?? Broken Function Level Authorization – API5:2023 ??
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 fifth one: Broken Function Level Authorization
APIs expose functions that allow users to interact with systems. But what happens when authorization controls are weak? Attackers can exploit APIs to access admin functions, modify data, or escalate privileges beyond what they should have. ??
?? What is Broken Function Level Authorization?
This vulnerability occurs when APIs fail to properly enforce role-based access controls (RBAC), allowing users to:
?? How Does It Happen?
?? Inconsistent authorization checks – Some endpoints enforce RBAC, others don’t.
?? Predictable URL patterns – Example: /admin/deleteUser is accessible with a simple role change.
?? Client-side role enforcement – Attackers modify requests to bypass UI restrictions.
?? Missing privilege separation – Regular users can access high-privilege functions.
?? Real-World Risks:
? Data exposure – Unauthorized access to sensitive information ??
? Privilege escalation – Attackers gain admin capabilities ??
? Business logic abuse – Users modify data without permission ??
??? How to Prevent It?
?? Enforce RBAC & ABAC ?? – Implement strict role-based access at every level.
?? Deny by default ? – Restrict access unless explicitly permitted.
?? Perform server-side authorization checks ??? – Never trust client-side roles.
?? Use least privilege principle ?? – Users should only access what they need.
?? Monitor API access logs ?? – Detect and block unauthorized access attempts.
?? APIs should respect user roles, not just assume them!
#APISecurity #OWASP #CyberSecurity #RBAC #SecureCoding #Authorization