Exploiting API Injection Vulnerabilities

When to Use

• Testing API endpoints that accept user input for database queries, system commands, or external requests
• Assessing APIs that interact with SQL databases, NoSQL stores (MongoDB, Redis), LDAP directories, or external URLs
• Evaluating input validation and parameterized query usage across all API endpoints
• Testing for SSRF where API parameters accept URLs or hostnames that trigger server-side requests
• Identifying injection points in headers, path parameters, query strings, and JSON/XML request bodies

Do not use without written authorization. Injection testing can modify or destroy data and compromise backend systems.

Prerequisites

• Written authorization specifying target API and backend systems in scope
• Python 3.10+ with requests library
• SQLMap for automated SQL injection detection and exploitation
• Burp Suite Professional with Active Scan capabilities
• Knowledge of the backend database technology (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, Redis)
• Isolated test environment to avoid production data corruption