OWASP Top 10 API Security is a list of the most common and critical security risks associated with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). It is published by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the security of software.
The OWASP API security refers to the measures taken to protect APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) from attacks and unauthorized access. APIs allow different software systems to communicate with each other and share data. They provide a way for different software applications to interact with one another and exchange information, making them an essential part of modern software development. However, because APIs allow access to sensitive data and resources, they need to be secure to prevent unauthorized access and misuse.
What is OWASP API Security and Why is It Important?
OWASP Top 10 API Security is a list of the most common and critical security risks associated with APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). It is published by the Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the security of software and mitigate the unique API vulnerabilities.
OWASP API security is important for several reasons:
- Data protection: APIs allow access to sensitive data, such as personal information, financial data, and proprietary business information. Without proper security measures, this data could be accessed and misused by unauthorized parties.
- Integrity: APIs allow different software systems to communicate and exchange information. If an API is compromised, it can result in incorrect or misleading information being transmitted, leading to errors and confusion.
- Performance: API attacks, such as Denial of Service (DoS) attacks, can cause disruptions and slowdowns in the system, resulting in poor performance and a poor user experience.
- Reputation: If an API is not secure and is hacked, it can damage the reputation of the company and lead to a loss of trust from customers and partners.
To ensure API security, it is important to implement measures such as authentication, authorization, and encryption to prevent unauthorized access and protect sensitive data. It is also important to regularly test and monitor APIs to identify and address potential vulnerabilities.
The 3 Pillars of API Security
OWASP top 10 API Security Vulnerabilities Risks
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #1 | Broken Object Level Authorization |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #2 | Broken User Authentication |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #3 | Excessive Data Exposure |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #4 | Lack of resources & rate limiting |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #5 | Broken Function Level Authorization |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #6 | Mass Assignment |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #7 | Security Misconfiguration |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #8 | Injection |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #9 | Improper Asset Management |
| OWASP API Security Vulnerability #10 | Insufficient Logging & Management |
