API Security
Talk to us now!What is API vulnerability assessment & penetration testing (VAPT)?
API VAPT, or Application Programming Interface Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, is a critical cybersecurity practice designed to ensure the security of your API calls.
When an organization uses an API, it exposes itself to cyber attacks because if APIs are not secure, then they can be compromised easily. A successful attack can result in data theft or even complete destruction of the system or network. Therefore, it is important for organizations to test their APIs regularly and make sure they are not vulnerable to attacks that could lead to data loss and other problems.
Why is API VAPT important?
There are multiple benefits of getting VAPT done for APIs. Some of the most important are listed below.
Data Protection
It safeguards user data from potential breaches and unauthorized access.
Cost Savings
Vulnerabilities like “No rate limit” if exploited can result in huge costs to an organization.
Application Reliability
Secure APIs ensure your applications function smoothly without disruptions.
Business Reputation
Secure APIs build trust with customers, preserving your business's reputation.
Strategic Advantage
API security can help you gain a strategic advantage in the digital world, as customers and partners increasingly demand secure interfaces.
Cyber Threat Mitigation
We can proactively identify vulnerabilities, reducing the risk of cyberattacks.
VAPT Methodology
How do we conduct API VAPT?
API security testing is a process of carefully evaluating API endpoints to identify and remediate vulnerabilities such as fuzzy input, parameter tampering or injection attacks. Acting as the first line of defense, it meticulously examines endpoints to identify and neutralize vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
STEP 1Define the Scope
Define the scope of the assessment, including which APIs will be tested, the testing environment, and specific objectives.
STEP 2Reconnaissance
Gather information about the APIs, such as endpoints, protocols, and communication methods.
STEP 3Threat Modelling
Identify potential attack vectors and threats and vulnerabilities that could affect the APIs and their users.
STEP 4Automated Scanning
Utilize automated tools to scan for common vulnerabilities, including injection, authentication, and authorization issues.
STEP 5Manual Assessment
Perform manual testing to identify vulnerabilities that automated tools may miss, such as logical flaws and business logic issues.
STEP 6Penetration Testing & Exploitation
Simulate real-world attacks attempting to exploit vulnerabilities to understand their impacts and potential risks.
STEP 7Reporting & Recommendations
Provide a detailed report outlining identified vulnerabilities, their impacts along with the necessary remediation steps to be taken.
STEP 8Remediation
Development teams to address vulnerabilities based on the provided recommendations to improve the API security posture.
STEP 9Re-assessment
Conduct a VAPT re-evaluation to ensure that vulnerabilities have been effectively addressed.
STEP 10Final Report
Deliver a final comprehensive report detailing the assessment findings & actions taken.
Some of the tools that we use to perform API VAPT
FAQ’s
Broken authentication, no rate limits, missing input validations, Insecure direct object reference, etc. are some of the commonly found vulnerabilities in API VAPT assignments.
API VAPT specifically targets APIs, ensuring a deep analysis of their security aspects, such as authentication, authorization, and data protection.
Our API VAPT service covers a wide range of APIs, including web APIs, cloud APIs, and more, regardless of the programming language or platform.
There is no fixed duration as such. The duration varies based on the complexity of your APIs. No matter how complex your API's are, we strive to complete the assessment efficiently without disrupting your daily operations.
To get started, simply contact us, and our experts will guide you through the process, tailoring assessments to your business's specific needs and goals.