Database API
A database API (Application Programming Interface) is an intermediary between applications and a database in security and cybersecurity. It allows applications to interact with the database securely and efficiently, abstracting away the complexities of the underlying database system. There are two main categories of database APIs:
ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) and JDBC (Java Database Connectivity): These are lower-level APIs that provide programmatic access to various database systems using a standardized interface. While offering flexibility, they require developers to handle many security aspects themselves.
Higher-level database API APIs are specific to a particular database management system (DBMS) and offer a more controlled and secure way to interact with the database. Examples include:
RESTful APIs: Many modern database systems offer RESTful APIs that allow applications to interact with the database using standard HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE).
Stored Procedures: These are pre-written programs stored within the database itself. Applications can call these procedures to perform specific database operations.
Security Considerations for Database APIs:
Authentication and Authorization: Robust authentication and authorization mechanisms ensure that only authorized applications and users can access specific data within the database.
Input Validation: All user input and data passed through the database API should be thoroughly validated to prevent attacks like SQL injection, which can manipulate database queries and steal sensitive data.
Data Encryption: Data at rest (within the database) and in transit (between the application and the database) should be encrypted to ensure confidentiality.
Database User Permissions: Grant database users only the minimum permissions necessary to perform their tasks, minimizing the potential damage from compromised credentials.
API Security Posture Management (ASPM): Higher-level APIs like RESTful database APIs can be used to analyze the API configurations, identify vulnerabilities specific to database access, and assign security posture scores.
Securing Database APIs:
Use Least Privilege: Implement the least privilege principle for application and database user permissions.
Prepare Statements: Use prepared statements with parameter binding to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Regular Security Testing: Regularly test database APIs for vulnerabilities to identify and address potential security risks.
API Gateway: Consider using an API gateway to manage access and enforce security policies for database APIs.
Database APIs are essential for application development, but security needs to be a top priority. Organizations can leverage the benefits of database APIs while mitigating security risks by adhering to secure coding practices, implementing robust authentication and authorization, using secure communication protocols, and following additional security measures.
ThreatNG and Database API Security: Discovery as the First Line of Defense
ThreatNG, with its external attack surface management (EASM) capabilities, plays a vital role in securing database APIs by focusing on discovery. Here's how it helps organizations manage and secure these APIs through pure discovery, interacts with complementary solutions, and creates a comprehensive defense:
1. Shining a Light on Hidden Database Access Points:
ThreatNG scans the external environment, identifying all exposed database API endpoints accessible outside the organization's network.
This discovery is crucial because many security vulnerabilities arise when database APIs are hidden or misconfigured, allowing unauthorized access.
2. Handoff to Specialized Solutions:
ThreatNG acts as the initial investigator, uncovering exposed APIs, and then hands off the information to other security solutions for further analysis and protection:
Web Application Firewall (WAF): ThreatNG can inform WAFs about the discovered database APIs, especially those exposed through higher-level APIs like RESTful interfaces. WAFs can then implement specific rules to filter traffic targeting these APIs and identify potential attacks (e.g., attempts to exploit SQL injection vulnerabilities).
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): ThreatNG shares the discovered database API inventory with SIEM solutions. SIEM can analyze logs generated during API interactions, potentially identifying suspicious activity or unauthorized access attempts.
3. Example: Securing an E-commerce Platform's Leaked API
Imagine ThreatNG discovers an exposed RESTful API for an e-commerce platform's product database. This API might have weak authentication or be improperly configured, allowing unauthorized access.
ThreatNG to WAF: ThreatNG shares the API details with the WAF solution.
WAF Configuration: Security specialists can develop custom WAF rules to inspect requests targeting this specific API, focusing on identifying potential SQL injection attempts within the API calls.
Handoff 2: ThreatNG to SIEM: ThreatNG also shares the information with the SIEM solution.
SIEM Analysis: The SIEM analyzes logs related to the API interaction and identifies a surge in unusual activity, including attempts to access sensitive product data from unauthorized locations.
Action: Based on the combined information (discovery, WAF alerts, and SIEM analysis), IT can prioritize immediate action. They can:
Secure the API: Work with the development team on API authentication for the API and review configurations to eliminate potential vulnerabilities.
Investigate Suspicious Activity: The security team can investigate the identified suspicious access attempts through SIEM to identify potential attackers.
4. Benefits of Discovery-Driven Approach:
Reduced Attack Surface: ThreatNG exposes hidden database API endpoints, allowing organizations to identify and secure them before attackers exploit them.
Prioritized Security Monitoring: By highlighting newly discovered APIs, ThreatNG helps organizations focus WAF and SIEM monitoring efforts on the most critical areas.
Streamlined Security Management: The handoff to complementary solutions allows for further analysis, anomaly detection, and targeted security measures specific to the type of database API exposed.
ThreatNG is the foundation for database API security by providing a complete view of all externally accessible database access points. This discovery power allows other security solutions to take informed actions, ultimately creating a layered defense against attacks that target database APIs.
