hunt-api-misconfig

Scanning an API for security misconfigurations involves targeting the endpoint URL to detect mass assignment, JWT attacks, prototype pollution, and HTTP verb tampering vulnerabilities. This automates penetration testing tasks to identify security flaws before production deployment.

A mass assignment vulnerability in API security occurs when an API endpoint accepts extra fields from user input and modifies server-side object properties without proper authorization. Detection involves sending additional fields and checking for unauthorized changes in server state.

JWT attacks like algorithm stripping and key confusion exploit weak token validation by manipulating the JWT header to bypass authentication. They involve cracking weak HMAC secrets using tools like jwt_tool and hashcat to forge valid tokens and gain unauthorized API access.

Yes, you need Python libraries like requests to test for prototype pollution and HTTP verb tampering. These dependencies enable automated scripts to send crafted HTTP requests, identify polluted properties affecting authorization checks, and detect improper HTTP method handling.

Yes, you can use this approach for penetration testing pre-production APIs. It identifies security misconfigurations by automating attack vectors like JWT manipulation and prototype pollution, ensuring application security before deploying the API to production environments.

Automated API vulnerability detection limitations include potential false positives and reliance on predefined checks for mass assignment and HTTP verb tampering. It requires specific dependencies like jwt_tool and hashcat, meaning it may miss complex business logic flaws.