You should be able to teach it about the common custom 
libraries you use within your organization.  E.g. tell it where the logging 
and encryption calls are.

4) Hooked In -- The tool should be hooked into your development environment 
AND your bug tracking system.

5) Warnings -- I'd say the majority of security problems in code cannot be 
absolutely identified with an automated solution.  So the tool should be 
designed to facilitate human review by a security expert (and not focus on 
eliminating false alarms).

--Jeff

Jeff Williams
Aspect Security, Inc.
http://www.aspectsecurity.com

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mads Rasmussen" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, May 05, 2005 10:37 AM
Subject: tools for analyzing java code


>
> Anyone knows any tools to analyze security problems with java code?
>
> I have come across some, like
>
> Lint4j (open source)
> http://www.jutils.com/index.html
>
> CodePro Analytix
> http://www.instantiations.com/codepro/download.asp
>
> Jtest
> http://www.parasoft.com/jsp/products/home.jsp?product=Jtest&itemId=14
>
> Parasoft's Jtest that mainly does coding style analysis but appears to 
> have some security checks (50+).
>
> I would like to hear from anyone who has experience with these tools or 
> anyone who might know better ways to analyze java code from a security 
> perspective.
>
> Regards,
>
> Mads Rasmussen
> Security Consultant
> Open Communications Security
>
>