Locate and Exploit Test APIs |
Attack Pattern ID: 121 (Standard Attack Pattern Completeness: Stub) | Typical Severity: High | Status: Draft |
Summary
An attacker exploits a sample, demonstration, or test API that is insecure by default and should not be resident on production systems. Some applications include APIs that are intended to allow an administrator to test and refine their domain. These APIs should usually be disabled once a system enters a production environment. Testing APIs may expose a great deal of diagnostic information intended to aid an administrator, but which can also be used by an attacker to further refine their attack. Moreover, testing APIs may not have adequate security controls or may not have undergone rigorous testing since they were not intended for use in production environments. As such, they may have many flaws and vulnerabilities that would allow an attacker to severely disrupt a target.
The target must have installed test APIs and failed to secure or remove them when brought into a production environment.
For some APIs, the attacker will need that appropriate client application that interfaces with the API. Other APIs can be executed using simple tools, such as web browsers or console windows. In some cases, an attacker may need to be able to authenticate to the target before it can access the vulnerable APIs.
CWE-ID | Weakness Name | Weakness Relationship Type |
---|---|---|
770 | Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling | Targeted |
Nature | Type | ID | Name | Description | View(s) this relationship pertains to |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ChildOf | Attack Pattern | 113 | API Abuse/Misuse | Mechanism of Attack (primary)1000 |