VIEH Security API Top 10

A Modern Framework for Securing APIs in the Age of Cloud, AI, and Zero Trust

Research Information

• Version: 1.0
• Release Date: 10 February 2025
• Authors: VIEH Security Team
• Organization: VIEH Group
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 (CC BY-NC 4.0)
• Website: VIEH Group

Acknowledgments

We extend our gratitude to the VIEH Security Team and entire Security Community, including researchers, developers, and organizations that contributed to this project. Special thanks to:

• Bug Bounty Platforms: HackerOne, Bugcrowd
• Industry Experts: VIEH and Native Companies
• Open-Source Tools: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Postman

0x01: Introduction

1.1 The API Security Landscape

APIs are the backbone of modern applications, enabling communication between services, cloud platforms, and third-party integrations. However, they are also the #1 attack surface for cybercriminals. Recent breaches include:

• Twitter (2022): API vulnerability exposed 5.4 million user records.
• Optus (2022): Unauthenticated API endpoint led to 10 million customer records leaked.
• Facebook (2021): API misuse exposed 533 million users’ data.

1.2 Why OWASP API Top 10 (2023) Falls Short

While the OWASP API Security Top 10 (2023) is a valuable resource, it lacks coverage of:

• AI-powered API abuse (e.g., prompt injection, adversarial attacks).
• GraphQL and event-driven API risks.
• Cloud-native and serverless vulnerabilities.
• CI/CD pipeline API risks.

1.3 Objective of VIEH Security API Top 10 (2024)

This framework aims to:

1. Update API security risks for 2024’s threat landscape.
2. Provide actionable mitigations with code snippets and tool recommendations.
3. Bridge the gap between developers and security teams.

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0x02: Methodology

2.1 Data Sources

• Breach Reports: Analyzed 50+ API-related breaches (2020–2024).
• Bug Bounty Platforms: Reviewed HackerOne, Bugcrowd, and OpenBugBounty reports.
• Industry Surveys: Conducted a survey of 200+ security professionals to rank risks.
• Expert Interviews: Consulted 10 API security researchers and 5 cloud architects.

2.2 Risk Ranking Criteria

Criteria	Weight	Description
Prevalence	30%	How common is the risk?
Exploitability	25%	How easy is it to exploit?
Impact	25%	What’s the potential damage?
Trend Growth	20%	Is the risk increasing?

2.3 Validation

• Penetration Testing: Used Burp Suite, OWASP ZAP, and Postman to validate risks.
• Peer Review: Shared drafts with API security communities (e.g., r/netsec, OWASP Slack).

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0x03: VIEH Security API Top 10 (2024)

3.1 API1: 2024 – Broken Object-Level Authorization (BOLA)

Description: BOLA occurs when an API fails to validate if a user has permission to access a specific object (e.g., /api/users/123).

Real-World Example:

• Twitter API Breach (2022): Attackers accessed private tweets by manipulating user_id parameters.

Attack Scenario:

1. User A logs in and receives a JWT token.
2. Attacker changes user_id=123 to user_id=456 in the API request.
3. API returns User B’s data without validation.

Mitigations:

• Implement object-level permission checks in backend code.
• Use UUIDs instead of sequential IDs.
• Tools: OWASP ZAP, Postman (auth tests).

Compliance Impact:

• Violates GDPR (Article 32) and CCPA.

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3.2 API2: 2024 – Excessive Data Exposure

Description: APIs expose more data than necessary, leading to PII leaks or compliance violations.

Real-World Example:

• Facebook API (2018): Exposed user likes, friends, and private messages due to over-posting.

Mitigations:

• Use field-level filtering (e.g., GraphQL allowlists).
• Mask sensitive data (e.g., credit card numbers, SSNs).
• Tools: GraphQL Armor, 42Crunch.

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3.3 API3: 2024 – Mass Assignment

Description: Attackers override object properties by sending unexpected parameters (e.g., is_admin=true).

Real-World Example:

• GitHub API (2019): Mass assignment allowed attackers to escalate privileges.

Mitigations:

• Whitelist allowed fields in API requests.
• Use DTOs (Data Transfer Objects) to filter input.
• Tools: ESLint (for Node.js), Pylint (for Python).

