What this book covers
Chapter 1, Introduction to API Architecture and Security, creates a rock-solid foundation by understanding the fundamental architecture of APIs, their core components, and the essential security principles that underpin them.
Chapter 2, The Evolving API Threat Landscape and Security Considerations, provides a history of APIs, current and future threats to their security, and what the future might hold. You will learn how to analyze and identify common API vulnerabilities by examining real-world cases.
Chapter 3, OWASP API Security Top 10 Explained, explores the critical vulnerabilities identified by the OWASP, how they are exploited, and ways to mitigate them effectively.
Chapter 4, API Attack Strategies and Tactics, provides an overview of the skills and tools used in API testing and attacks. You will learn how to set up a virtual lab for learning and honing your API security expertise. It will also provide a step-by-step guide on installing critical API security tools.
Chapter 5, Exploiting API vulnerabilities, provides an in-depth look into API vulnerability exploitation. You will learn how to carry out injection attacks and exploit various authentication and authorization vulnerabilities. The chapter will also dive into API attack vectors.
Chapter 6, Bypassing API Authentication and Authorization Controls, provides an introduction to API authentication and authorization controls. It also dives deep into various techniques for bypassing these controls, providing practical, step-by-step guidance to help you master each method.
Chapter 7, Attacking API Input Validation and Encryption Techniques, provides an overview of API input validation controls, encryption, and decryption mechanisms. You will learn the importance of these security measures, alongside practical, step-by-step guidance on bypassing them.
Chapter 8, API Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing, offers a comprehensive introduction to API vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. This chapter provides a step-by-step practical guide covering the various phases and techniques involved in API vulnerability assessment and penetration testing. Additionally, you will learn the dos and don’ts of report writing and discover effective mitigation strategies for various vulnerabilities.
Chapter 9, Advanced API Testing: Approaches, Tools and Frameworks, helps you find out more about cutting-edge approaches, tools, and frameworks for in-depth API analysis, ensuring the best security possible.
Chapter 10, Using Evasion Techniques, helps you understand the methods used by attackers to evade security controls and detection mechanisms, and learn how to counteract them.
Chapter 11, Best Practices for Secure API Design and Implementation, shows you how to architect secure APIs by implementing a defense-in-depth approach, integrating strong security measures throughout the entire API life cycle, from design and development to deployment and maintenance.
Chapter 12, Challenges and Considerations for API Security in Large Enterprises, navigates the unique security concerns that arise in complex, large-scale enterprise environments, where APIs play a critical role in business operations.
Chapter 13, Implementing Effective API Governance and Risk Management Initiatives, establishes proactive strategies to implement effective API governance and risk management initiatives, ensuring the ongoing security and integrity of your organization’s API ecosystem.
