API Penetration Testing

Q: How long does an API Penetration Test take?

Almost all of our Penetration Tests take approximately one week for initial testing. Upon notification of critical findings coupled with an executive presentation of initial findings, plus details for remediation, our team will execute a retest at no additional cost to you.

People standing in front of API Penetration Testing

Prevent unauthorized access or data breaches

Our goal is to find gaps before an internal or external hacker does, and report them to strengthen the API and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches across your systems and applications.

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API Penetration Testing Phases

Our Penetration Testers execute a thorough, well thought out project that consists of several phases

Planning and Preparation

Before starting a Web API Security Assessment, a review of the API documentation is performed. The tester meets directly with the client and discusses any specific areas of concern. Rhymetec typically tests against two API keys during an assessment, this provides a balance between coverage and time required to test the API.

Discovery

Discovery of different parameters and options available to the API Endpoints are reviewed. Additional methods are tested to verify undocumented functions exists that could bypass access controls. Brute forcing of paths is performed to find additional undocumented routes.

Penetration Attempt and Exploitation

Both automated and manual testing are performed to determine weakness in the API. The OWASP API Top 10 is used as a guide for the tester to discover and exploit vulnerabilities in the system. Additionally, general system weaknesses are reviewed and best practices authentication such as tokens is performed.

Analysis and Reporting

The tester will input findings into the internal documentation system as the test progresses. Examples of exploits and weaknesses are presented in a standardized report that include details about findings and how to remediate them. The report is created with both an executive summary for C-Level staff and detailed findings areas where developers can take action on findings.

Retest

Included in your Web API Security Assessment is a retesting window that allows you to work on findings you feel should be remediated soon. The tester will work with you if any questions arise regarding the original finding and retest the original findings requested. At the end of the retesting window, a new report is created with updated progress.

Benefits:

API penetration testing validates the security of your methods and corresponding data
Proactively identify vulnerabilities and attack vectors within systems and web applications that could be leveraged by adversaries
We work to ensure the functionality of the business logic remains intact
Data is safely transferred from web applications or mobile applications to other systems or databases
Building regular web API updates and frequent testing into your workflow will help ensure a dependable performance and prevent the build-up of costly remediation
APIs are ideal targets for attackers due to their in depth documentation

Deliverables

You will receive a report outlining overall posture, and recommendations if any deficiencies are found. The assessment results include:

Kick off call with team
Final and Executive Summary
Immediate notification of critical findings
Detailed Findings and Remediation
Executive Presentation of initial findings
Retesting of initial findings
A final report with updated findings

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Why is an API Penetration Test important?

Poorly secured APIs allow attackers to exploit not only the API itself, but any and every application associated with it. Our goal is to find gaps before an internal or external hacker does, and report them to strengthen the API and prevent unauthorized access or data breaches across your systems and applications.

How long does an API Penetration Test take?

Almost all of our API Penetration Tests take approximately one week for initial testing. Upon notification of critical findings coupled with an executive presentation of initial findings, plus details for remediation, our team will execute a retest at no additional cost to you.

What does an API Penetration Test entail?

For each type of API endpoint, our security experts will fully review any documentation and examine all the requests, headers, and parameters. We will also consider your industry and gather additional information about infrastructure and the full software stack. While malicious actors can determine these details with enough time and energy, we request this level of detailed information specific about your environment because the more we know about your API methods, the better value we can give you on your API security testing engagement.

What is an API?

An API (Application Programming Interface) is a data exchange used by web applications to transfer information between systems. APIs are used by programmers in mobile applications and web applications.

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Testimonials

What Our Clients Are Saying About Us

“The testing was very thorough and complete. Communication and feedback afterwards was easy to understand and very fast. We were able to quickly identify and fix all of the issues that were brought up and the team was able to verify the fixes without issue.”

Graphium Health Senior Application Architect

“The team at Rhymetec was incredibly easy to work with from start to finish. They were able to accommodate our extended Penetration Testing schedule for remediation and retesting. And the ability to communicate directly with the testers via Slack was a time saver and enormously helpful.”

Fond Technologies, Inc. Principal Software Architect

API PenetrationTesting