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3.4 API4:2024 – Injection (API Context)

Description: Injection attacks evolve beyond SQLi to include NoSQL, GraphQL, and serverless injection.

Real-World Example:

• MongoDB NoSQL Injection (2020): Attackers extracted millions of records via API.

Mitigations:

• Use parameterized queries.
• Sanitize GraphQL inputs (e.g., with GraphQL Armor).
• Tools: SQLMap, NoSQLMap.

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3.5 API5: 2024 – Broken Authentication & Session Management

Description: Weak JWT implementation, session fixation, or credential stuffing.

Real-World Example:

• Uber (2022): Hardcoded API keys led to full system compromise.

Mitigations:

• Enforce short-lived JWT tokens.
• Use FIDO2/WebAuthn for passwordless auth.
• Tools: Auth0, Okta.

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3.6 API6: 2024 – Security Misconfiguration

Description: Default settings, verbose errors, or exposed admin endpoints.

Real-World Example:

• Accenture (2021): Exposed 40TB of data due to misconfigured API.

Mitigations:

• Disable debug modes in production.
• Use CSPM tools (e.g., Prisma Cloud, Wiz).
• Tools: OWASP ZAP, Nessus.

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3.7 API7: 2024 – Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)

Description: APIs fetch internal resources without validation, leading to cloud metadata attacks.

Real-World Example:

• Capital One (2019): SSRF exploited to steal 100M records.

Mitigations:

• Block internal IPs in API responses.
• Use allowlists for outbound requests.
• Tools: Burp Suite, SSRFmap.

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3.8 API8: 2024 – Lack of Rate Limiting & Anti-Bot

Description: APIs without rate limiting are vulnerable to brute force, scraping, and DDoS.

Real-World Example:

• Parler (2021): Scrapers downloaded 99% of posts due to no rate limits.

Mitigations:

• Implement rate limiting (e.g., 100 requests/minute).
• Use CAPTCHA or bot detection (e.g., Cloudflare Bot Management).
• Tools: Kong, NGINX Rate Limiting.

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3.9 API9: 2024 – Shadow APIs & API Sprawl

Description: Unmanaged APIs from legacy systems, microservices, or third parties.

Real-World Example:

• Equifax (2017): Unpatched API led to 147M records exposed.

Mitigations:

• Automated API discovery (e.g., Noname Security, 42Crunch).
• Decommission unused APIs.

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3.10 API10: 2024 – AI-Powered API Abuse

Description: Attackers manipulate AI/ML models via APIs (e.g., prompt injection, adversarial attacks).

Real-World Example:

• Microsoft Bing Chat (2023): Prompt injection exposed internal data.

Mitigations:

• Sanitize AI API inputs.
• Monitor for anomalous model behavior.
• Tools: IBM Watson OpenScale, Fiddler.

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0x04: Extended Risks (Appendix)

4.1 GraphQL-Specific Vulnerabilities

• Query Complexity DoS: Attackers send nested queries to crash APIs.
• Introspection Abuse: Exposed schema reveals internal data structures.
• Mitigations: Use query depth limiting and disable introspection in production.

4.2 CI/CD Pipeline API Abuse

• Stolen Tokens: CI/CD APIs (e.g., GitHub Actions) leak secrets.
• Malicious Workflows: Attackers inject malicious scripts into pipelines.
• Mitigations: Use ephemeral credentials and secrets scanning (e.g., GitHub Advanced Security).

4.3 Event-Driven API Risks

• Webhook Spoofing: Attackers send fake events to APIs.
• Replay Attacks: Legitimate events are replayed maliciously.
• Mitigations: Use HMAC signatures for webhooks.

4.4 Quantum-Resistant API Security

• Post-Quantum Cryptography: APIs must transition to quantum-safe algorithms (e.g., Kyber, Dilithium).
• Mitigations: Audit TLS and JWT algorithms for quantum vulnerability.

