api-sec-test

name	api-sec-test
description	Conducts security testing of REST, GraphQL, and gRPC APIs to identify vulnerabilities in authentication, authorization, rate limiting, input validation, and business logic. The tester uses the OWASP API Security Top 10 as the testing framework, combining Burp Suite interception with Postman collections and custom scripts to test endpoint security at every privilege level. Activates for requests involving API security testing, REST API pentest, GraphQL security assessment, or API vulnerability testing.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	penetration-testing
tags	["API-security","OWASP-API-Top10","REST","GraphQL","authorization-testing"]
version	1.0.0
author	mahipal
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["ID.RA-01","ID.RA-06","GV.OV-02","DE.AE-07"]

Conducting API Security Testing

When to Use

• Testing API endpoints for authorization flaws, injection vulnerabilities, and business logic bypasses
• Assessing the security of microservices architecture where APIs are the primary communication method
• Validating that API gateway protections (rate limiting, authentication, input validation) are properly enforced
• Testing third-party API integrations for data exposure and insecure configurations
• Evaluating GraphQL APIs for introspection disclosure, query complexity attacks, and authorization bypasses

Do not use against APIs without written authorization, for load testing or denial-of-service testing unless explicitly scoped, or for testing production APIs that process real financial transactions without safeguards.

Prerequisites

• API documentation (OpenAPI/Swagger, GraphQL schema, Postman collection) or application access to reverse-engineer the API
• Burp Suite Professional configured to intercept API traffic with JSON/XML content type handling
• Postman or Insomnia for organizing and replaying API requests across different authentication contexts
• Valid API tokens or credentials at multiple privilege levels (unauthenticated, standard user, admin)
• Target API base URL and version information

Workflow

Step 1: API Discovery and Documentation

Map the complete API attack surface:

• Import API documentation: Load OpenAPI/Swagger specs into Postman or Burp Suite to catalog all endpoints, methods, parameters, and authentication requirements
• Reverse-engineer undocumented APIs: Proxy the mobile app or web frontend through Burp Suite and exercise all features to capture API calls. Export the Burp sitemap as the baseline endpoint inventory.
• GraphQL introspection: Send an introspection query to discover the full schema:

  {"query": "{__schema{types{name,fields{name,args{name,type{name}}}}}}"}
  

• Endpoint enumeration: Fuzz for hidden API versions (/api/v1/, /api/v2/, /api/internal/), debug endpoints (/api/debug, /api/health, /api/metrics), and administrative endpoints
• Document authentication mechanisms: Identify if the API uses API keys, OAuth 2.0 Bearer tokens, JWT, session cookies, or mutual TLS