testing-api-authentication-weaknesses

# Testing API Authentication Weaknesses ## When to Use - Assessing REST API authentication mechanisms for bypass vulnerabilities before production deployment - Testing JWT token implementation for common weaknesses (none algorithm, key confusion, missing expiration) - Evaluating whether all API endpoints enforce authentication or if some are unintentionally exposed - Testing API key generation, storage, and rotation mechanisms for predictability or leakage - Validating session management including token expiration, revocation, and refresh token security **Do not use** without written authorization. Authentication testing involves attempting to bypass security controls. ## Prerequisites - Written authorization specifying target API and authentication mechanisms in scope - Valid test credentials for at least two user roles (regular user, admin) - Burp Suite Professional with JWT-related extensions (JSON Web Tokens, JWT Editor) - Python 3.10+ with `requests`, `PyJWT`, and `jwt` libraries - Wordlists for credential testing (SecLists authentication wordlists) - API documentation or OpenAPI specification ## Workflow ### Step 1: Authentication Mechanism Identification ```python import requests import json BASE_URL = "https://target-api.example.com/api/v1" # Probe the API to identify authentication mechanisms auth_indicators = { "jwt_bearer": False, "api_key_header": False, "api_key_query": False, "basic_auth": False, "oauth2": False, "session_cookie...