?? Broken Authentication – API2:2023 ??
I'm kicking off a series of articles on API Security ?? to help us—developers ????????—better understand and implement secure coding in our software design. ???
Here is the second one: Broken Authentication
APIs are the backbone of modern applications, but weak authentication mechanisms can expose sensitive data and lead to account takeovers. Broken Authentication ranks #2 in the OWASP API Security Top 10 (API2:2023).
?? What is Broken Authentication?
It occurs when an API fails to properly authenticate users, allowing attackers to:
?? How Does It Happen?
?? Insecure token handling: Attackers steal or reuse expired tokens.
?? Lack of rate limiting: APIs allow unlimited login attempts.
?? Weak password policies: Easily guessable passwords.
?? Flawed session management: Tokens remain valid after logout.
?? Real-World Examples:
? Uber (2022): A hacker accessed an employee's credentials and internal systems.
? PayPal (2023): Credential-stuffing attack exposed thousands of accounts.
??? How to Prevent Broken Authentication?
?? Use strong authentication mechanisms (OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect).
?? Implement Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for added security.
?? Enforce strong password policies (complexity, expiration).
?? Limit login attempts & detect anomalies with rate limiting & monitoring.
?? Secure session management (invalidate tokens after logout, use short-lived JWTs).
?? APIs must be both powerful and secure!
Have you encountered authentication flaws in your projects? Let’s discuss this in the comments! ??
#APISecurity #OWASP #CyberSecurity #Authentication #SecureCoding