API Security
Testing
Checklist with Open Source
Tools and Usage Guides
Introduction CyberRisk
Cyber Risk
APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) are essential for creating
interactive experiences on web, mobile, and cloud services. However,
their widespread usage makes them a prime target for attacks. This
checklist provides a comprehensive approach to API security testing
using open-source tools, ensuring that APIs are robust against
unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats.
Security Testing Checklist
1. Authentication and Authorization Testing
Tool: OAuth2-Proxy
Description: Tests the implementation of OAuth2 flows and access
token validation.
Guide: Configure OAuth2-Proxy to simulate authentication requests
to your API. Verify that only valid and authorized requests access API
endpoints.
Checks:
Ensure that all endpoints require authentication.
Test for weak password policies.
Verify that tokens are invalidated after logout.
2. Session Management Testing
Tool: Burp Suite
Description: Examines session management and token handling.
Guide: Use Burp Suite to intercept API requests and responses to
analyze how sessions are managed. Look for session tokens that do
not expire or tokens that aren't bound to IP addresses.
Checks: CyberRisk
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Cyber
Check for session fixation vulnerabilities.
Test session timeout and expiration policies.
Analyze token generation mechanisms for predictability.
4. Configuration and Deployment Management Testing
Tool: Nmap
Description: Identifies open ports and the services running behind
them.
Guide: Use Nmap to scan your API server’s ports before deployment.
This helps in identifying unnecessarily open ports which should be
closed to reduce potential attack vectors.
Checks:
Ensure default configurations are changed.
Review and optimize HTTP headers for security.
Check for secure data transmission policies.
5. Data Encryption
Tool: Wireshark
Description: Network protocol analyzer that lets you capture and
interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network.
Guide: Capture the data packets sent and received by the API using
Wireshark. Analyze these packets to ensure data is encrypted in
transit.
Checks:
Verify that data is encrypted using strong protocols (TLS 1.2+).
Check for weak encryption algorithms.
Ensure encryption is enforced on all sensitive data exchanges.
6. Business Logic Testing CyberRisk
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Cyber
Tool: BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework)
Description: Focuses on the web browser and exploits its
vulnerabilities.
Guide: Use BeEF in conjunction with your API tests to identify and
exploit business logic flaws that can be triggered through the
browser.
Checks:
Test rate limiting to prevent abuse.
Check for flaws in multi-step processes (e.g., transaction
processes, user registration).
Ensure that all endpoints enforce proper logic checks.
7. Error Handling and Logging
Tool: ELK Stack (Elasticsearch, Logstash, Kibana)
Description: Analyzes logs and system events for signs of tampering
or malicious activity.
Guide: Implement ELK Stack to collect and analyze API logs. Monitor
the logs for error codes and messages that could leak information or
indicate misconfigurations.
Checks:
Ensure error messages do not disclose sensitive information.
Verify that logging does not store sensitive data.
Check for adequate logging of critical actions and errors.
Conclusion CyberRisk
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Cyber
Securing APIs requires thorough testing across multiple security
domains. By following this checklist and utilizing the suggested open-
source tools, developers and security professionals can identify and
mitigate vulnerabilities effectively. Continuous monitoring and testing,
alongside staying updated with security best practices and patches, are
key to maintaining the security integrity of APIs.
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