API Penetration Test

Security Testing

API Penetration Test

API penetration testing is a type of security testing that is performed on application programming interfaces (APIs) to assess their security controls and identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. 

API and web application testing are two different types of security testing that focus on different aspects of an application’s security. Web application penetration testing focuses on testing the web application’s user interface (UI) and its functionality. It involves simulating attacks against the web application to identify vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers. API penetration testing, on the other hand, focuses on testing the backend logic of the servers themselves. It involves analyzing HTTP requests and the data that flows between requests and responses. API penetration testing does not focus as much on vulnerabilities that can manipulate or exploit browser behavior unless the API backend has been implemented into a web application. In this case, the web application and the underlying APIs are tested congruently. 

During an API penetration test, Independent Security Group will simulate a cybersecurity attack on the API endpoints in a controlled environment. The goal of this test is to identify security vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit to gain access to sensitive data or perform other malicious actions. Contact us for more information.

Preparing for an API penetration test

Before performing API penetration testing, it’s essential to prepare adequately to ensure a smooth testing process. Here are some tips to help you prepare for an API penetration test:


Identify the scope of the test: Determine which endpoints and functionalities will be included in the test. Communicate this to the Independent Security Group tester to ensure that the test is focused and covers all critical areas. Defining the scope also allows you to communicate the boundaries of the test to the tester, ensuring that they don’t test anything outside the defined scope.


Provide the necessary information: To test an API, a test harness is required. Use a Postman or SoapUI project file populated with valid endpoint(s) for the penetration test’s target environment, authentication parameters, and valid data for each in-scope call. The test harness should contain all the necessary information and resources that a third-party developer would require to make the API calls.

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