API Security Testing

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API Security Testing is to identify, classify and exploit potential vulnerabilities in Application Programming Interfaces (API) and Web Services. Security Assessments aids the developers to timely remediate the vulnerabilities, enhance its overall security and safeguard the software from any unauthorized access which can cause a negative impact on the organization.

APIs expose application logic and sensitive data such as Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and hence the vulnerability. Advancements in the web technologies have increased the use of the API owing to their capability in providing ease in usage of the software technologies.

Hence assessments like API security testing as per OWASP API Top 10 2019, helps the developers to remediate vulnerabilities that may cause a potential impact on the organization or on business.

Methodology

Information Gathering

Post scope definition, we enumerate the scoped systems to gain information about the potential vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Analysis and Exploitation

We identify the vulnerable input parameters of the API through automated as well as manual testing and exploit it.

Post-Exploitation Assessment

We assess the value of the compromised API, to determine whether any further exploitation is possible.

Initial Reporting

Document detailed report listing the classified findings in a clear, concise and effective manner.

Confirmatory Assessment

API services are re-tested to validate the applied fix after remediation for the identified observations

Final Reporting

Based on the test results of the confirmatory assessment, a Pass/Fail report is issued.

benefits

API security testing is a continuous improvement process securing the data and the reputation of the firm and the user. The benefits of API security testing run far and help businesses meet their compliance requirements faster.

Standing from a cybersecurity point of view we provide a concise and comprehensive report that details all the necessary aspects of your application that needs to be improved. Our API security testing program provides the following benefits:

Possible prevention of hacking attacks.
Identification of API security issues before the bad guys.
Ease to adhere to any compliance regulations and standards.
Better assurance towards application security.

frequently asked questions

What is the standard followed for API Security Testing?

OWASP API Top 10, SANS 25, NIST,PCI and all applicable industry standard security frameworks are the usual standard documents that are followed for VAPT of APIs.

what are the best scanning practices?

Best Scanning Practice includes performing all scans and re-scans within 30 days. Also, organizations should deploy all vulnerability patches having Critical and High severity in 15 days. If organizations are unable to fix any vulnerability within 30 days, then the particular vulnerability is to be reported, so that the alternative controls to mitigate the risk could be applied and the organizations can conduct assessment for the particular finding in the next scan.

How much time does an API VAPT take?

It takes 4-5 days to complete the test (might vary depending upon the number of API’s) and 1-2 days for the reporting.

What does an API security testing report consist of?

The API Security Test report consists of the following:
• The report defines a detailed risk description for every reported vulnerability.
• The report demonstrates all the identified vulnerabilities with Proof-of-Concept (POC) collected while performing the security assessment.
• The report categorizes all the reported vulnerabilities in the report into severity levels such as ‘Critical,’ ‘High,’ ‘Medium’ & ‘Low’ depending on the risk and the potential business impact it may cause due to vulnerability exploitation.
• Recommendations for the effective mitigation and closure of the identified vulnerabilities are assigned and mentioned in the report.
• Usually, only those vulnerabilities that are identified on the date of the assessment are reported and no vulnerabilities will be reported that are present before or after the period of the assessment.

What are the different tools used for VAPT of API?

For VAPT of API various commercial and open source tools such as Burpsuite, Netsparker, Kali Linux etc are used.

What are the types of vulnerability assessment methodologies for API testing?

In Vulnerability Analysis of API, the vulnerable input parameters of the API are identified, and the weakness of the API is displayed.
The below types of testing are done in this phase:
a. Automated Testing: Automated Testing is conducted using Automated and Commercial API Security assessment scanners to identify and detect security vulnerabilities in the API.
b. Manual Testing: It is conducted for the following reasons:
• To identify potential vulnerabilities detected in Automated Testing to gain confirmation of the identified vulnerability.
• To identify vulnerabilities which may not be possible to identify in Automated Testing.
• To exploit vulnerabilities which may not be exploited using automated API Security assessment scanners.