Testing Rest API Security Using OWASP

As an important component of systems interoperability, REST API plays a key role in information exchange. Its protection must be at the highest level. OWASP, an open source project dedicated to web application security, provides many guidelines and tools for security testing. Let's look at the nuances of Rest API security testing using OWASP!

1. REST API Security

REST (Representational State Transfer) is an architectural style used in web services that allows systems to communicate with each other through a standardized interface. API (Application Programming Interface) is a bridge between different programs that allows them to exchange data. Together, they form the REST API, which allows developers to create, read, update and delete data via the HTTP protocol.

REST APIs are subject to certain security risks. Main threats include:

1. Injection Attacks – attacks in which an attacker inserts malicious code into API requests. If the API does not handle these requests correctly, it can lead to unexpected and unwanted consequences.
2. Broken Authentication. If the authentication and session management process in the API is not configured correctly, attackers can use it to gain access to sensitive data.
3. Data Exposure. REST APIs that don’t handle data correctly may produce more information than required, which can lead to data leakage.

2. What is OWASP?

With the constant threat of cyber attacks, digital projects need reliable security tools. One such tool is OWASP, an open source project specifically designed to provide web application security.

OWASP (The Open Web Application Security Project) is an international non-profit organization whose goal is to improve web application security. OWASP materials and resources are available free of charge to all users.

2.1 OWASP Top 10

The OWASP Top 10 is a regularly updated report that identifies the ten most critical web application security threats. This list gives developers the opportunity to understand and focus on the most common and dangerous threats to web applications. Here is the latest OWASP Top 10 2021 list:

• A01:2021-Broken Access Control moves up to the first position as the most critical web application security risk.
• A02:2021 Cryptographic Failures shift up to the second position, focusing on cryptography-related issues that could lead to data leaks or system compromise.
• A03:2021 Injection slides down to the third position. 94% of applications were tested for some form of injection.
• A04:2021 Insecure Design - a new category for 2021, focusing on design-related risks.
• A05:2021 Security Misconfiguration moves up from the sixth position to the fifth.
• A06:2021 Vulnerable and Outdated Components previously known as "Using Components with Known Vulnerabilities".
• A07:2021 Identification and Authentication Failures previously known as "Broken Authentication". They include issues specifically related to identification.
• A08:2021 Software and Data Integrity Failures - a new category for 2021 (software and data integrity-related issues).
• A09:2021 Security Logging and Monitoring Failures previously known as "Insufficient Logging & Monitoring". The category has widened to include more types of failures.
• A10:2021 Server-Side Request Forgery added from Top 10 community survey. The category represents a scenario considered important, even though its significance isn’t confirmed by data at this time.

3. How to test security REST API using OWASP?

REST API security testing using OWASP involves the use of flexible tools that enable effective detection and remediation of vulnerabilities. Here are a few steps you can follow:

1. Install OWASP tools

Start by installing OWASP tools such as ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) or OWASP Dependency Check. These tools provide various mechanisms for security testing, including passive scanning, active scanning, plugins, and automated traffic interception.

2. Set up OWASP tools

After installing the tools, you need to configure them. Specify the target application or API and configure scanning options. For ZAP, for example, you can specify the URL of the target API and specify details such as the HTTP method, headers, and body of the request.

3. Start scanning

The next step is to launch a scan. Depending on the tool, scanning can be passive (gathering information without interacting with the target API) or active (conducting attack tests on the API to identify vulnerabilities).

4. Analysis of results

After the scan is completed, the report will contain information about the vulnerabilities found (For example, SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), or other vulnerabilities related to configuration, authentication, etc.).

5. Eliminate vulnerabilities

Once vulnerabilities have been identified, the next step is to fix them: fixing code, changing configurations or updating components.

6. Retesting

After making changes, repeat the tests to ensure that all vulnerabilities have been successfully addressed.

4. Advantages and Disadvantages of Using OWASP for REST API Testing

OWASP offers many tools and resources that can be helpful when testing REST API security. However, like any tool or technique, OWASP has its advantages and disadvantages.

Benefits of using OWASP

Safety: The OWASP Top 10 provides a comprehensive list of the most common and dangerous security threats, helping developers and testers understand and focus on key areas.

Free: One of the most attractive aspects of OWASP is that all of its tools and guides are available for free.

Openness: OWASP is an open project, which means its tools and guides are constantly updated and improved by the community.

Integration: OWASP tools are easy to integrate into the development process, so they can be used at every stage of the project lifecycle.

Reputation: OWASP is recognized and trusted in the industry. Their methodologies and tools are often used as a standard when conducting security audits.

Training: OWASP offers extensive learning and learning resources that can help those new to cybersecurity quickly increase their level of knowledge.

Proactivity: Using OWASP tools allows organizations to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before they are exploited by attackers.

Disadvantages of Using OWASP

Complexity: Some of the OWASP tools can be difficult to set up and use, especially for those unfamiliar with web application security.

Time: Using OWASP tools can be labor intensive. For example, automated scanning can take a long time, especially for large web applications or APIs.

Focus: OWASP focuses primarily on the top tier of threats (Top 10), and although this list covers the most critical threats, there are other vulnerabilities that may not be included.

The need for constant updating: Because security threats are constantly changing, OWASP tools and techniques require constant updating, which can be difficult for small teams or organizations with limited resources.

Conclusion

In the context of an increase in the number of cyber attacks and threats on the Internet, it is necessary to use reliable tools and resources that help identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

OWASP is one such resource, offering free and continually updated security guides, tools, and standards. It is these resources that allow you to assess the security level of a REST API and identify vulnerabilities, bringing the most important security aspects to the forefront.

OWASP is a valuable tool for auditing REST API security, but its use must be based on an understanding of the project, team capabilities, and specific security requirements.