API security is more important than ever for businesses. With the proliferation of mobile devices and the rise of the Internet of Things, APIs have become a major attack vector for hackers. According to a recent report from Gartner, API security is now the number one security concern for businesses.
The OWASP API Security Top 10 is a classification of the most common attacks on public APIs. It was created by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a non-profit organization that specializes in improving the security of software.
The OWASP API Security Top 10 is divided into three categories: injection, broken authentication and session management, and insecure communications. Injection flaws, such as SQL injection, occur when untrusted input is inserted into an application’s SQL query. This can allow attackers to modify data, access sensitive information, or even take over the database.
Broken authentication and session management vulnerabilities occur when an application fails to properly authenticate and authorize users. This can allow attackers to gain access to sensitive data or perform actions on behalf of the user.
Insecure communications vulnerabilities, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, occur when data is transmitted over an insecure channel. This can allow attackers to eavesdrop on communications, tamper with data, or impersonate users.
The OWASP API Security Top 10 is a good starting point for businesses that want to improve the security of their APIs. By understanding the most common attacks, businesses can take steps to prevent them.
Injection
SQL Injection
SQL injection is one of the most common attacks on Web applications. It occurs when untrusted input is inserted into an SQL query. This can allow attackers to modify data, access sensitive information, or even take over the database.
Preventing SQL injection requires using prepared statements, or parameterized queries, which separate untrusted input from the SQL query. Prepared statements use placeholder values, which are then filled in with the actual values at runtime. This prevents attacker-controlled input from being included in the SQL query.
Broken Authentication and Session Management
Broken authentication and session management vulnerabilities occur when an application fails to properly authenticate and authorize users. This can allow attackers to gain access to sensitive data or perform actions on behalf of the user.
To prevent broken authentication and session management vulnerabilities, businesses should implement strong authentication and session management controls. Strong authentication uses multiple factors, such as something the user knows (e.g., a password), something the user has (e.g., a token), or something the user is (e.g., a biometric).
Session management controls should be used to limit the amount of time a user can remain logged in, and to prevent session hijacking attacks. Session hijacking occurs when an attacker steals a user’s session ID and uses it to gain access to the account.
Insecure Communications
Insecure communications vulnerabilities, such as man-in-the-middle attacks, occur when data is transmitted over an insecure channel. This can allow attackers to eavesdrop on communications, tamper with data, or impersonate users.
To prevent insecure communications vulnerabilities, businesses should use secure communications protocols, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) or Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). TLS and SSL encrypt data in transit, making it difficult for attackers to eavesdrop on communications.
Additionally, businesses should use digital signatures to verify the integrity of data. Digital signatures use cryptographic algorithms to generate a unique signature for each piece of data. This signature can then be used to verify that the data has not been tampered with.
Conclusion
The OWASP API Security Top 10 is a good starting point for businesses that want to improve the security of their APIs. By understanding the most common attacks, businesses can take steps to prevent them.
