In today's interconnected world, APIs are the backbone of modern applications, enabling seamless communication and data exchange. However, this connectivity comes with inherent security risks. The OWASP Top 10 API Security Risks 2023 highlights the critical vulnerabilities organizations must address to protect their sensitive data and systems.

ThreatNG, a comprehensive external attack surface management and digital risk protection solution, offers a powerful arsenal of capabilities to combat these risks. Let's explore how ThreatNG can help you secure your exposed APIs and fortify your overall external security posture.

API Discovery: The Foundation of API Security

ThreatNG's core strength lies in its Exposed API Discovery. It scans your organization's digital footprint to identify all exposed APIs, including those that might be unknown, forgotten, or undocumented. This comprehensive inventory is crucial for understanding your attack surface and managing API security effectively.

Example: ThreatNG discovers an API endpoint used for user authentication with a weak password policy, making it susceptible to brute-force attacks.

Addressing OWASP Top 10 API Security Risks

ThreatNG's capabilities align with several OWASP Top 10 risks:

• API1:2023 - Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA): ThreatNG's Domain Intelligence module helps identify potential API endpoints through subdomain analysis and DNS record investigation. This, combined with analyzing authentication and authorization mechanisms, can highlight potential BOLA vulnerabilities.

• API2:2023 - Broken Authentication: The Sensitive Code Exposure module scans public code repositories for exposed API keys, secrets, or hardcoded credentials that could compromise authentication.

• API3:2023 - Broken Object Property Level Authorization: ThreatNG's Social Media monitoring can identify data leaks or discussions about sensitive data exposure, indicating potential vulnerabilities.

• API5:2023 - Broken Function Level Authorization:  Archived Web Pages analysis can uncover older API versions with weaker authorization controls.

• API7:2023 - Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF): Although ThreatNG doesn't directly address SSRF, its API discovery helps identify potential entry points for these attacks.

• API8:2023 - Security Misconfiguration: Domain Intelligence can detect misconfigured DNS records, missing security headers, or outdated SSL certificates.

• API9:2023 - Improper Inventory Management: ThreatNG excels by maintaining an updated inventory of discovered APIs.

ThreatNG: A Part of a Holistic Solution

While ThreatNG provides powerful capabilities, it's essential to remember that it's one piece of a giant security puzzle. To achieve comprehensive API security, ThreatNG should be integrated with complementary solutions, both external and internal:

• External Solutions:

• API Security Testing Tools for dynamic analysis and vulnerability scanning.

• Authorization Solutions for fine-grained access control.

• Authentication Solutions for robust authentication mechanisms.

• Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) and Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) for real-time attack prevention.

• Internal Solutions:

• Secure coding practices and code reviews to prevent vulnerabilities.

• API gateways for centralized API traffic management and security enforcement.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems for log analysis and threat detection.

Beyond API Security: Strengthening Your External Posture

ThreatNG's capabilities extend beyond API security to enhance your overall external security posture:

• Continuous Monitoring: Track changes in your digital footprint, identify new vulnerabilities, and receive alerts on emerging threats.

• Threat Intelligence: Leverage dark web monitoring and ransomware intelligence to identify and mitigate risks proactively.

• Vulnerability Scanning: Identify and prioritize vulnerabilities across your external attack surface.

From APIs to Ecosystems: ThreatNG's Comprehensive Security Approach

While crucial for securing your APIs, ThreatNG's capabilities extend beyond internal security. API discovery forms the foundation for managing third-party risks, conducting due diligence, and safeguarding your brand reputation. Here's how:

Third-Party Risk Management

• Identifying Shadow APIs: ThreatNG discovers APIs used by your third-party vendors, even those not officially documented. This unveils potential security gaps and ensures compliance with your security standards.

• Continuous Monitoring: By continuously monitoring your vendors' digital footprint, ThreatNG detects changes in their API landscape, such as new endpoints or security vulnerabilities, allowing you to address potential risks proactively.

• Risk Assessment: ThreatNG's comprehensive data, including vulnerability scanning and threat intelligence, provides valuable insights for assessing the security posture of your third-party vendors and prioritizing risk mitigation efforts.

Due Diligence

• Comprehensive API Inventory: ThreatNG provides a complete inventory of a potential partner's exposed APIs, enabling a thorough security assessment before integration.

• Security Posture Evaluation: Leverage ThreatNG's vulnerability scanning and threat intelligence to evaluate potential partners' security practices and identify red flags.

• Data Leak Detection: ThreatNG's sentiment & financials monitoring and dark web surveillance can uncover past data breaches or security incidents involving a third party, informing your due diligence process.

Brand Protection

• Monitoring for Brand Mentions: ThreatNG's sentiment & financials and dark web monitoring capabilities track brand mentions and identify potential negative sentiment or discussions about API security breaches, enabling timely response and mitigation.

• Preventing Data Leaks: ThreatNG helps prevent data leaks that could damage your brand reputation and erode customer trust by identifying vulnerabilities in your APIs and those of your partners.

Conclusion

ThreatNG offers robust capabilities to help organizations secure their exposed APIs and strengthen their external security posture. Combining API discovery, vulnerability identification, threat intelligence, and continuous monitoring with complementary security solutions can mitigate API security risks and protect your organization from cyberattacks.

Remember, API security is an ongoing process. Continuous vigilance, proactive measures, and a layered security approach are crucial for staying ahead of the evolving threat landscape.