OWASP API Security Injection

• OWASP
• Injection

OWASP API Security Injection

So, you’ve probably heard of Top 10 OWASP, right? That’s basically the VIP list of security nightmares haunting Webapps. OWASP keeps this list fresh, and when it comes to APIs, they drop the OWASP API Security Top 10. Here’s the current lineup of threats you should definitely not ignore:

• Broken Object Level Authorization
• Broken User Authentication
• Excessive Data Exposure
• Lack of Resources & Rate Limiting
• Broken Function Level Authorization
• Mass Assignment
• Security Misconfiguration
• Injection
• Improper Assets Management
• Insufficient Logging & Monitoring

OWASP API Security Injection

Injection attacks are still out here ruining everyone’s day. We’re talking about OWASP API Security #8, Injection—a classic security fail that refuses to die.

These bad boys cover everything from SQL Injection, OS Command Injection, to XML Injection. And trust me, if your app’s got an injection hole, hackers are gonna slide right in.

How Does Injection Happen?

Long story short, it happens when apps don’t keep untrusted user input separate from legit code.

Attackers love slipping their junk into HTTP request parameters, headers, cookies, or even database records. If your app lazily shoves user input into commands without checking, boom—you just gave hackers a free pass to mess with your system.

Think of it like letting a shady dude into your house just because he “knows your name.” Not smart, right?

OWASP API Security Injection Example #1: Blog Post Madness

Let’s say your API serves up blog posts when users send this request:

GET /api/v1.1/posts?id=1337

Cool, so the API fetches post 1337. The server does its thing with an SQL query like this:

SELECT * FROM posts WHERE post_id = 1337;

Now, a hacker rolls up and tries this:

GET /api/v1.1/posts?id=12358; DROP TABLE users

That SQL server? Yeah, it’s about to have a really bad day:

DROP TABLE users;

Just like that, all user data goes poof. This is SQL Injection 101, and if you’re concatenating user input straight into queries, you might as well hand out your database passwords too.

OWASP API Security Injection Example #2: Bye-Bye System Files

Now let’s talk OS Injection. Say your API lets users read uploaded files:

GET /api/v1.1/files?id=1123581321

The server runs this:

cat /var/www/html/users/tmp/1123581321

But then a sneaky attacker pulls up and tries:

GET /api/v1.1/files?id=1123581321; rm -rf /var/www/html/users

Yeah, that rm -rf command? It just nuked your whole user directory. GG, no re.

How to NOT Get Wrecked by Injection Attacks

Injection attacks can wreck your data, your users, and your whole rep. But you can fight back. Here’s how:

Input Validation: Don’t Trust, Always Verify

Sanitize everything. Set up allowlists (only accept legit characters) or denylists (block shady ones). But be careful—denylists can miss stuff, and allowlists can be too strict. Imagine blocking apostrophes and telling O’Malley he can’t sign up. Awkward.

Parameterization: Keep It Clean

Instead of shoving user input into your commands raw, use parameterized queries. This keeps your queries and input separate, like food and poison. Wanna avoid an injection mess? This is your best bet.

Escaping: Tell Special Characters to Chill

Escaping turns potential attack characters into harmless data. Just make sure your escaping method matches the backend. Mess that up, and hackers will have a field day breaking your defenses.

Bottom line? Injection vulnerabilities are hella dangerous. If you’re not securing your APIs, you’re basically inviting hackers to the party. Lock it down, sanitize inputs, and stay paranoid. Security ain’t a one-time thing—it’s a lifestyle.