API Attack Surface Management (AASM)
API Attack Surface Management (AASM) is a cybersecurity practice that focuses on identifying, assessing, and mitigating the risks associated with an organization's exposed APIs (Application Programming Interfaces).
Critical Elements of AASM:
Discovery: Identifying all APIs, including their endpoints, parameters, and functionalities. It often involves scanning internal and external systems and public repositories like GitHub.
Assessment: Analyzing APIs to find vulnerabilities and security misconfigurations. It can include manual code reviews, automated testing, and security tools to detect API-specific weaknesses.
Mitigation: Implementing security controls and best practices to reduce the risk of attacks. It can involve using WAFs (Web Application Firewalls), API gateways, input validation, authorization and authentication mechanisms, and encryption.
Continuous Monitoring: An essential aspect of AASM is ensuring that the API attack surface is regularly reassessed as APIs evolve and new ones are added. This adaptive approach helps ensure that new vulnerabilities are promptly detected and addressed
Why AASM is Important:
APIs are a prime target for attackers, as they often provide access to sensitive data and critical functionalities.
The number and complexity of APIs organizations use are increasing, making it challenging to maintain visibility and security.
AASM enables organizations to proactively approach API security, reducing the likelihood of breaches and data loss.
AASM is a critical aspect of modern cybersecurity that helps organizations protect their APIs and the valuable data they expose. By taking a systematic approach to API security, organizations can strengthen their overall security posture and reduce the risk of successful attacks.
ThreatNG, with its comprehensive external attack surface management, digital risk protection, and security ratings capabilities, would significantly enhance and complement API Attack Surface Management (AASM). The thoroughness of ThreatNG's features provides a sense of reassurance and confidence in the security measures.
Enhanced API Discovery:
Exposed API Discovery: ThreatNG's Domain Intelligence module actively scans for exposed APIs, providing a more complete picture of the API attack surface than traditional AASM tools, which may focus primarily on known or documented APIs.
Subdomain Intelligence: By thoroughly mapping subdomains, ThreatNG can identify APIs hosted on less apparent parts of the organization's infrastructure, potentially uncovering shadow APIs or forgotten legacy systems.
Application Discovery: ThreatNG's ability to identify web applications can also help pinpoint APIs associated with those applications, further expanding API visibility.
Deepened API Assessment:
Known Vulnerabilities: ThreatNG's repository of known vulnerabilities can be used to assess the security of discovered APIs, highlighting potential weaknesses that require immediate attention.
Web Application Firewall Discovery: By identifying a WAF's presence (or absence), ThreatNG helps evaluate the level of protection in place for APIs.
Sensitive Code Exposure: ThreatNG's ability to scan for exposed code repositories and mobile apps can reveal API keys, secrets, or other sensitive information that could be exploited to compromise APIs.
Search Engine Exploitation: This module can uncover API endpoints or documentation inadvertently exposed via search engines, adding another layer of API discovery and vulnerability assessment.
Cloud and SaaS Exposure: ThreatNG's visibility into cloud services and SaaS implementations can help identify APIs associated with these platforms, ensuring they're included in the AASM scope.
Continuous Monitoring and Risk Prioritization:
Continuous Monitoring: ThreatNG's constant monitoring capabilities ensure that the API attack surface is constantly reassessed as new APIs are added, existing ones are modified, or new vulnerabilities are discovered.
Dark Web Presence & Compromised Credentials: Monitoring the dark web for mentions of the organization or leaked credentials provides early warning of potential API-targeted attacks.
Sentiment and Financials: Negative sentiment or financial distress can indicate an increased risk of attacks, including those targeting APIs. ThreatNG helps factor these broader risks into API security prioritization.
Supply Chain & Third-Party Exposure: ThreatNG's assessment of third-party risks helps identify potential vulnerabilities in APIs exposed by partners or suppliers, extending AASM beyond the organization's immediate perimeter.
ThreatNG would empower organizations to:
Discover a more comprehensive range of APIs: Uncovering shadow APIs, legacy systems, and APIs associated with third-party services.
Perform more profound API assessments: Identifying more vulnerabilities and potential attack vectors.
Prioritize API security efforts Based on real-world threats, vulnerabilities, and the organization's overall risk profile.
Achieve continuous visibility: Keeping track of the evolving API attack surface and emerging threats.
By integrating ThreatNG into their AASM strategy, organizations can gain a more comprehensive and proactive approach to API security, significantly reducing the risk of successful attacks.
