/api-security-testing

name: api-security-testing
description: "API security testing workflow for REST and GraphQL APIs covering authentication, authorization, rate limiting, input validation, and security best practices."
category: granular-workflow-bundle
risk: safe
source: personal
date_added: "2026-02-27"

API Security Testing Workflow

Overview

Specialized workflow for testing REST and GraphQL API security including authentication, authorization, rate limiting, input validation, and API-specific vulnerabilities.

When to Use This Workflow

Use this workflow when:

• Testing REST API security
• Assessing GraphQL endpoints
• Validating API authentication
• Testing API rate limiting
• Bug bounty API testing

Workflow Phases

Phase 1: API Discovery

Skills to Invoke

• `api-fuzzing-bug-bounty` - API fuzzing
• `scanning-tools` - API scanning

Actions

1. Enumerate endpoints 2. Document API methods 3. Identify parameters 4. Map data flows 5. Review documentation

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @api-fuzzing-bug-bounty to discover API endpoints

Phase 2: Authentication Testing

Skills to Invoke

• `broken-authentication` - Auth testing
• `api-security-best-practices` - API auth

Actions

1. Test API key validation 2. Test JWT tokens 3. Test OAuth2 flows 4. Test token expiration 5. Test refresh tokens

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @broken-authentication to test API authentication

Phase 3: Authorization Testing

Skills to Invoke

• `idor-testing` - IDOR testing

Actions

1. Test object-level authorization 2. Test function-level authorization 3. Test role-based access 4. Test privilege escalation 5. Test multi-tenant isolation

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @idor-testing to test API authorization

Phase 4: Input Validation

Skills to Invoke

• `api-fuzzing-bug-bounty` - API fuzzing
• `sql-injection-testing` - Injection testing

Actions

1. Test parameter validation 2. Test SQL injection 3. Test NoSQL injection 4. Test command injection 5. Test XXE injection

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @api-fuzzing-bug-bounty to fuzz API parameters

Phase 5: Rate Limiting

Skills to Invoke

• `api-security-best-practices` - Rate limiting

Actions

1. Test rate limit headers 2. Test brute force protection 3. Test resource exhaustion 4. Test bypass techniques 5. Document limitations

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @api-security-best-practices to test rate limiting

Phase 6: GraphQL Testing

Skills to Invoke

• `api-fuzzing-bug-bounty` - GraphQL fuzzing

Actions

1. Test introspection 2. Test query depth 3. Test query complexity 4. Test batch queries 5. Test field suggestions

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @api-fuzzing-bug-bounty to test GraphQL security

Phase 7: Error Handling

Skills to Invoke

• `api-security-best-practices` - Error handling

Actions

1. Test error messages 2. Check information disclosure 3. Test stack traces 4. Verify logging 5. Document findings

Copy-Paste Prompts

Use @api-security-best-practices to audit API error handling

API Security Checklist

• [ ] Authentication working
• [ ] Authorization enforced
• [ ] Input validated
• [ ] Rate limiting active
• [ ] Errors sanitized
• [ ] Logging enabled
• [ ] CORS configured
• [ ] HTTPS enforced

Quality Gates

• [ ] All endpoints tested
• [ ] Vulnerabilities documented
• [ ] Remediation provided
• [ ] Report generated

Related Workflow Bundles

• `security-audit` - Security auditing
• `web-security-testing` - Web security
• `api-development` - API development

Limitations

• Use this skill only when the task clearly matches the scope described above.
• Do not treat the output as a substitute for environment-specific validation, testing, or expert review.
• Stop and ask for clarification if required inputs, permissions, safety boundaries, or success criteria are missing.