api-fuzzing

name	api-fuzzing
description	Discover and fuzz API endpoints, methods, params, and versions systematically. Load when you have an API base but not its full surface, an OpenAPI/Swagger/Postman spec, or "map/fuzz the API". Signals: /api, /v1, swagger.json, GraphQL, mobile backend, undocumented routes.
domain	api
type	technique
stability	learning
modes	["bugbounty"]
severity	info
owasp_api	["API9:2023-Improper-Inventory-Management"]
cwe	["CWE-1059"]
tools	["ffuf","kiterunner","arjun","burp"]
schema_version	1

API discovery & fuzzing

When it applies

You need the API's real surface before attacking it: hidden endpoints, accepted methods, extra params, and old versions. Complete inventory is where BOLA/mass-assignment/auth bugs surface.

Why it works

APIs expose far more than the client uses; specs, JS, and mobile apps reveal routes, and version drift leaves un-patched endpoints. Enumerating the surface turns guesswork into targeted testing.

Method

1. Harvest from specs/clients: OpenAPI/Swagger (swagger.json, /api-docs), Postman collections, GraphQL introspection, and endpoints in JS bundles / mobile apps.
2. Route brute: kiterunner (API-aware wordlists incl. methods) or ffuf against /api/FUZZ, /v{1,2,3}/; try each with GET/POST/PUT/PATCH/DELETE — method matters.
3. Param discovery: arjun/Burp param miner per endpoint to find hidden inputs (feed mass-assignment, injection, IDOR tests).
4. Version & shadow: enumerate /v1../v3, /internal, /beta; compare behaviour/auth across versions.
5. Feed the results into api-bola, api-mass-assignment, api-auth-attacks, injection.

Gotchas

• Respect rate limits and scope — API fuzzing is noisy; throttle and stay on in-scope hosts.
• A route that 401s still counts — note it for auth testing; 404 vs 401 vs 403 map the surface.
• Method-fuzzing finds actions the client never issues (hidden admin verbs).

Verify success

A materially larger, documented endpoint/param inventory (with methods/versions) ready for vuln-class testing — including routes not in the official docs.

References

OWASP API Security (API9); kiterunner; PortSwigger API testing guide.