API1:2023: Broken Object Level Authorization
Attackers manipulate object IDs in API requests to access objects belonging to other users. The most prevalent and impactful API vulnerability.
How it's found
Identified by swapping object identifiers across authenticated API requests and confirming whether a second user's session can access another user's data.
Vulnerable vs. safe
GET /api/invoices/8842 -> returns invoice 8842 for any authenticated callerGET /api/invoices/8842 -> 403 unless invoice.ownerId === session.userIdStandards mapping
How TurboPentest tests for this (white-box)
This weakness (Improper Access Control) is caught by white-box static analysis when you connect a GitHub repo: IntegSec's Opengrep SAST rule pack carries 1 rule for it, flagging the issue directly in your source code as part of the pentest.
Frequently asked questions
What is API1:2023 Broken Object Level Authorization?
Attackers manipulate object IDs in API requests to access objects belonging to other users. The most prevalent and impactful API vulnerability.
How do you find Broken Object Level Authorization?
Identified by swapping object identifiers across authenticated API requests and confirming whether a second user's session can access another user's data.
Which CWEs map to API1:2023?
API1:2023 maps to CWE-284, CWE-285, CWE-639.
Does TurboPentest test for Broken Object Level Authorization?
This weakness (Improper Access Control) is caught by white-box static analysis when you connect a GitHub repo: IntegSec's Opengrep SAST rule pack carries 1 rule for it, flagging the issue directly in your source code as part of the pentest.
Related OWASP categories
- OWASP API Security Top 10API2:2023: Broken Authentication
- OWASP API Security Top 10API3:2023: Broken Object Property Level Authorization
- OWASP API Security Top 10API4:2023: Unrestricted Resource Consumption
- OWASP API Security Top 10API5:2023: Broken Function Level Authorization
- OWASP API Security Top 10API6:2023: Unrestricted Access to Sensitive Business Flows
- OWASP API Security Top 10API7:2023: Server Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
Written and reviewed by
Michel Chamberland - Founder & CEO, IntegSec
CISSP, OSCP, OSCE, CEH, GIAC, CCSK · 20+ years in offensive security
Michel has spent 20+ years on offensive security teams including IBM X-Force Red and Trustwave SpiderLabs, leading penetration tests, red team engagements, and breach response for Fortune 500 customers. He is the founder of IntegSec and the architect of TurboPentest.
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