Polymorphism in APIs

Polymorphism refers to the ability of a single entity, such as a function, method, or object, to take on different forms. In polymorphism, the same name or interface can represent different behaviors, allowing flexibility and adaptability in the execution of code. In the context of API security, polymorphism is leveraged as an evasive technique to dynamically change the appearance and behavior of API requests or responses, making it challenging for security controls to establish fixed patterns for detection.

API polymorphism involves altering the structure, parameters, or content of API requests and responses dynamically. Attackers use this technique to generate varied permutations of the same attack payload, making it difficult for signature-based detection systems to recognize a consistent pattern. By constantly changing the appearance of malicious requests, polymorphic APIs aim to evade static analysis and signature-based security measures, enhancing their...