Which analysis method is typically used to explore vulnerabilities through manual code inspection?

The static analysis method is commonly used to identify vulnerabilities in code by examining the source code without executing the program. This approach allows security analysts to analyze the code structure, data flows, and control flows, helping them to identify potential weaknesses or security flaws before the code is compiled and run.

Static analysis tools can provide insights into issues such as buffer overflows, injection vulnerabilities, and logic flaws by scanning the codebase for patterns that indicate insecure coding practices. This method is crucial for early detection of vulnerabilities and often complements other analysis techniques, particularly in development environments where secure coding practices are essential.

In contrast, dynamic analysis involves executing the code in a runtime environment to observe its behavior during execution, which can reveal different kinds of vulnerabilities. Reverse engineering typically refers to analyzing compiled applications to understand their structure and behavior, often in the context of security research or malware analysis. Behavioral analysis focuses on how an application behaves during runtime, often in response to user interactions or external inputs. While all these methods have their place in security analysis, static analysis is specifically designed for manual inspection of the code itself.