Checklist Endpoint Security Analysis: Conduct a detailed analysis of each API endpoint against common and uncommon security vulnerabilities. This includes testing for HTTP method vulnerabilities, parameter tampering, and injection attacks. (Tools: Burp Suite, Postman, OWASP ZAP; Example command: POST /api/v1/update HTTP/1.1 Host: example.com Content-Type: application/json {"data": "test' OR '1'='1"}) Advanced Authentication Testing: Examine the robustness of authentication tokens and mechanisms (OAuth, JWT, API keys) against extraction and misuse. (Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP; Techniques: Test for weak JWT implementation by altering the signature algorithm to 'none' to see if the server accepts unsigned tokens, Example command: curl -H "Authorization: Bearer eyJhbGciOiJub25lIn0...{}") Encryption Standards Compliance: Ensure all data transmissions are encrypted using up-to-date standards (TLS 1.2+, no deprecated ciphers). (Tools: SSL Labs, OpenSSL; Example command: openssl s_client -connect example.com:443 -tls1_2) API Gateway Testing: Test API gateways for security misconfigurations, proper routing, and attack protection measures. (Tools: AWS API Gateway, Azure API Management; Example command: aws apigateway get-resources --region us-east-1) Rate Limiting and Throttling Exams: Assess the effectiveness of rate limiting and throttling to prevent denial of service attacks. (Tools: Burp Suite Intruder, custom scripts; Example command: Script to send rapid requests to test rate limiting) Data Validation Protocols: Verify that all inputs are properly validated, including headers, cookies, query parameters, and post data. (Tools: Burp Suite, custom validation scripts; Example command: Test with unexpected data types and special characters) Business Logic Flaw Identification: Identify and exploit business logic flaws that could allow unauthorized actions. (Tools: Manual testing, Burp Suite; Example command: Alter the sequence of API calls to bypass workflow restrictions) Dependency and Third-Party Checks: Evaluate all third-party services and libraries for vulnerabilities that may affect the API. (Tools: OWASP Dependency Check, Retire.js; Example command: retire --path /path/to/code/) Regulatory Compliance Audit: Conduct compliance checks to ensure the API meets all applicable legal and regulatory requirements, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or CCPA. (Tools: Manual review, compliance checklists; Example command: Review access logs and data handling procedures for compliance) Performance Optimization: Perform stress and load tests to optimize API performance under high traffic conditions. (Tools: Apache JMeter, LoadRunner; Example command: jmeter -n -t test_plan.jmx) API Documentation Scrutiny: Review the API documentation for accuracy, completeness, and to ensure it does not inadvertently reveal sensitive information. (Tools: Manual review; Example command: Manually compare documented endpoints with actual API behavior) Security Header Implementation: Check for the presence and correct configuration of security headers to prevent common attacks like XSS and clickjacking. (Tools: SecurityHeaders.io, Burp Suite; Example command: curl -I https://example.com) Headers Inspection: Verify correct implementation of HTTP headers, focusing on security headers like CSP, HSTS, and X-Frame-Options. (Tools: Burp Suite, SecurityHeaders.io; Example command: curl -I https://example.com) API Fuzzing: Employ fuzzing techniques to identify unexpected API behavior and potential crash points. (Tools: AFL, Burp Suite Intruder; Example command: Configure AFL for API endpoint fuzzing) OWASP Top 10 Evaluation: Test the API against the OWASP Top 10 Web Application Security Risks to identify common vulnerabilities. (Tools: OWASP ZAP, manual testing; Example command: Use ZAP to automatically scan and report vulnerabilities) Content-Type Checks: Ensure that all endpoints properly validate the Content-Type of incoming requests to prevent content-type confusion attacks. (Tools: Burp Suite, custom scripts; Example command: Send requests with mismatching Content-Type headers) CORS Policies Audit: Review and test CORS settings to prevent unauthorized cross-origin requests. (Tools: Burp Suite, CORS Plugin; Example command: Test with crafted CORS requests from different origins) API Caching Mechanisms: Test caching mechanisms to ensure sensitive data is not stored or leaked via cache. (Tools: Web cache poisoning tools, manual testing; Example command: Test cache headers and behavior with repeated requests) JSON Web Token (JWT) Security: Analyze the security of JWT usage in authentication processes for flaws like none algorithm usage and keys leakage. (Tools: JWT.io, Burp Suite; Example command: Decode JWT on jwt.io to inspect headers and payloads) OAuth Flows Verification: Test OAuth flows for misconfigurations and vulnerabilities like redirection hijacks. (Tools: Burp Suite, manual testing; Example command: Manipulate redirect URIs in OAuth login flows) XML External Entities (XXE) Prevention: Test for XXE vulnerabilities particularly if XML inputs are accepted. (Tools: Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP; Example command: Send XML data containing a DTD to test for XXE) Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF) Testing: Check for SSRF vulnerabilities that could allow internal systems to be accessed. (Tools: Burp Suite, custom scripts; Example command: Craft requests from the server to internal resources) HTTP Desync Attacks: Perform tests for HTTP request smuggling/desync to expose potential vulnerabilities in handling of HTTP requests. (Tools: Burp Suite, HTTP Request Smuggler; Example command: Use HTTP Request Smuggler to attempt desynchronizing HTTP requests) File Upload Security: Validate security measures for file uploads to prevent uploading of malicious files. (Tools: Burp Suite, VirusTotal; Example command: Upload a file with double extensions to test server filtering) API Abuse Case Testing: Develop and test abuse cases for the API to ensure robustness against misuse. (Tools: Custom scripts, Burp Suite; Example command: Test unexpected API usage patterns to identify potential abuse scenarios) Rate Limit Bypass Tests: Attempt to bypass rate limiting mechanisms to test their effectiveness. (Tools: Burp Suite Intruder, custom scripts; Example command: Use multiple IPs to circumvent IP-based rate limits) IP Blacklisting and Whitelisting: Test IP filtering mechanisms for effectiveness and bypass. (Tools: VPNs, Tor, custom scripts; Example command: Access API from both blacklisted and whitelisted IPs to test enforcement) WebSocket Security Testing: Examine WebSockets for vulnerabilities, particularly in APIs providing real-time data feeds. (Tools: OWASP ZAP, WebSocket testing tools; Example command: Intercept WebSocket communication to test for data leakage) Mobile API Security Testing: Focus on APIs used by mobile applications for specific mobile-related security issues. (Tools: OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide, Burp Suite; Example command: Test API endpoints used by mobile apps for specific vulnerabilities like improper session handling) Multi-factor Authentication Testing: Test the implementation of MFA to ensure it cannot be bypassed or compromised. (Tools: Burp Suite, custom scripts; Example command: Attempt to access resources that require MFA without providing secondary verification) Automated Threat Detection: Implement and test automated threat detection systems to identify and respond to attacks in real-time. (Tools: ELK Stack, Splunk, AI-based detection systems; Example command: Set up alerts for unusual API traffic patterns) Cloud-Specific Security Tests: Conduct tests specific to cloud environments where the API is hosted, including AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud specific vulnerabilities. (Tools: Cloud-specific security tools, manual testing; Example command: Use cloud provider's tools to audit security settings and logs)