API Security: The Overlooked Gateway to Your Data

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are the engine of digital transformation, allowing applications to talk to each other. However, they are also a massive attack surface. Gartner predicts that API abuses will become the most frequent attack vector.

The OWASP API Security Top 10

The most common API vulnerabilities include:

• Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA): Attackers manipulating IDs in the API call (e.g., /user/123 to /user/456) to access other users' data.
• Broken User Authentication: Weak authentication mechanisms allowing credential stuffing or token theft.
• Excessive Data Exposure: The API returns more data than the UI needs (e.g., returning a full user object including PII, relying on the frontend to filter it).

Methodology: Securing APIs

1. Inventory and Documentation

You can't secure what you don't know. Maintain an up-to-date inventory of all APIs (including "Zombie" APIs that are deprecated but still running). Use OpenAPI/Swagger specifications.

2. Strong Authentication and Authorization

Use industry standards like OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect (OIDC). Implement strict authorization checks at the object level (BOLA protection) for every single request.

3. Rate Limiting and Throttling

Prevent DoS attacks and brute-force attempts by implementing rate limits (e.g., 100 requests per minute per IP). Use adaptive throttling for suspicious behavior.

4. Input Validation

Treat all input as malicious. Validate and sanitize all parameters to prevent injection attacks (SQLi, XSS, Command Injection).