API security focuses on protecting application interfaces from unauthorized access, data exposure, abuse, and flaws in authentication or design.
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Background for this topic.
Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) are sets of rules that allow software applications to communicate and exchange data, often enabling functionality across different systems or services. APIs define how requests and responses are structured, making it possible for programs to interact without direct user involvement. In cybersecurity, APIs are commonly exposed over networks as endpoints that handle sensitive operations like data retrieval, user authentication, or transaction processing.
APIs increase the attack surface by exposing endpoints that attackers can target with unauthorized access attempts, injection attacks, or denial-of-service. Common risks include weak or missing authentication, insufficient input validation, and improper rate limiting. Effective API security requires strong authentication protocols (e.g., OAuth), strict input validation to prevent injection, rate limiting to mitigate abuse, and comprehensive logging to detect anomalies. Protecting APIs is critical to prevent data leaks, privilege escalation, and service disruption in interconnected environments.
Threat actors are exploiting a recently patched security flaw impacting Gravity SMTP, a WordPress plugin that's installed on about 100,000 sites
GitBait phishing kit abuses GitHub Pages and the SheetBest API to steal Mexican banking credentials
Cybersecurity researchers have flagged a "coordinated malware campaign" on the JetBrains Marketplace that has published no less than 15 malicious plugins capable of exfiltrating artificial intelligence (AI) provider keys
Aikido Security has discovered at least 15 IDE plugins on the JetBrains Marketplace
At least 15 malicious plugins found on the JetBrains Marketplace were designed to steal AI API keys from developers. [...]
Bad actors are exploiting multiple security vulnerabilities in Fortinet FortiSandbox, according to threat intelligence firm Defused Cyber