API Security Assessment
API Security Assessment
A comprehensive security assessment for a single API application (typically up to 20 endpoints). We provide expert penetration testing for modern REST and GraphQL APIs, as well as legacy SOAP services, to identify critical vulnerabilities that automated scanners miss.
Why API Security is Critical
APIs are the backbone of modern applications, connecting your services, data, and users. They are also a primary target for attackers. A single vulnerability in an API can lead to a catastrophic data breach, allowing attackers to steal entire customer databases, bypass business logic, and gain unauthorised access to sensitive systems.
Our API Testing Methodology
Our methodology is a meticulous, manual process that focuses on the unique and critical vulnerabilities that affect APIs. It is aligned with industry best practices, including the OWASP API Security Top 10.
1. Reconnaissance and Mapping We begin by thoroughly mapping your API's attack surface. This involves identifying all endpoints, understanding the authentication mechanisms (e.g., JWT, OAuth), and analysing the data structures to build a complete picture of the application's logic.
2. Authentication & Authorisation Testing This is the most critical phase of any API test. We rigorously test for authorisation flaws, which are the leading cause of major data breaches. Our testing focuses on:
Broken Object Level Authorisation (BOLA): Can User A access User B's data by manipulating an ID in the request?
Broken Function Level Authorisation (BFLA): Can a standard user access administrative-only functions?
Authentication Flaws: We test for weaknesses in JWT implementation, password reset functions, and other authentication mechanisms.
3. Business Logic & Data Validation Testing We probe how your API processes and handles data, looking for vulnerabilities such as:
Injection Flaws (SQL, NoSQL, Command): Injecting malicious data to compromise backend databases or servers.
Mass Assignment: Exploiting the API to overwrite sensitive data fields that should not be user-modifiable.
Improper Asset Management: Identifying old, unpatched API versions or debug endpoints that expose the system.
4. Reporting & Actionable Guidance Upon completion, you receive a detailed, professionally written report. Each finding is explained in clear terms, demonstrating the potential business impact, and is accompanied by a step-by-step, actionable plan to help your developers remediate the vulnerability effectively.