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API Endpoint Security Checklist

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rayjoneske
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24 views

API Endpoint Security Checklist

Uploaded by

rayjoneske
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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API Endpoint Security

Checklist
Prepared by HANIM EKEN

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken
1. Authentication

 Use Strong Authentication Mechanisms: Implement strong methods like OAuth 2.0
or OpenID Connect.
 Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Add a second layer of security for
accessing the API.
 Avoid API Keys in URLs: Always use headers for sensitive data transmission.
 Use Short-Lived Tokens: Employ short-lived tokens like JWT with expiration times.

2. Authorization

 Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Limit access based on the user’s role.
 Verify Permissions for Every API Call: Ensure proper authorization for each
resource.
 Avoid Over-Permissive Roles: Assign minimum permissions required for each role.

3. Data Validation & Sanitization

 Validate All Input Data: Ensure the data conforms to the expected format (e.g.,
length, type).
 Sanitize Inputs to Prevent Injection Attacks: Protect against SQL injection and
other code injection vulnerabilities.
 Use Whitelists for Allowed Values: Reject anything outside predefined allowed
values.

4. Rate Limiting and Throttling

 Implement Rate Limiting: Prevent abuse by limiting the number of API requests
allowed per user/IP.
 Set Quotas for API Usage: Define usage quotas to prevent DoS attacks.
 Implement Throttling: Temporarily block excessive traffic to prevent overloading.

5. Encryption

 Enforce HTTPS: Ensure all data transmitted over the API is encrypted using
TLS/SSL.
 Encrypt Sensitive Data in Transit: Protect personal data, credentials, or tokens
during transmission.
 Encrypt Sensitive Data at Rest: Encrypt sensitive stored data like API keys,
passwords, or PII.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken
6. Logging and Monitoring

 Log All API Requests and Responses: Capture information such as user activity,
timestamps, and API usage patterns.
 Monitor Suspicious Activity: Look for abnormal behavior such as brute-force
attacks or large bursts of traffic.
 Enable Auditing: Set up audit logs to track who accessed what and when.

7. Secure API Endpoints

 Limit Public Exposure: Avoid exposing sensitive API endpoints to the public.
 Use API Gateways: Centralize security measures such as authentication, rate
limiting, and IP whitelisting.
 Disable Unused Endpoints: Remove or deactivate endpoints that are no longer in
use.
 Avoid Verbose Error Messages: Return minimal error information to avoid
disclosing sensitive details.

8. CORS (Cross-Origin Resource Sharing)

 Configure CORS Properly: Ensure you allow only trusted domains to access your
APIs.
 Avoid Wide Open CORS Policies: Limit cross-origin requests by setting precise
origins.

9. Secure Session Management

 Use Secure Cookies: Ensure the secure and HttpOnly flags are set for cookies.
 Regenerate Tokens on Logout: Invalidate session tokens when users log out.
 Use Token Expiry: Implement token expiration and refresh mechanisms to maintain
session security.

10. API Versioning

 Use Versioning for Your API: Manage deprecation of older, less secure versions.
 Avoid Mixing Old and New APIs: Keep deprecated versions separated from newer
secure ones.

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken
11. Testing and Patching

 Regularly Test for Vulnerabilities: Perform security tests such as penetration testing
and fuzz testing.
 Apply Security Patches: Update API software and dependencies with the latest
patches.
 Automate Security Testing: Incorporate security scans in your CI/CD pipeline.

12. Documentation

 Provide Clear API Documentation: Help users understand the security measures
they need to take.
 Do Not Expose Sensitive Information: Ensure that documentation does not disclose
sensitive data like API keys.

HANIM EKEN
https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken

https://ie.linkedin.com/in/hanimeken

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