Authentication and credentials
Token use, session handling, and the checks required before an endpoint accepts a request.
Utilities Studio / Cybersecurity
API penetration testing
Give your developers API findings they can reproduce.
Assess API authentication, object-level authorization, role boundaries, and sensitive data exposure. Get evidence your developers can reproduce.
Your developers need the request that proves the problem.
Your API serves a mobile app, SaaS product, partner, or internal team. When a finding lands, your developers need the affected endpoint, the access used, and the request and response that demonstrate it. We test the agreed roles and workflows so the report explains which permission or behavior needs to change.
The assessment
API penetration testing
API penetration testing examines how an application programming interface handles requests, identities, and access to data or functions. We test the endpoints and roles in scope, including whether a valid account can access records or actions that belong to someone else. The findings connect the request, response, and business impact.
Inside the scope
Object and function authorization
Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA), role boundaries, and access to sensitive operations.
Input and response data
Request validation, unexpected parameters, and disclosure of information beyond the intended response.
Workflow abuse
Sequences of API calls that bypass the intended business process or misuse a sensitive operation.
Testing references
The OWASP API Security Top 10 describes common API risks, including broken object and function authorization. It is an awareness resource; the assessment scope also needs to reflect your endpoints and business logic.
OWASP API Security Top 10What your team receives
- An executive summary explaining the business impact and what the assessment covered
- Technical findings that identify the affected component and give your engineers evidence and reproduction steps
- Remediation guidance for the affected components and a findings review with your team
- Retest results for the agreed findings, with rounds, time window, and pricing specified before booking
Working with your team
From scope to remediation.
Scope the work and agree delivery
Confirm the assets, permissions, and production limits. Name the contacts and record the dates, reporting format, support arrangements, and retest terms.
Test and share the evidence
Investigate the agreed attack paths and validate findings. Keep your team updated and escalate critical issues immediately through the agreed channel.
Review findings and verify fixes
Walk your engineers through the report and remediation priorities. Carry out the agreed retesting and document which fixes worked and what remains unresolved.
What are you paying for?
The endpoint inventory, API protocols, number of roles, authentication flows, and business logic determine the effort. Documentation quality and access to representative data also affect preparation.
Planning around your deadline
The schedule follows a review of the endpoint inventory and credentials. We agree the test window and any rate limits or sensitive operations before making requests.
Pentest delivery
Know what to expect before the test starts.
When will we see findings?
We share validated findings during the test through the agreed secure channel. Critical issues go to your nominated contact immediately. Progress updates cover completed work, blockers, and what comes next.
What will the report contain?
Your engineers get affected assets, reproduction steps, evidence, and remediation guidance. We explain severity using the demonstrated impact. An executive summary sets out the business risk and the limits of the assessment.
Who helps us work through the fixes?
A technical findings review lets your engineers discuss the evidence and recommended fixes with us. We name the technical contact and agree the support period and response arrangements before testing.
What does retesting cover?
Retesting checks fixes to the original findings and records the result. Before booking, we specify the findings covered, retest rounds, time window, and any charges. New features or changed environments need a scope review.
Can findings go into our issue tracker?
We agree the findings format and handover method with your team. If you use Jira, Linear, or GitHub, we scope the export or ticket handover, required access, and treatment of sensitive evidence before testing.
When can we start and get the report?
Your proposal sets the start date, testing window, and report delivery date after we review scope and access. Bring your audit or release deadline so remediation and retesting can be planned around it.
Delivery references: NIST SP 800-115 and CREST's penetration testing programme guide.
The practitioner behind the work
Led by Sheeraz Ali.
Sheeraz Ali is our Head of Cybersecurity. His work spans application, cloud, network, and AI assessments. His personal track record includes leading pentests at Cobalt and building the internal pentest programme at SolarWinds.
Read Sheeraz's security backgroundSheeraz's personal track record
- Pentest engagements at Cobalt
- 245
- Vulnerabilities identified at Cobalt
- 1,592
- CVEs discovered
- 28+
- Machines and labs authored at Hack The Box
- 300+
His website lists OSCP, CRTP, CRTE, CREST CRT and CPSA, CBBH, and CKA.
At SolarWinds, he delivered 120+ internal pentests. As CTO at Pwned Labs, he built a platform serving 40,000+ practitioners. He co-developed Mobexler, selected for Black Hat Arsenal, and presented research at Nullcon and c0c0n.
Explore his career timelineFAQ
Questions before you book.
What is BOLA in API security?
Broken Object Level Authorization occurs when an API fails to verify that a caller may access the requested object. A valid login alone does not establish permission to read or modify every record. Testing compares requests across users and roles.
Can you test an API without a frontend?
Yes. An API assessment can use the documented endpoints and authorized credentials directly. Example requests, expected responses, and the intended permission model help establish coverage.
What if our API documentation is incomplete?
We can discuss discovery as part of the scope. Incomplete documentation can increase preparation effort and limit confidence in endpoint coverage, so the report should make those boundaries clear.
We had a pentest last year. What should we test now?
Bring the previous report and a list of changes to your code, permissions, or infrastructure. We can use those to scope the next assessment. Check which earlier findings were fixed and which fixes were verified; the date on the old report does not answer those questions.
Explore related assessments
All cybersecurity servicesWeb application penetration testing
Test authentication, access controls, and business logic in your web application. Get reproducible findings and remediation guidance for your engineering team.
Mobile application penetration testing
Test iOS and Android applications for insecure storage, exposed secrets, and broken access controls. Scope the mobile client and its backend together.
AI and LLM penetration testing
Assess prompt injection, RAG data exposure, and agent tool abuse. Test the permissions and trust boundaries around your AI application.
What do you need to get moving?
Tell us what your team needs to resolve, which systems are involved, and any deadline. We will work through the scope and reporting needs with you.