Alternatives to APIsec for AppSec engineers

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What middleBrick covers

  • Black-box scanning with a risk score for any API stack
  • Detection aligned to OWASP API Top 10 and common compliance mappings
  • OpenAPI 3.0/3.1/Swagger 2.0 parsing with spec-to-runtime cross-check
  • Authenticated scans with strict header allowlisting and domain verification
  • CI/CD integration via GitHub Action and MCP server for AI tooling
  • Continuous monitoring with diff detection and configurable alerting

Black-box scanning for any stack

The platform operates as a black-box scanner. You submit an API endpoint URL and receive a risk score from A to F with prioritized findings. It requires no agents, SDKs, or code access, so it works across languages, frameworks, and cloud providers. Scan duration is under one minute using read-only methods (GET and HEAD) and text-only POST for LLM probes.

Detection aligned to OWASP API Top 10

Coverage maps directly to OWASP API Top 10 (2023), including authentication bypass, JWT misconfigurations such as alg=none or expired tokens, BOLA and IDOR via sequential ID probing, BFLA and privilege escalation attempts, and data exposure patterns like PII and API keys. It also detects input validation issues, rate-limiting behavior, SSRF indicators, inventory problems, unsafe consumption surfaces, and LLM security probes across tiered scan depths.

OpenAPI spec cross-validation

The scanner parses OpenAPI 3.0, 3.1, and Swagger 2.0 documents with recursive $ref resolution. It cross-references spec definitions against runtime findings to highlight undefined security schemes, sensitive fields, deprecated operations, and missing pagination. This helps reconcile expected contract behavior with observed runtime behavior.

Authenticated scanning and safety

Authenticated scanning supports Bearer, API key, Basic auth, and cookies. Domain verification is enforced through DNS TXT records or an HTTP well-known file so only the domain owner can scan with credentials. A strict header allowlist forwards only Authorization, X-API-Key, Cookie, and X-Custom-* headers. The scanner is read-only, blocks private and metadata endpoints, and allows data deletion on demand within 30 days of cancellation.

Integrations and monitoring

Results are available via a web dashboard with score trends and branded compliance PDFs. The CLI supports one-command scans with JSON or text output. A GitHub Action can gate CI/CD when scores drop below a threshold. The MCP server enables scanning from AI coding assistants. Pro tier adds scheduled rescans, diff detection, email alerts, HMAC-SHA256 signed webhooks, and Slack or Teams notifications.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What standards does the scanner map findings to?
It maps findings directly to PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023). For other frameworks, it helps you prepare for and supports audit evidence related to security controls.
Can authenticated scans be configured?
Yes, you can provide Bearer tokens, API keys, Basic auth credentials, and cookies. A domain ownership gate ensures credentials are used only by the rightful owner.
Does the tool perform intrusive exploit testing?
No. It does not perform active SQL injection, command injection, or blind SSRF testing, as those require intrusive payloads outside its scope.
How are scan results delivered and managed?
You receive results in the dashboard and via exports. Pro tier provides scheduled rescans, diff detection, and alerting. Webhooks are signed with HMAC-SHA256 and disable after repeated failures.

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