Alternatives to 42Crunch for Mobile backend BOLA testing

What middleBrick covers

  • Black-box API reconnaissance with read-only GET and HEAD
  • Detection of BOLA / IDOR via sequential and adjacent ID probing
  • OWASP API Top 10 (2023) aligned findings
  • OpenAPI 3.x and Swagger 2.0 parsing with $ref resolution
  • Authenticated scanning for mobile backend endpoints
  • CI/CD integration via GitHub Action and MCP Server

Scope and focus on mobile backend BOLA testing

This page compares alternatives relevant to testing mobile backend BOLA (Broken Object Level Authorization). The tool focuses on black-box API reconnaissance using read-only methods (GET and HEAD) plus text-only POST for LLM probes. It does not execute destructive payloads, and findings are presented as detected risk patterns with remediation guidance rather than as a remediation or patching solution.

Detection coverage aligned to OWASP API Top 10

The scanner covers 12 categories aligned to OWASP API Top 10 (2023), including Authentication issues, BOLA / IDOR via sequential ID enumeration and active adjacent-ID probing, BFLA / Privilege Escalation through admin endpoint discovery, and Property Authorization over-exposure. It also detects Input Validation anomalies such as CORS wildcard usage, sensitive Data Exposure including PII and API key formats, and Security Misconfiguration indicators. For LLM and AI Security, it runs 18 adversarial probes across Quick, Standard, and Deep tiers to surface prompt extraction, jailbreak, and data exfiltration risks.

OpenAPI analysis and authenticated scanning constraints

The scanner parses OpenAPI 3.0, 3.1, and Swagger 2.0 with recursive $ref resolution, cross-referencing spec definitions against runtime findings such as undefined security schemes or missing pagination. Authenticated scanning (Starter tier and above) supports Bearer, API key, Basic auth, and Cookie, gated by domain verification via DNS TXT or HTTP well-known file. Only a limited allowlist of headers is forwarded, and scanning is read-only.

Product capabilities and integrations

The Web Dashboard centralizes scans, score trends, and branded compliance PDF downloads. The CLI (middlebrick npm package) supports scripted workflows with JSON or text output. A GitHub Action can gate CI/CD when scores drop below a threshold, and an MCP Server enables scanning from AI coding assistants. The API client facilitates custom integrations, while the Pro tier adds continuous monitoring with scheduled rescans, diff detection, email alerts, and signed webhooks.

What the scanner does not do and compliance framing

The tool does not fix, patch, block, or remediate findings, nor does it perform active SQL injection or command injection testing. It does not detect business logic vulnerabilities, blind SSRF, or replace a human pentester for high-stakes audits. Findings can help you prepare for SOC 2 Type II and support audit evidence for PCI-DSS 4.0 and OWASP API Top 10 (2023). For other frameworks, the scanner aligns with security controls described in relevant guidelines and surfaces findings relevant to audit preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this scanner test mobile backend APIs for BOLA?
Yes. It uses read-only GET and HEAD methods to probe ID patterns and permissions without modifying data, focusing on authorization weaknesses typical in mobile backends.
Does it perform intrusive tests like SQL injection?
No. It avoids active intrusive payloads such as SQL injection or command injection, which are outside its scope.
Can authenticated scans validate credentials safely?
Yes, authenticated scanning is supported with strict domain verification and header allowlists to ensure credentials are only used for read-only checks.
Does the tool provide compliance certifications?
No. It is a scanning tool that detects and reports; it does not certify compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, or other regulations.