How to Secure Your Mobile App APIs with Best Practices and Tools

APIs are the building blocks of modern mobile applications. They enable communication and data exchange between different components, platforms, and services. However, APIs also pose significant security risks if they are not properly designed, implemented, and protected. In today's newsletter edition, we will explore what API security is, why it is important for mobile apps, and how to achieve it with best practices and tools.?

What is API Security?

API security is the process of ensuring that only authorized and legitimate requests can access and manipulate the data and resources exposed by APIs. API security covers various aspects, such as:?

1. Authentication

Verifying the identity of the requestor

2. Authorization

Granting or denying access based on permissions and roles

3. Validation

Checking the input and output data for correctness and completeness

4. Encryption

Protecting the data in transit and at rest from eavesdropping and tampering

5. Monitoring

Logging and analyzing the API traffic for anomalies and threats

6. Throttling

Limiting the number of requests per time interval to prevent overloading and abuse

API security is not only a network security issue, but also a coding and design issue. APIs should be developed with security in mind from the start, following secure coding principles and best practices.?

Why is API Security Important for Mobile Apps?

Mobile apps rely heavily on APIs to provide functionality, user experience, and integration with other services. However, mobile apps also face unique challenges when it comes to API security, such as:?

1. Mobile devices are more vulnerable to theft, loss, or compromise than desktops or servers

2. Mobile networks are less reliable and secure than wired or Wi-Fi networks

3. Mobile apps are easier to reverse-engineer and tamper with than web apps

4. Mobile app users are more likely to grant permissions and access to sensitive data without understanding the implications

These challenges make mobile app APIs more attractive and accessible targets for attackers who want to steal data, disrupt services, or perform fraudulent transactions. According to a report by Noname Security1, 76% of respondents suffered an API security incident between Sept. 2021 and Sept. 2022.?Some examples of API security breaches affecting mobile apps are:?

1. In 2021, Coinbase disclosed that a hacker exploited a flaw in its SMS-based two-factor authentication (2FA) system to access users’ accounts and steal cryptocurrency?

2. In 2020, Experian exposed the personal data of millions of South Africans through an unsecured API that allowed anyone to query its database with an ID number

3. In 2019, John Deere’s mobile app leaked farmers’ data through an unprotected API that exposed information such as location, crop yield, and fuel consumption?

4. In 2018, Peloton’s mobile app exposed users’ personal data through an insecure API that allowed anyone to access information such as name, age, gender, weight, workout history, and instructor feedback?

These incidents show that API security is crucial for mobile apps to protect their users’ privacy, trust, and assets.?

How to Achieve API Security for Mobile Apps??

API security for mobile apps requires a combination of best practices and tools that cover the entire API lifecycle: design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance. Here are some of the key steps to follow:?

Design Secure APIs

The first step to achieve API security is to design secure APIs that follow industry standards and best practices. Some of the design aspects to consider are:?

1. Use HTTPS for all API communication

2. Use secure authentication methods such as OAuth 2.0 or OpenID Connect

3. Use secure authorization methods such as role-based access control (RBAC) or attribute-based access control (ABAC)

4. Use secure data formats such as JSON or XML with proper schema validation

5. Use secure encryption methods such as AES or RSA with adequate key management

6. Use secure hashing methods such as SHA-256 or SHA-512 with salt and pepper

7. Use secure error handling methods that do not reveal sensitive information or internal details

8. Use secure versioning methods that allow backward compatibility and graceful deprecation

Develop Secure APIs

The second step to achieve API security is to develop secure APIs that follow secure coding principles and best practices. Some of the development aspects to consider are:?

1. Use a secure development framework such as OWASP ASVS or OWASP MASVS5 that provides guidelines and checklists for building secure APIs

2. Use a secure development environment that supports code analysis, testing, debugging, and auditing tools

3. Use a secure development methodology such as agile or DevSecOps that incorporates security into every stage of the development process

4. Use a secure development team that has adequate skills, training, and awareness on API security

Test Secure APIs

The third step to achieve API security is to test secure APIs that verify their functionality, performance, and security. Some of the testing aspects to consider are:?

1. Use a comprehensive testing strategy that covers unit testing, integration testing, functional testing, load testing, and penetration testing

2. Use a comprehensive testing toolset that supports various types of testing such as REST Assured, Postman, SoapUI, JMeter, Burp Suite, Nmap, and ZAP

3. Use a comprehensive testing coverage that checks for various types of vulnerabilities such as injection, broken authentication, broken authorization, sensitive data exposure, XML external entities (XXE), broken access control, security misconfiguration, cross-site scripting (XSS), insecure deserialization, using components with known vulnerabilities, insufficient logging and monitoring, and improper asset management

Deploy Secure APIs

The fourth step to achieve API security is to deploy secure APIs that ensure their availability, reliability, and scalability. Some of the deployment aspects to consider are:?

1. Use a secure deployment platform that supports encryption, authentication, authorization, validation, monitoring, and throttling features such as AWS API Gateway, Azure API Management, Google Cloud Endpoints, or Apigee

2. Use a secure deployment configuration that follows the principle of least privilege, the principle of defense in depth, and the principle of fail-safe defaults

3. Use a secure deployment process that follows change management, release management, and incident management best practices

Maintain Secure APIs

The fifth step to achieve API security is to maintain secure APIs that ensure their continuous improvement, update, and protection. Some of the maintenance aspects to consider are:?

1. Use a secure maintenance strategy that follows patch management, vulnerability management, and risk management best practices

2. Use a secure maintenance toolset that supports scanning, auditing, reporting, and remediation features such as Qualys, Tenable, Rapid7, or Appknox2

3. Use a secure maintenance team that has adequate skills, training, and awareness on API security

Conclusion

API security for mobile apps is a vital aspect of modern application development. It requires a holistic approach that covers the entire API lifecycle from design to maintenance. By following the best practices and tools discussed in this blog post, you can achieve API security for your mobile apps and protect your users’ data and resources from malicious attacks.

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