If you’re running a business, it’s important to make sure that your data is safe. One way to assess the security of an API is by performing penetration testing. But what is API penetration testing, why do you need it and which tools are the best for you you use? Here, in the following article, we’ll discuss all of this in greater detail.
We’ll start with a definition of API penetration testing, and then move on to the importance of protecting your data. Next, we’ll take a look at some of the best API penetration testing tools on the market.
What Does API Penetration Testing Mean?
API security testing is the process of examining Application Programming Interfaces to make sure they are secure from vulnerabilities. You can test manually or through automation, but automated API security tools usually help you work faster and more accurately.
API security refers to the process of ensuring your API calls and endpoints are protected from potential attackers, as well as building APIs that are more resistant to general security risks.
API Penetration Testing: Why do You Need It?
API penetration testing is vital because it can locate weaknesses in your system before they are taken advantage of. By finding and fixing these vulnerabilities, you can prevent data breaches, identity theft, and other types of attacks.
In addition to preventing attacks, API penetration testing can also help you improve the overall security of your system. By identifying weaknesses in your API design or implementation, you can make changes that will make it more difficult for attackers to exploit those weaknesses.
Best API Penetration Testing Tools on the Market
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is API penetration testing,” let’s take a look at some of the best tools on the market.
- Astra Security
- Postman
- Assertible
- Katalon Studio
API Penetration Testing Step-by-Step Process
Now that we’ve looked at the definition of API penetration testing and some of the best tools on the market, let’s discuss how to actually perform API penetration testing. Here is a step-by-step process:
Test for API Input Fuzzing
Fuzzing the API refers to feeding the API random data and observing anything unusual in the output. This could be information, an error message, or any other thing that would suggest the API processed that specific data.
Examine for API Injection Attacks
- SQL Injection
SQL injection, which is the use of a SQL statement to execute arbitrary commands or alter data, and parameter tampering are the most frequent injections. By injecting malicious code into an API that employs SQL databases, hackers can gain access to sensitive data or run unapproved commands on the database.
- XML Injection
Another type of injection attack is XML Injection, in which the attacker tries to get access to or modify crucial data kept in XML files. This targets APIs that use XML to store and process data.
- Command Injection
By using different types of operating system commands, you can send API input to another location. Keep in mind that these instructions will only run as they should if you have a corresponding Operating System installed; for example, Linux users can type “rm /” to eliminate an entire root directory while Windows users would need to enter other command sets.
Test for Parameter Tampering
API request values are often easily manipulated. For example, an attacker might change the price of a product to $0.00, essentially allowing them to get the product for free.
Test for Unhandled HTTP Methods
Web apps that are API-enabled frequently employ a variety of HTTP methods. These HTTP operations are used for saving, deleting, and obtaining data. A failure to load a particular API function implies that unless the server is up and running, it will not be accessible.
You can test your API endpoint for authentication vulnerabilities by making a HEAD request. You can send HEAD requests using various methods.
Looking at the Best API Penetration Testing Tools in Depth
Astra’s pentest
Astra Pentest is a popular API penetration testing solution that can execute 3000 tests to identify flaws in APIs. Astra Pentest has the following outstanding features:
- Comprehensive Vulnerability Scanning: Astra’s comprehensive vulnerability scanner can identify security flaws based on publicly available CVEs, the OWASP Top 10, and other widely accepted criteria. The newer ones include Intel Vulnerability Manager (Intel VAM)
- Regular Penetration tests: The Astra Pentest API testing solution helps organizations keep their APIs safe from vulnerabilities by regularly testing for them and quickly fixing any that are found. This way, confidential data is less likely to be stolen or manipulated by a malicious attacker.
- Rescanning: Rescanning is a standout service available through Astra Pentest, which offers another scan to ensure that no new flaws have appeared as a result of the fixes implemented throughout an API test and vulnerability repair.
- Pentest Certificate: After the rescan is finished and any new bugs if any have been discovered, Astra Pentest delivers a publicly verifiable certificate to its clients confirming that the test has been completed successfully. This certificate may improve your company’s reputation and attract more customers.
- Zero False Positives: The team of expert pentesters at Astra Security guarantees zero false positives in vulnerability detection. We thoroughly vet all automated pentest results to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Postman
Postman is a popular tool for creating and testing APIs, with over 17 million users at 500,000 businesses. It’s been around as a browser plugin since 2013 and has evolved into a SaaS platform or a desktop program compatible with Windows, Linux, and macOS.
API requests and examples can be organized, grouped, reused, and shared in Postman collections. This enables collaboration between users, automated testing of the API, and request chaining. Monitors can be attached to the collection so that they run automated tests as frequently as every five minutes. These monitors will alert users if there are potential problems with the API.
Assertible
Assertible is a powerful and easy-to-use assertion tool that allows you to test your API‘s various features with no code. Assertions can be as simple or complex as you need them to be, from automated tests to custom checks. Turnkey assertions may also be used for things like JSON schema validation and data integrity checks, thanks to the JSONPath language construct.
It works with a number of development and communication tools, including GitHub, Slack, PagerDuty, and Zapier, as well as continuous integration and delivery platforms. Test variables may be collected via setup steps in which HTTP requests are chained together to allow for more complicated testing conditions.
Katalon Studio
Katalon Studio isn’t your typical test automation tool. Not only may it automate APIs, web, mobile and desktop apps on Windows, Linux, and macOS; it also does so on all three operating systems! This makes Katalon Studio one of the most popular and versatile test tools in recent years. With specific support for SOAP and REST requests as well as cross-platform compatibility, data-driven testing has never been easier to execute with commands that read from multiple data sources simultaneously.
Conclusion
Any organization that exposes its APIs to the public should critically penetration test its API for security measures. By regularly testing for vulnerabilities and quickly fixing any that are found, companies can minimize the risk of confidential data being stolen or manipulated by a malicious attacker. There are a number of different tools available on the market for API penetration testing, each with its own unique features and advantages.