DAST on-demand scan

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• Tier: Ultimate
• Offering: GitLab.com, GitLab Self-Managed, GitLab Dedicated

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[!warning] Do not run DAST scans against a production server. Not only can it perform any function that a user can, such as clicking buttons or submitting forms, but it may also trigger bugs, leading to modification or loss of production data. Only run DAST scans against a test server.

On-demand scans

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• Runner tags selection enabled on GitLab.com and GitLab Self-Managed in GitLab 16.3.
• Browser based on-demand DAST scans available in GitLab 17.0 and later because proxy-based DAST was removed in the same version.

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An on-demand DAST scan runs outside the DevOps lifecycle. Changes in your repository don't trigger the scan. You must either start it manually, or schedule it to run. For on-demand DAST scans, a site profile defines what is to be scanned, and a scanner profile defines how the application is to be scanned.

An on-demand scan can be run in active or passive mode:

• Passive mode: The default mode, which runs a Passive Browser based scan.
• Active mode: Runs an Active Browser based scan which is potentially harmful to the site being scanned. To minimize the risk of accidental damage, running an active scan requires a validated site profile.

View on-demand DAST scans

To view on-demand scans:

1. In the top bar, select Search or go to and find your project or group.
2. Select Secure > On-demand scans.

On-demand scans are grouped by their status. The scan library contains all available on-demand scans.

Run an on-demand DAST scan

Prerequisites:

• You must have permission to run an on-demand DAST scan against a protected branch. The default branch is automatically protected. For more information, see Pipeline security on protected branches.

To run an existing on-demand scan:

1. In the top bar, select Search or go to and find your project.

2. Select Secure > On-demand scans.

3. Select the Scan library tab.

4. In the scan's row, select Run scan.

   If the branch saved in the scan no longer exists, you must:

   1. Edit the scan.
   2. Select a new branch.
   3. Save the edited scan.

The on-demand DAST scan runs, and the project's dashboard shows the results.

Create an on-demand scan

Create an on-demand scan to:

• Run it immediately.
• Save it to be run in the future.
• Schedule it to be run at a specified schedule.

To create an on-demand DAST scan:

1. In the top bar, select Search or go to and find your project or group.

2. Select Secure > On-demand scans.

3. Select New scan.

4. Complete the Scan name and Description fields.

5. In the Branch dropdown list, select the desired branch.

6. Optional. Select the runner tags.

7. Select Select scanner profile or Change scanner profile to open the drawer, and either:

   • Select a scanner profile from the drawer, or
   • Select New profile, create a scanner profile, then select Save profile.

8. Select Select site profile or Change site profile to open the drawer, and either:

   • Select a site profile from the Site profile library drawer, or
   • Select New profile, create a site profile, then select Save profile.

9. To run the on-demand scan:

   • Immediately, select Save and run scan.

   • In the future, select Save scan.

   • On a schedule:

     • Turn on the Enable scan schedule toggle.
     • Complete the schedule fields.
     • Select Save scan.

The on-demand DAST scan runs as specified and the project's dashboard shows the results.

View details of an on-demand scan

Prerequisites:

• You must be able to push to the branch associated with the DAST scan.

To view details of an on-demand scan:

1. In the top bar, select Search or go to and find your project.
2. Select Secure > On-demand scans.
3. Select the Scan library tab.
4. In the saved scan's row select More actions ({{< icon name="ellipsis_v" >}}), then select Edit.

Edit an on-demand scan

Prerequisites:

• You must be able to push to the branch associated with the DAST scan.

To edit an on-demand scan:

1. In the top bar, select Search or go to and find your project.
2. Select Secure > On-demand scans.
3. Select the Scan library tab.
4. In the saved scan's row select More actions ({{< icon name="ellipsis_v" >}}), then select Edit.
5. Edit the saved scan's details.
6. Select Save scan.

Delete an on-demand scan

To delete an on-demand scan:

1. In the top bar, select Search or go to and find your project.
2. Select Secure > On-demand scans.
3. Select the Scan library tab.
4. In the saved scan's row select More actions ({{< icon name="ellipsis_v" >}}), then select Delete.
5. On the confirmation dialog, select Delete.