Server-Side Threats and API Security

Server-Side Threats and API Security

Server-side threats target the application logic, data processing, and backend systems that power web applications. SQL injection, despite being well-understood for decades, continues to plague web applications through evolving attack vectors. Modern ORMs reduce but don't eliminate injection risks. NoSQL databases introduce new injection possibilities. API queries create additional injection surfaces. Threat modeling must examine every point where external input influences data queries.

Authentication and authorization vulnerabilities create critical server-side threats. Weak password reset mechanisms enable account takeover. Insufficient session randomness allows prediction attacks. JWT implementation flaws permit token forging. Broken object-level authorization lets users access others' data. Horizontal privilege escalation might be less dramatic than vertical escalation but often affects more users. Each authentication and authorization decision point requires threat analysis.

Business logic vulnerabilities represent some of the most challenging threats to model because they're unique to each application. Race conditions in financial transactions might allow double-spending. State machine flaws could permit skipping payment steps. Price manipulation through parameter tampering could reduce costs to zero or negative values. These application-specific threats require deep understanding of business processes and creative thinking about potential abuse.

API security has become paramount as web applications increasingly operate as API consumers and providers. REST APIs face parameter pollution and method confusion attacks. GraphQL introduces query complexity attacks that can overwhelm servers. API versioning creates challenges in maintaining security across versions. Rate limiting and authentication become critical as APIs often lack the human-interaction assumptions of traditional web interfaces.