E-commerce Platform’s Customer Data Secured from API Vulnerability

Challenge:

CloudSEK BeVigil discovered an unprotected Swagger API for the logistics arm of a major Indian e-commerce company. This exposed API could be accessed without authentication, allowing unauthorized users to view and modify API documentation, posing significant security risks.

Impact:

The technical impact includes giving attackers a detailed map of the underlying API structure, which can be used to craft targeted attacks, leading to data breaches and system compromises. Unauthorized access could lead to manipulation of shipments, exposing sensitive customer and logistics data. This not only risks sensitive company data but can also erode trust in the organization, leading to reputational damage and financial losses.

Solution:

CloudSEK's Attack Surface Monitoring solution, BeVigil Enterprise, detected and addressed the exposed Swagger APIs, securing the platform and preventing unauthorized access.

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Implementation:

Detection:

• CloudSEK BeVigil Enterprise identified an exposed Swagger API among the enumerated assets belonging to the e-commerce major.
• The Swagger API could be accessed without authentication, allowingunauthorized users to create, modify, or delete shipment data, posing a significant security risk.

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Threat Analysis:

• The exposed API documentation provided attackers with a detailed map of the underlying API structure, including endpoints, parameters, and schemas.
• This information could be leveraged for targeted attacks, potentially leading to data breaches, system compromises, and unauthorized access within the network.

Immediate Actions:

Based on advice and a detailed report from CloudSEK BeVigil Enterprise, the information security team at the e-commerce giant took the following steps:

• Conducted a review and audit of the API configurations to identify and remediate any security gaps.
• Restricted IP access to the Swagger UI, allowing only whitelisted IP addresses to access the documentation.

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Preventive Measures:

• Use a comprehensive attack surface monitoring tool like CloudSEK BeVigil Enterprise.
• Leveraged API gateways for additional security layers such as throttling, quotas, and anomaly detection.
• Conducted regular vulnerability scans and audits on the Swagger API to detect new threats or misconfigurations promptly.
• Educated developers and relevant stakeholders on the importance of API security and secure coding practices.

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