The way that digital technologies, and therefore businesses have been evolving, it has come to pass that businesses rely on APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to deliver most of their business operations. APIs have streamlined their systems, integrated third-party services, and enhanced customer experiences. However, for all their benefits, if not properly secured, APIs can become a major vulnerability, exposing sensitive data and systems to cyber threats. We’ll explore what APIs are, how businesses use them, and the risks associated with lack of due diligence in securing APIs.
What is an API?
An API is software that acts as a bridge, allowing different applications to communicate and share data with each other. Think of an API as a waiter in a restaurant:
1. you place an order (a request)
2. the waiter (API) takes it to the kitchen (server gets request)
3. [later] waiter brings back your food (response from server).
APIs enable seamless interactions between systems, whether it’s retrieving information from a database, connecting with a payment processor, or integrating with cloud services.
Essentially, they function as messengers that facilitate the exchange of data and functionality between different platforms without the need for direct human intervention.
Types of APIs
RESTful APIs: The most common type, using standard web protocols to request and exchange data.
SOAP APIs: More structured and secure, often used in enterprise environments.
GraphQL APIs: Allow clients to request only the specific data they need, improving efficiency.
Webhooks: Event-driven APIs that trigger actions when specific events occur.
Why do Businesses Use APIs?
Simple! APIs have very good track record of enhancing efficiency and innovation across many business functions:
· E-commerce: APIs connect online stores with payment gateways, inventory management systems, and shipping providers.
· Finance: Banks and fintech companies use APIs for secure transactions, account management, and fraud detection.
· Healthcare: APIs enable interoperability between electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine platforms, and insurance providers.
· Marketing: APIs help businesses automate marketing campaigns, analyze customer data, and integrate with social media platforms.
· Enterprise Solutions: APIs connect CRM systems, ERP software, and cloud storage solutions, improving workflow and collaboration.
The Risks of Unsecured APIs
While APIs offer tremendous benefits, they can introduce significant security risks if not properly protected. As they are programs, both the problem and the solution are in the coding! Some of the most common threats should not be problem with software written with security in mind from the design stage (secure by design). The opposite (insecure by design, for whatever reason) cannot be easily fixed without a major code rewrite.
We all know about vulnerabilities in software, and the inevitability of updates. Quite often those updates are fixes of insecure programming that have been discovered by unselfish people spending hours testing them, and bringing the programming error(s) to the attention of the people using the tainted program. The update has to be out and patched before the hacker gets there first. That’s why a 14-day update window is considered to be a minimum if security is a major concern.
Consequences of unsecured APIs:
The defective coding found by the intrepid expert testers enables exploitation of vulnerabilities in each of the following areas:
· Unauthorized Access: Poorly secured APIs can allow attackers to bypass authentication mechanisms and access sensitive data.
· Data Breaches: Exposed APIs can lead to leaks of customer information, financial records, or intellectual property.
· Injection Attacks: Attackers can exploit input window vulnerabilities through SQL injection or command injection to manipulate API requests and gain control over systems.
· Denial of Service (DoS) Attacks: Malicious actors may overload an API with excessive requests, causing service disruptions.
· Broken Authentication: Weak or misconfigured authentication can enable attackers to impersonate legitimate users.
· Insecure API Endpoints: Without proper security controls, API endpoints can be exploited to extract unauthorized information or disrupt services.
Best Practices for Securing APIs
Even with the best will in the world, programmers make coding errors.
Businesses can wait for the patches to arrive, apply them promptly, and hope that they’ve done their bit. To a large extent, indeed they have. However, “zero day” attacks still occur via vulnerabilities that the hacker discovers first.
What else can the organisation do?
Use Strong Authentication & Authorization: Implement OAuth, API keys, or token-based authentication to control access.
Encrypt Data in Transit and at Rest: Use TLS/SSL encryption to protect data from interception.
Limiting & Throttling requests: Prevent abuse by limiting the number of API requests a user can make within a specific time frame.
Regular Security Testing: Conduct penetration testing and vulnerability assessments to identify weaknesses.
Filter and validate text window inputs to prevent injection attacks.
Monitor & Log API Activity: Keep track of API calls to detect and respond to suspicious activity in real-time.
Implement Zero Trust Principles: Continuously verify every request, assuming no user or system is automatically trusted.
Use Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): Protect APIs from common exploits by filtering malicious traffic.
Use of API Gateways
This is a long list! API gateways are written to provide plugins for a wide range of API interfaces. They help further in protecting against potentially unsecure APIs, but, like other software, even these gateways have been known to have vulnerabilities that will require prompt patching.
Importance of Patching
Patching is the way of the software world. It is written into any software agreement that should (but never is!) read before the software is purchased. It is a pity people aren’t taught about software development cycles (i.e. maintenance) in school. Of course, if you don’t pay for the software, how can you be sure that software is being maintained at all! Always check.
Two Real-World Examples of API Breaches
Facebook (2019): A vulnerability in the API exposed millions of user phone numbers, leading to privacy concerns.
T-Mobile (2021): An unsecured API allowed hackers to access sensitive customer data, including social security numbers.
Conclusion
APIs are essential for modern business operations, but without proper security, they can pose serious threats. By implementing strong authentication, encryption, monitoring, and access controls, businesses can protect their APIs from cyber threats and ensure the safety of their data and systems. Taking API security seriously today can prevent costly breaches and reputational damage in the future.
Do you have API security measures in place for your business? If not, now is the time to start!
Further Reading
What is an API?
What is a RestAPI?
What is SOAP API?
What is GraphQL API?:
What is a WebHook?:
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