OWASP API Security Top 10 2023: Key Updates and Changes
The OWASP API Security Top 10 2023 is a comprehensive list of the most critical API security risks. The latest release brings significant changes to help developers, organizations, and security professionals enhance API security.
Major Updates in OWASP API Security Top 10 2023
In the OWASP API Security Top 10 2023, the most notable changes include the addition of a new risk, the refinement of existing risks, and the removal of a previous risk.
Added
API10:2023 – Broken Function Level Authorization
This new risk has been added to emphasize the importance of securing API endpoints by ensuring proper access control and authorization mechanisms at the function level. Insecure function level authorization could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or functionality, making it crucial to implement robust authorization checks.
Updated and Refined
Several existing risks have been updated and refined to better address current API security concerns:
- API1:2023 – Broken Authentication: The updated version emphasizes the importance of multi-factor authentication, rate limiting, and securely storing credentials.
- API2:2023 – Excessive Data Exposure: The focus has shifted towards data filtering and minimizing data exposure, highlighting the need for data minimization techniques and client-side data filtering.
- API4:2023 – Lack of Resources & Rate Limiting: The updated risk highlights the need for proper rate limiting and resource allocation to prevent API abuse.
- API5:2023 – Insufficient Authorization: The latest version focuses more on the need for proper access control mechanisms, such as role-based access control and attribute-based access control.
- API6:2023 – Security Misconfiguration: The emphasis has been placed on maintaining a secure API configuration and keeping all components up-to-date.
- API7:2023 – Insecure Communication: The 2023 edition stresses the need for secure communication by encrypting data in transit and implementing certificate pinning.
- API8:2023 – Improper Assets Management: The updated risk emphasizes the importance of managing API assets, including inventory, documentation, and versioning.
- API9:2023 – Insufficient Logging and Monitoring: The new version highlights the importance of comprehensive logging and monitoring for detecting and responding to security incidents promptly.
Removed
API10:2019 – Insufficient Cache Controls
The previous risk “API10:2019 – Insufficient Cache Controls” has been removed from the OWASP API Security Top 10 2023. Although cache control is still an essential aspect of API security, it has been deprioritized in favor of addressing more pressing security concerns like broken function level authorization. It’s still recommended to implement proper cache control mechanisms to ensure sensitive data is not leaked through caching.
OWASP API Security Top 10 2023 List
1. API1:2023 – Broken Authentication
Authentication mechanisms have evolved, and the OWASP API Security Top 10 2023 emphasizes the importance of multi-factor authentication, rate limiting, and securely storing credentials.
2. API2:2023 – Excessive Data Exposure
The latest version stresses the importance of data filtering and reducing data exposure. Implementing data minimization techniques and ensuring client-side data filtering are crucial for API security.
3. API3:2023 – Injection
This risk highlights the need for securing APIs from various injection attacks, such as SQL, NoSQL, and LDAP injections. Proper Proper validation, input sanitization, and parameterization are essential to prevent these attacks.
4. API4:2023 – Lack of Resources & Rate Limiting
The updated version focuses on enforcing proper rate limiting and resource allocation to prevent API abuse, ensuring availability and performance for all users.
5. API5:2023 – Insufficient Authorization
OWASP has emphasized the need for proper access control mechanisms, such as role-based access control and attribute-based access control, to prevent unauthorized access to API resources.
6. API6:2023 – Security Misconfiguration
This risk highlights the importance of maintaining a secure API configuration, ensuring the correct security settings, and keeping all components up-to-date.
7. API7:2023 – Insecure Communication
The 2023 edition stresses the need for secure communication by encrypting data in transit, using strong encryption algorithms, and implementing certificate pinning.
8. API8:2023 – Improper Assets Management
This risk emphasizes the importance of managing API assets, including inventory, documentation, and versioning, to minimize the attack surface.
9. API9:2023 – Insufficient Logging and Monitoring
The updated version highlights the importance of comprehensive logging and monitoring for detecting and responding to security incidents promptly.
10. API10:2023 – Broken Function Level Authorization
This new addition emphasizes securing API endpoints by ensuring proper access control and authorization mechanisms at the function level.
Conclusion
The OWASP API Security Top 10 2023 brings essential updates and changes to help organizations enhance their API security. By addressing these risks, developers and security professionals can build secure and robust API solutions.
