Common API Security Vulnerabilities

Understanding the most prevalent API security threats is essential for building effective protection strategies. The OWASP API Security Top 10 provides a framework for identifying and addressing critical vulnerabilities.

OWASP API Security Top 10

API1:2023 - Broken Object Level Authorization

• Insufficient validation of object access permissions
• Attackers can access unauthorized data by manipulating object identifiers
• Impact: Data breaches, unauthorized data modification

API2:2023 - Broken Authentication

• Weak authentication mechanisms and session management
• Issues with token validation, password policies, and multi-factor authentication
• Impact: Account takeover, unauthorized access

API3:2023 - Broken Object Property Level Authorization

• Inadequate validation of object property access
• Mass assignment vulnerabilities and excessive data exposure
• Impact: Data leakage, privilege escalation

API4:2023 - Unrestricted Resource Consumption

• Lack of proper rate limiting and resource management
• Vulnerabilities to denial-of-service attacks
• Impact: Service disruption, resource exhaustion

API5:2023 - Broken Function Level Authorization

• Insufficient validation of function-level permissions
• Attackers can access administrative functions
• Impact: Privilege escalation, system compromise

Attack Vectors and Exploitation Methods

Injection Attacks

• SQL injection through API parameters
• NoSQL injection in modern database systems
• Command injection via API inputs
• Cross-site scripting (XSS) in API responses

Business Logic Flaws

• Race conditions in concurrent API requests
• State manipulation vulnerabilities
• Workflow bypass attacks
• Price manipulation in e-commerce APIs