OWASP API Security Top 10 – Protecting Your Mobile App from Vulnerabilities
APIs, or application programming interfaces, have become an integral part of mobile app development. They allow for communication between different systems and enable the integration of various services and data. However, with the increased use of APIs comes the need for proper security measures to protect sensitive information and prevent vulnerabilities.
The OWASP API Security Top 10 list is a comprehensive guide to the most critical API security risks and vulnerabilities that organizations need to be aware of.
Broken Object-level Authorization: This occurs when an API does not properly restrict access to objects based on the user’s authorization level. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Broken Authentication: This occurs when an API does not properly authenticate users, allowing attackers to access sensitive information or perform actions on behalf of a user.
Excessive Data Exposure: This occurs when an API returns too much sensitive information, making it easier for attackers to access and exploit it.
Lack of Resources and Rate Limiting: This occurs when an API does not properly limit the amount of resources or rate of requests, allowing attackers to overload the system and cause a denial of service.
Broken Function-level Authorization: This occurs when an API does not properly restrict access to functions based on the user’s authorization level. This can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information or the ability to perform actions on behalf of a user.
Mass Assignment: This occurs when an API does not properly validate user input, allowing attackers to manipulate data and access sensitive information.
Security Misconfiguration: This occurs when an API is not properly configured, leaving it vulnerable to attacks and easy to exploit.
Injection: This occurs when an API does not properly validate user input, allowing attackers to inject malicious code and access sensitive information.
Improper Assets Management: This occurs when an API does not properly manage and secure assets, such as keys and certificates, leaving them vulnerable to attack.
Insufficient Logging and Monitoring: This occurs when an API does not properly log and monitor activity, making it difficult to detect and respond to security incidents.
How to Protect Yourself from OWASP API Security Top 10 Risks
Implement Object-level Authorization: Organizations can protect themselves from broken object-level authorization by properly restricting access to objects based on the user’s authorization level.
Implement Authentication: Organizations can protect themselves from broken authentication by properly authenticating users.
Limit Data Exposure: Organizations can protect themselves from excessive data exposure by limiting the amount of sensitive information returned by the API.
Implement Resources and Rate Limiting: Organizations can protect themselves from lack of resources and rate limiting by properly limiting the amount of resources and rate of requests.
Implement Function-level Authorization: Organizations can protect themselves from broken function-level authorization by properly restricting access to functions based on the user’s authorization level.
Validate User Input: Organizations can protect themselves from mass assignment by properly validating user input.
Secure API Configuration: Organizations can protect themselves from security misconfiguration by properly configuring the API.
Implement Input Validation: Organizations can protect themselves from injection by properly validating user input.
Secure Assets: Organizations can protect themselves from improper assets management by properly managing and securing assets.
Implement Logging and Monitoring: Organizations can protect themselves from insufficient logging and monitoring by properly logging and monitoring activity.
By understanding and implementing the OWASP API Security Top 10,
External Security Testing
External API Security Testing is a process of evaluating the security of an API (Application Programming Interface) from an external perspective, simulating an attacker’s point of view. This type of testing aims to identify vulnerabilities and weaknesses in the API that could be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt service availability. The testing typically includes methods such as penetration testing, fuzz testing, and vulnerability scanning to uncover potential security issues. The results of the testing are used to improve the security of the API and to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Internal Security Testing
Internal API Security Testing is a process of evaluating the security of an API from the inside, using various techniques and tools to identify potential vulnerabilities and weaknesses. This type of testing focuses on ensuring that the API is properly protected against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. The testing process typically includes a thorough examination of the API’s architecture, configuration, and codebase, as well as a review of its security controls and protocols. The goal of API Internal Security Testing is to identify and remediate any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malicious actors, and to ensure that the API is secure and reliable for its intended use.
How to Test?
Get in touch and learn about the importance of API security testing and how it can protect your company’s sensitive data. Our expert guide covers the different types of container security testing and best practices to ensure the safety of your containerized applications.
