API Penetration Testing
Secure Your APIs Against Modern Threats and Data Breaches
Professional API security testing by certified ethical hackers.
APIs are the backbone of modern applications and increasingly the primary target for cybercriminals seeking to access sensitive data. Our manual penetration testing goes beyond automated scanners to identify authentication bypasses, authorization flaws, and business logic vulnerabilities that could expose your critical data. While automated tools can find surface-level issues, they miss complex API-specific attack vectors and nuanced security flaws that require human expertise to identify.
Our experienced penetration testers use the same techniques as real attackers, providing you with an authentic security assessment that reveals how your APIs would fare against actual threats. With over a decade in business and thousands of clients served, we help organizations strengthen their API security posture and discover critical issues before attackers exploit them.
What You Get
Penetration Testing Report
A comprehensive report detailing the findings of the test.
Attestation Letter
A letter describing the engagement, perfect for fulfilling client requirements.
Plus:
Remediation Dashboard
Track and manage discovered vulnerabilities with your teamDirect Pentester Access
Work directly with your assigned security expert throughout the processRetesting Included
Verify fixes are effective with included follow-up testing
What We Test For
Authentication Bypass
Flaws in API authentication mechanisms and token validationAuthorization Vulnerabilities
Broken access controls and privilege escalation issuesInjection Attacks
SQL injection, NoSQL injection, and command injection in API endpointsBusiness Logic Flaws
API workflow vulnerabilities that automated tools missRate Limiting Issues
Missing or insufficient rate limiting and DDoS protectionData Exposure
Excessive data exposure and sensitive information leakageAPI Security Misconfigurations
CORS issues, HTTP method vulnerabilities, and security headersGraphQL Specific Attacks
Query complexity attacks, introspection abuse, and schema exposure
Our API Testing Process
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Align on scope
We'll ask you a few simple questions about what needs to be tested and align with you on your objectives and timeline.
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Testing period
Your dedicated pentester will generally spend about one week searching for vulnerabilities and exposures.
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Report & remediation
We'll provide a detailed report on the issues we found and recommendations for remediation.
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Retest and validate
After issues are resolved, we'll retest to confirm that the issues are no longer present.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does API penetration testing cost?
API penetration testing starts at $4,975 and varies based on API complexity and scope. We provide fixed-price quotes with no hidden fees after our free scoping call.
Factors that affect pricing:
- Number of API endpoints and methods
- Authentication complexity and user roles
- API architecture (REST, GraphQL, SOAP)
- Integration complexity and third-party dependencies
Every quote includes comprehensive testing, detailed reporting, remediation support, and one round of retesting.
How is manual API testing different from automated scanning?
Manual penetration testing provides deeper security analysis that automated tools cannot match:
- Business Logic Testing: Human testers understand API workflows and can identify complex logic flaws
- Advanced Authentication Testing: Manual testing of complex OAuth flows, JWT vulnerabilities, and custom authentication
- Contextual Analysis: Understanding of data relationships and business impact of vulnerabilities
- Custom Payload Development: Testers create API-specific exploits tailored to your endpoints
While automated scanners are useful for initial assessment, manual testing is essential for comprehensive API security validation.
What API types and architectures do you test?
Our penetration testers have experience with a wide range of API technologies and architectures:
- RESTful APIs with JSON and XML payloads
- GraphQL APIs and schema implementations
- SOAP APIs and web services
- Microservices architectures and service meshes
- Third-party API integrations and webhooks
- Mobile app APIs and backend services
We adapt our testing methodology to your specific API architecture and technology stack.
How long does API penetration testing take?
Testing timeline depends on API complexity and scope:
- Simple APIs: 1-2 weeks for basic REST APIs with limited endpoints
- Complex APIs: 2-3 weeks for APIs with multiple authentication methods and business logic
- Enterprise APIs: 3-4 weeks for microservices architectures with extensive endpoint coverage
We provide specific timelines during the scoping phase and work with you to minimize disruption to your operations.
Can you test APIs that require authentication?
Yes, we regularly test authenticated APIs and understand the unique security challenges they present:
- OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect implementations
- JWT token security and session management
- API key authentication and authorization
- Multi-factor authentication bypass testing
During scoping, we'll discuss authentication methods and you'll provide appropriate test credentials or sandbox access.
Do you provide ongoing support after testing?
Yes, we provide comprehensive support throughout the remediation process:
- Direct access to your penetration tester for questions
- Clarification on findings and remediation steps
- Guidance for development teams implementing API security fixes
- Included retesting to verify successful remediation
Our goal is not just to identify vulnerabilities, but to help you successfully secure your API infrastructure.