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0x05: Mitigation Strategies & Tools

Risk	Mitigation Steps	Recommended Tools
BOLA	Implement object-level checks, use UUIDs.	OWASP ZAP, Postman
Excessive Data Exposure	Field-level filtering, mask PII.	GraphQL Armor, 42Crunch
Mass Assignment	Whitelist fields, use DTOs.	ESLint, Pylint
Injection	Parameterized queries, sanitize inputs.	SQLMap, NoSQLMap
Broken Authentication	Short-lived JWTs, FIDO2.	Auth0, Okta
Security Misconfiguration	Disable debug modes, use CSPM.	Prisma Cloud, Wiz
SSRF	Block internal IPs, allowlist outbound requests.	Burp Suite, SSRFmap
Rate Limiting	Enforce 100 req/min, use CAPTCHA.	Kong, NGINX
Shadow APIs	Automated API discovery, decommission unused APIs.	Noname Security, 42Crunch
AI API Abuse	Sanitize inputs, monitor model behavior.	IBM Watson OpenScale, Fiddler

0x06: Compliance & Regulatory Impact

Risk	GDPR	CCPA	NIS2	HIPAA
BOLA	Article 32 (Security)	§1798.150 (Breach)	Annex II (Incident Reporting)	§164.308 (Access Control)
Excessive Data Exposure	Article 5 (Minimization)	§1798.100 (Transparency)	Annex I (Risk Management)	§164.502 (Privacy Rule)
Mass Assignment	Article 32 (Integrity)	§1798.105 (Opt-Out)	Annex II (Incident Response)	§164.312 (Audit Controls)

0x07: Comparison: OWASP API Top 10 vs. VIEH API Top 10

Comparison Chart

#	OWASP API Top 10 (2023)	VIEH Security API Top 10 (2024)	Why the Change?	Real-World Relevance
1	Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA)	Broken Object-Level Authorization (BOLA)	Kept: Still the #1 API risk. Added cloud and microservices examples.	Twitter (2022), Parler (2021)
2	Broken Authentication	Broken Authentication & Session Management	Merged with session risks: Focus on JWT misuse, MFA bypasses, and passwordless auth (FIDO2/WebAuthn).	Uber (2022), Rockstar Games (2022)
3	Excessive Data Exposure	Excessive Data Exposure	Kept: Added GraphQL over-fetching and AI data leaks.	Facebook (2021), LinkedIn (2021)
4	Lack of Resources & Rate Limiting	Lack of Rate Limiting & Anti-Bot	Renamed/Expanded: Highlight API abuse (scraping, fraud) and bot mitigation tools.	Parler (2021), Clubhouse (2021)
5	Broken Function Level Authorization	Mass Assignment	Replaced: Mass assignment is more common and actionable than function-level auth issues.	GitHub (2019), Shopify (2020)
6	Unrestricted Access to Sensitive Business Flows	Shadow APIs & API Sprawl	Replaced: “Shadow APIs” and “zombie APIs” are bigger risks in microservices/cloud environments.	Equifax (2017), Verizon (2021)
7	Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)	Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)	Kept: Added cloud metadata service attacks (AWS/Azure/GCP).	Capital One (2019), Microsoft (2021)
8	Security Misconfiguration	Security Misconfiguration	Kept: Focus on cloud/Kubernetes misconfigurations (e.g., exposed admin endpoints).	Accenture (2021), Misconfigured Kubernetes dashboards (2023)
9	Improper Inventory Management	(Merged into Shadow APIs)	Merged: Combined with API sprawl for clarity.	—
10	Unsafe Consumption of APIs	AI-Powered API Abuse	Replaced: “Unsafe consumption” is vague. AI abuse (prompt injection, adversarial attacks) is urgent.	Microsoft Bing (2023), AI model poisoning (2023)

New Additions in VIEH Security API Top 10 (2024)

