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API Security Essentials - Academic Structured

This document provides an overview of API security, highlighting common vulnerabilities, best practices for authentication and authorization, and secure design principles. It also discusses tools for testing APIs and includes a case study on API key leakage. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of proper design, validation, and monitoring to ensure API security.

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nivedtest1604
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14 views2 pages

API Security Essentials - Academic Structured

This document provides an overview of API security, highlighting common vulnerabilities, best practices for authentication and authorization, and secure design principles. It also discusses tools for testing APIs and includes a case study on API key leakage. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of proper design, validation, and monitoring to ensure API security.

Uploaded by

nivedtest1604
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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API Security Essentials - Academic

Generated on: 2025-05-04

Abstract
This document outlines the core principles of API security, focusing on vulnerabilities, best practices, and

tools. It aims to serve as a guide for developers and cybersecurity professionals seeking to secure API

endpoints.

1. Introduction to API Security


APIs enable software systems to communicate with each other. Securing APIs is crucial because they often

expose sensitive business logic and data.

2. Common Vulnerabilities
- Broken Object Level Authorization

- Excessive Data Exposure

- Lack of Rate Limiting

- Injection Attacks (SQL, NoSQL)

- Improper Assets Management

3. Authentication & Authorization


Best practices include using OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) for secure access

control.

4. Secure Design Principles


- Validate all inputs

- Enforce content-type and rate limits

- Use HTTPS

- Keep detailed audit logs

5. Tools for Testing


- Postman: Manual API testing

- OWASP ZAP: Automated vulnerability scanning


- Burp Suite: Interception proxy

- Insomnia: REST API client for exploration

6. Case Study: API Key Leakage


In 2023, a researcher found an exposed API key in a mobile banking app's network traffic. The key had full

access to customer accounts. The vulnerability was responsibly disclosed and fixed, with a bounty of $3,000

awarded.

7. Conclusion
APIs are the backbone of modern apps. Proper design, validation, and monitoring are key to keeping them

secure.

References
[1] OWASP API Security Top 10: https://owasp.org/www-project-api-security/

[2] Postman: https://www.postman.com/

[3] Burp Suite: https://portswigger.net/burp

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