API Security Breaches: Learning from Past Incidents
Tags: api, security, webdev, cybersecurity
Published: 2024-01-12 16:19:31

The integration of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and API security have become fundamental in the modern world, serving as the backbone for communication between diverse software applications. 

APIs play a pivotal role in enhancing innovation, allowing the creation of interconnected and efficient digital ecosystems.

However, the widespread adoption of APIs has introduced some unprecedented challenges, with a notable surge in API security breaches disrupting the technological landscape. 

Recent surveys reveal a staggering reality: 41% of organisations experienced API security incidents in the past year, marking a 681% increase in such incidents within a single year.

The FireTail website has tracked many of these breaches, so it is worthwhile taking a look through [their list](https://www.firetail.io/api-data-breach-tracker) to see if your data may have been involved in one of these breaches without your knowledge.

This surge in breaches has far-reaching consequences, with disastrous impacts on user trust, financial stability, and organisational credibility.

This article will explore two significant incidents that highlight the critical importance of fortifying API security. 

The Twitter API breach of December 2021 and the Dropbox API breach of November 2022 serve as reminders of the vulnerabilities inherent in API ecosystems.

As we navigate the intricacies of these breaches, we aim to glean invaluable insights and lessons to fortify our defences. 

Understanding the nuances of past incidents becomes imperative in addressing the evolving threat landscape and ensuring the resilience of API environments. For a comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of API security, you may want to refer to our [previous article here.](https://apidna.ai/understanding-the-fundamentals-of-api-security/)

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/oej6swv2huseke2xy8c7.jpg)

## Twitter API Breach
In December 2021, Twitter faced one of the most significant API breaches in recent years. 

Exploiting a vulnerability in the Twitter API, hackers accessed the accounts of over 5.4 million users by submitting email addresses or phone numbers to the API.

The breach exposed users’ names, phone numbers, and email addresses, creating potential risks for misuse by malicious actors. 

Hackers leveraged the API vulnerability to scrape personal information from Twitter profiles, including login IDs and public data from the internet.

The compromised data, offered for sale on a hacker forum by a threat actor named Ryushi, raised concerns about potential misuse, such as phishing attacks, social engineering, and tracking of individuals. 

The incident significantly impacted user trust and confidence in Twitter, highlighting the broader consequences of API breaches.

Twitter addressed the vulnerability in January 2022 after it was discovered by a bug bounty hunter. 

However, the full extent of the breach came to light in July 2022 when Ryushi offered 400 million Twitter profiles for sale. 

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/mxwqpz9t3u8hry1eepw2.jpg)

Twitter faces a dilemma, with Ryushi suggesting an exclusive purchase to avoid GDPR breach fines, similar to those faced by Facebook.

The Twitter API breach underscores the prevalence of data breaches and the increasing popularity of API-based attacks. 

It emphasises the need for continuous vulnerability scanning, especially after code updates. 

The incident serves as a stark reminder that no passwords were stolen, yet the impact on user trust and the platform’s reputation is substantial.

Real-time monitoring is crucial for promptly detecting and responding to API vulnerabilities. 

Twitter’s experience highlights the importance of automated vulnerability scans to ensure timely identification and mitigation of security risks. 

Incident response protocols should be robust and agile to contain breaches and minimise their impact.

### Best Practices

- **Automated Vulnerability Scans:** Conduct automated vulnerability scans regularly, especially after code updates, to identify and address potential vulnerabilities promptly.
- **Input Validation Protocols:** Implement solid input validation protocols for APIs to prevent unauthorised access and data scraping.
- **Continuous Monitoring:** Establish real-time monitoring systems to detect and respond to security incidents promptly, minimising the impact on user data and trust.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/bd5ei54tg08tmwjjoawp.jpg)

## Dropbox API Breach
On November 1, 2022, Dropbox experienced a significant API breach that originated from a phishing scam. 

The attackers successfully gained access to Dropbox’s GitHub internal code repositories, compromising 130 repositories, some of which contained API keys and user data.

The breach was discovered on October 14 when GitHub notified Dropbox of suspicious activity dating back to October 13. 

The phishing attack involved emails impersonating the CircleCI continuous integration and delivery platform, redirecting Dropbox employees to a counterfeit CircleCI page. 

There, employees were prompted to input their GitHub credentials and a One-Time Password (OTP).

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/4sc1j4lw7vlajsg220ma.jpg)

The phishing attack targeted multiple Dropbox employees, exploiting their credentials to gain unauthorised access to a GitHub organisation. 

The stolen repositories included API keys and a few thousand names and email addresses belonging to Dropbox employees, customers, sales leads, and vendors. 

Fortunately, no user data from Dropbox’s core apps or infrastructure was compromised.

Upon discovering the breach, Dropbox took swift action to secure its environment. 

The company is implementing advanced security measures, including WebAuthn, hardware tokens, and biometric factors, to enhance overall security and prevent future incidents.

### Key Takeaways

- **Phishing Threats:** The incident underscores the sophistication of phishing attacks. Developers and businesses must remain vigilant and educate their teams on recognizing and avoiding phishing attempts.
- **Credential Protection:** Protecting employee credentials is paramount. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) and robust security protocols can help mitigate the risks associated with compromised credentials.
- **Regular Updates and Patch Management:** Dropbox’s response highlights the importance of regular updates and patch management to address vulnerabilities promptly. Keeping systems and software up-to-date is crucial for maintaining a secure API environment.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/p2b78y62ppfn310e3ps1.jpg)

## Conclusion
Navigating the intricacies of these breaches has provided invaluable insights and lessons to fortify our defences. 

Understanding the nuances of past incidents is imperative for addressing the evolving threat landscape and ensuring the resilience of API environments.

In moving forward, the lessons drawn from these incidents should inform our approach to API security. 

Adopting best practices such as automated vulnerability scans, solid input validation protocols, and continuous monitoring will be essential in safeguarding user data, trust, and the integrity of digital ecosystems. 

As technology evolves, it is our collective responsibility to stay vigilant, educate teams, and implement proactive measures to secure APIs in the dynamic and challenging landscape of modern tech.

As technology advances, the integration of autonomous agents brings forth new challenges and complexities that demand a rigorous and proactive approach to safeguarding the integrity and confidentiality of data within our systems. 

We recognize the critical importance of staying at the forefront of security measures to mitigate potential risks and ensure the resilience of our platforms in the face of evolving technological landscapes. 

Our dedicated focus on security underscores our commitment to providing a secure and reliable environment for our users at APIDNA.

## Further Reading
[Dropbox discloses breach after hacker stole 130 GitHub repositories](https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/dropbox-discloses-breach-after-hacker-stole-130-github-repositories/)

[Twitter Data Breach & The Vulnerability Behind Them
](https://www.getastra.com/blog/security-audit/twitter-data-breach/)

[The next big API security breach looms: here’s how to prepare](https://www.scmagazine.com/perspective/the-next-big-api-security-breach-looms-heres-how-to-prepare)

[What Are API Security Breaches?](https://www.akamai.com/glossary/what-are-api-security-breaches)