Zombie API
In cybersecurity, a "Zombie API" refers to an Application Programming Interface (API) that is outdated, deprecated, or no longer officially supported but remains active and accessible. These APIs pose significant security risks.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
API Lifecycle: APIs, like any software, have a lifecycle. They are created, used, updated, and eventually, they should be retired or decommissioned.
Deprecation and Obsolescence: Over time, APIs may become outdated due to changes in technology, business requirements, or security standards. Developers may release new versions, and older versions are deprecated, meaning they are no longer recommended. Eventually, these deprecated APIs become obsolete.
The "Zombie" State: A Zombie API is an API that should have been retired but remains active. It's "alive" in that it still responds to requests, but is "zombie" because it's no longer maintained or patched.
Why are Zombie APIs a cybersecurity risk?
Vulnerabilities: Zombie APIs often contain known vulnerabilities that are not patched. Attackers can exploit these vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to data or systems.
Lack of Security Best Practices: Older APIs may use outdated security protocols or authentication methods that are no longer considered secure, making them easier to compromise.
Lack of Monitoring: Zombie APIs are often not actively monitored for security threats, so that malicious activity may go undetected.
Unknown Exposure: Organizations may not even know they have Zombie APIs, making assessing and managing the associated risks difficult.
Compliance Issues: Using outdated APIs may violate compliance regulations or industry standards.
In essence, Zombie APIs represent a technical debt that creates significant cybersecurity vulnerabilities. They highlight the importance of proper API lifecycle management and security governance.
ThreatNG and Zombie APIs
ThreatNG's capabilities can help discover, assess, and monitor APIs that might be considered "Zombie APIs."
ThreatNG’s Capability: ThreatNG performs external, unauthenticated discovery. This is a critical first step in identifying an organization's externally exposed APIs, including those that might be older or less well-maintained.
Example: ThreatNG discovers all subdomains and web applications, which can reveal various API endpoints. In the context of Zombie APIs, ThreatNG's discovery might identify API endpoints on older subdomains or within legacy web applications that are no longer actively updated or used.
Synergy with Complementary Solutions:
API Inventory Tools: ThreatNG's discovery can be usefully combined with specialized API inventory tools. These tools can provide a more detailed catalog of all APIs, including information about their version, purpose, and last update date, which helps pinpoint potential Zombie APIs.
ThreatNG's external assessment capabilities provide information that can help in identifying characteristics of Zombie APIs:
Subdomain Intelligence: ThreatNG's Subdomain Intelligence feature can identify API endpoints and provide details about the technologies used.
Example: ThreatNG can identify the technologies used by subdomains (Server Headers). If ThreatNG detects an API running on an outdated server or using deprecated technologies, it might be a Zombie API.
Archived Web Pages: ThreatNG can identify archived web pages, including those with API documentation or references.
Example: ThreatNG identifies archived web pages, including API documentation. If ThreatNG finds API documentation on archived web pages but cannot find current documentation or active use, it might indicate a Zombie API.
Cyber Risk Exposure: ThreatNG assesses cyber risk exposure, which includes parameters from the Domain Intelligence module, such as vulnerabilities.
Example: ThreatNG considers parameters from our Domain Intelligence module, including vulnerabilities, to determine cyber risk exposure. If ThreatNG identifies known vulnerabilities in an API, and there is no evidence of recent patching or updates, it could be a Zombie API.
Synergy with Complementary Solutions:
Vulnerability Scanners: ThreatNG's discovery of potential Zombie APIs can usefully feed into vulnerability scanners. These scanners can then perform detailed security testing to confirm the presence of vulnerabilities and assess the risk they pose.
3. Reporting
ThreatNG’s Capability: ThreatNG provides reports that highlight potential security risks. These reports can include information that helps identify Zombie APIs.
Example: ThreatNG provides prioritized reports. These reports can highlight findings related to outdated technologies, known vulnerabilities, or a lack of security best practices, all indicators of potential Zombie APIs.
Synergy with Complementary Solutions:
Security Posture Management Tools: ThreatNG's reporting data can usefully integrate with security posture management tools. These tools can then use the information to assess the overall risk posed by Zombie APIs within the organization's application landscape.
ThreatNG’s Capability: ThreatNG continuously monitors the external attack surface. This is crucial for detecting changes that might indicate the presence or increased risk associated with Zombie APIs.
Example: ThreatNG continuously monitors all organizations' external attack surface, digital risk, and security ratings. Suppose ThreatNG detects changes in the technology stack or the appearance of new vulnerabilities related to an older API. In that case, it can trigger alerts that prompt further investigation for potential Zombie APIs.
Synergy with Complementary Solutions:
API Monitoring Tools: ThreatNG's monitoring can be combined with specialized API monitoring tools. These tools can track API traffic, performance, and error rates, which can help identify APIs that are no longer actively used or maintained (a key characteristic of Zombie APIs).
ThreatNG's investigation modules provide detailed information that helps in analyzing and understanding potential Zombie APIs:
Domain Intelligence: This module provides detailed information about domains and subdomains, essential for identifying and investigating APIs.
Example: The Subdomain Intelligence feature can provide details about the technologies used on subdomains that host APIs. This can help determine whether the API is built on older, potentially vulnerable technologies.
Technology Stack: This module identifies the technologies used by the organization.
Example: Technology Stack lists the following technologies being used by the organization under investigation. If ThreatNG identifies outdated technologies used with an API, it could be a Zombie API.
Synergy with Complementary Solutions:
API Debugging Tools: ThreatNG's investigation data can be used with API debugging tools. These tools can help analyze API behavior, including usage patterns and security mechanisms, which can be valuable in confirming whether an API is a Zombie API.
6. Intelligence Repositories (DarCache)
ThreatNG’s Capability: ThreatNG's intelligence repositories (DarCache) provide valuable context for understanding potential API-related risks.
Example: The Vulnerabilities (DarCache Vulnerability) repository provides information on known vulnerabilities. If ThreatNG identifies an API and DarCache has records of known vulnerabilities for the technologies used by that API, it could be a Zombie API.
Synergy with Complementary Solutions:
Threat Intelligence Platforms (TIPs): DarCache data can usefully enrich Threat Intelligence Platforms, providing information about threat actors known to target older APIs or specific vulnerabilities common in Zombie APIs.
ThreatNG offers a range of capabilities that can help organizations identify, assess, and manage the risks associated with Zombie APIs. ThreatNG enables a proactive approach to finding and addressing these often-overlooked vulnerabilities by providing discovery, assessment, monitoring, investigation, and intelligence. The potential synergies with complementary solutions enhance its value in a comprehensive API security strategy.