Risk	Why It’s Critical	Real-World Examples	Mitigation Focus
AI-Powered API Abuse	AI/ML APIs are new attack surfaces for prompt injection and adversarial attacks.	Microsoft Bing (2023), AI data poisoning	Input sanitization, model behavior monitoring, adversarial training.
Shadow APIs & API Sprawl	Unmanaged APIs from microservices, legacy systems, or third parties are rampant.	Equifax (2017), Verizon (2021)	Automated API discovery, decommission unused APIs.
Mass Assignment	More common than function-level auth issues in modern frameworks (Django, Rails).	GitHub (2019), Shopify (2020)	Whitelist fields, use DTOs.
GraphQL-Specific Vulnerabilities	GraphQL APIs are exploding in use but introduce unique risks (e.g., DoS).	GitHub (2021), Shopify (2022)	Query depth limiting, disable introspection in production.
CI/CD Pipeline API Abuse	CI/CD APIs (e.g., GitHub Actions) are prime targets for token leaks.	Codecov (2021), CircleCI (2023)	Ephemeral credentials, secrets scanning.
Event-Driven API Risks	Webhooks and async APIs (e.g., WebSockets) are often overlooked.	Slack (2022), Zoom (2021)	HMAC signatures for webhooks, input validation.
Quantum-Resistant API Security	Post-quantum cryptography is critical for long-term API security.	NIST warnings (2023)	Transition to quantum-safe algorithms (Kyber, Dilithium).

0x08: Conclusion & Call to Action

8.1 Key Takeaways

• APIs are the #1 attack surface in 2024, with BOLA, AI abuse, and shadow APIs as top risks.
• OWASP API Top 10 (2023) is outdated for modern threats like GraphQL, CI/CD, and quantum risks.
• VIEH Security API Top 10 (2024) provides actionable, developer-friendly mitigations.

8.2 Call to Action

1. Download the Full Guide: Link will be updated soon
2. Take the API Security Quiz: Will be available soon
3. Join Our Webinar: “How to Fix the Top 5 API Vulnerabilities in 2024” – (Link will be updated here)
4. Request a Free API Audit: Contact VIEH Group for a custom security assessment.

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0x09: References

1. Gartner. (2023). API Security: What You Need to Know.
2. OWASP. (2023). API Security Top 10.
3. Twitter. (2022). API Vulnerability Disclosure.
4. Facebook. (2021). Data Exposure Incident Report.
5. NIST. (2023). Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization.

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0x0A: Appendices

A. API Security Checklist

Developer Checklist
– [ ] Validate object-level permissions for every API endpoint.
– [ ] Use UUIDs instead of sequential IDs.
– [ ] Implement rate limiting (e.g., 100 requests/minute).
– [ ] Sanitize all inputs (SQL, NoSQL, GraphQL).
– [ ] Disable debug modes in production.
– [ ] Use short-lived JWT tokens with FIDO2.
– [ ] Scan dependencies for vulnerabilities (e.g., Snyk).
– [ ] Monitor for shadow APIs (e.g., Noname Security).
– [ ] Sanitize AI/ML API inputs to prevent adversarial attacks.
– [ ] Audit CI/CD pipelines for leaked secrets.

CISO Checklist
– [ ] Conduct quarterly API security audits.
– [ ] Enforce least-privilege access for API keys.
– [ ] Use CSPM tools to monitor cloud API configurations.
– [ ] Train developers on OWASP API Top 10 and VIEH extensions.
– [ ] Implement a shadow API discovery program.  

B. Tool Recommendations

Category	Tools
API Security Testing	OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Postman, 42Crunch, Noname Security
GraphQL Security	GraphQL Armor, Escape, Inigo
CI/CD Security	GitHub Advanced Security, Snyk, Checkmarx, SonarQube
Rate Limiting	Kong, NGINX, Cloudflare
AI Security	IBM Watson OpenScale, Fiddler, Robust Intelligence
Shadow API Discovery	Noname Security, 42Crunch, Salt Security

C. Case Studies

1. Twitter API Breach (2022): BOLA vulnerability exposed 5.4M records.
2. Facebook API (2021): Excessive data exposure leaked 533M users.
3. Capital One (2019): SSRF attack stole 100M records.
4. Equifax (2017): Unpatched API led to 147M records exposed.

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How to Use This Document

1. For Developers: Focus on Mass Assignment, GraphQL, and AI risks—areas OWASP doesn’t cover deeply.
2. For CISOs: Prioritize Shadow APIs, CI/CD risks, and compliance impacts (GDPR, NIS2).
3. For Cloud Teams: SSRF and security misconfigurations are critical in cloud environments.