Skip to content
Clear Infosec

API Penetration Testing

REST, GraphQL, and SOAP, tested to the OWASP API Top 10.

Focused testing of your APIs for the authorization, data-exposure, and injection flaws that dominate modern breaches, aligned to the OWASP API Security Top 10.

What we test

Where we focus

Broken object- and function-level authorization

Excessive data exposure

Injection and mass assignment

Rate limiting and resource consumption

Authentication and token handling

Improper inventory and shadow APIs

This is part of our Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing service. Retest validation is included at no added cost.

Who it's for

Organizations exposing REST, GraphQL, or SOAP APIs to partners, mobile apps, or the public, particularly where APIs move sensitive data or drive core business functions.

FAQ

Common questions

What is API penetration testing?

API penetration testing is focused security testing of REST, GraphQL, or SOAP interfaces to find authorization, data-exposure, and injection flaws. It is commonly aligned to the OWASP API Security Top 10, which describes the risks most specific to APIs.

What is the OWASP API Security Top 10?

The OWASP API Security Top 10 is a list dedicated to API-specific risks, led by broken object-level authorization (BOLA) and broken function-level authorization. It exists because APIs fail differently than traditional web pages, often through weak access control on individual objects and functions.

How is API testing different from web application testing?

APIs expose data and operations directly rather than through rendered pages, so testing emphasizes object- and function-level authorization, mass assignment, excessive data exposure, and unbounded resource consumption. Undocumented or shadow endpoints are also a common focus.

The CLEAR Method

A structured methodology, From scope to retest, proof over theory.

  1. C

    Context & Scoping

    Objectives, scope, and rules of engagement.

  2. L

    Locate & Enumerate

    Discover assets, services, and attack surface.

  3. E

    Exploit & Evaluate

    Safely validate what is truly exploitable.

  4. A

    Analyze & Advise

    Root cause, risk, and remediation guidance.

  5. R

    Retest & Report

    Confirm fixes, then report with evidence.

Aligned toPTESOSSTMMMITRE ATT&CKOWASPNIST 800-115MITRE ATLAS

Explore more VAPT coverage

Let's scope your api penetration testing.

Practitioner-led testing, proof of impact, and retest validation included at no added cost.

Contact us

Reach us at