API security for CTOs

Run the API security for CTOs check

What middleBrick covers

  • Black-box API scanning with read-only methods under one minute
  • 12 OWASP-aligned detection categories including LLM security probes
  • OpenAPI 3.0/3.1/Swagger 2.0 parsing with recursive reference resolution
  • Authenticated scans with domain verification and header allowlists
  • Risk grading from A to F with prioritized findings and remediation guidance
  • Integration options including CLI, GitHub Action, MCP Server, and web dashboard

Executive summary for the CTO

API security for CTOs starts with risk clarity and operational simplicity. This scanner is a self-service black-box tool that submits a URL and returns a letter grade and prioritized findings within one minute. It focuses on detection and guidance, not remediation, and runs without agents, SDKs, or code access.

How the scanner works and what it covers

The scanner performs read-only evaluations against any language or framework using GET and HEAD methods, with optional text-only POST for LLM probes. Coverage spans 12 categories aligned to the OWASP API Top 10 (2023), including authentication bypass, broken object level authorization, business logic abuse, property over-exposure, input validation, rate limiting, data exposure, encryption issues, SSRF, inventory management, unsafe consumption, and LLM/AI security. OpenAPI 3.0, 3.1, and Swagger 2.0 specs are parsed with recursive $ref resolution, and findings are cross-referenced against the spec to surface undefined security schemes or deprecated operations.

Authenticated scanning and safe execution

Authenticated scanning is available starting at the Starter tier and supports Bearer, API key, Basic auth, and cookies. Domain ownership is verified through a DNS TXT record or an HTTP well-known file so only the domain owner can scan with credentials. The scanner enforces a strict header allowlist of Authorization, X-API-Key, Cookie, and X-Custom-* headers. Safety measures include read-only methods only, blocking private IPs, localhost, and cloud metadata endpoints at multiple layers, and a data policy that allows deletion on demand with no sale or use for model training.

Compliance mapping and monitoring

The scanner maps findings to three frameworks: PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023). For other regulations, it supports audit evidence collection and aligns with security controls described in relevant standards. Continuous monitoring (Pro tier) provides scheduled rescans every 6 hours to monthly, diff detection across scans, email alerts limited to one per hour per API, and HMAC-SHA256 signed webhooks that auto-disable after five consecutive failures.

Product options and integration model

The Web Dashboard centralizes scans, reports, and score trends with downloadable branded compliance PDFs. The CLI via the middlebrick npm package supports JSON and text output with the command middlebrick scan <url>. A GitHub Action enforces CI/CD gates by failing builds when scores drop below a threshold. An MCP Server enables scanning from AI coding assistants, and a programmatic API supports custom integrations. The Pro tier adds Slack and Teams alerts, compliance reports, and signed webhooks.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can the scanner fix the issues it finds?
No. The scanner detects and reports with remediation guidance. It does not patch, block, or remediate vulnerabilities.
Does it perform intrusive injection testing such as SQL injection or command injection?
No. It does not perform active SQL injection or command injection, which require intrusive payloads outside the scope of this tool.
Can it detect business logic vulnerabilities?
No. Business logic vulnerabilities require human expertise aligned to your domain context and are outside automated detection scope.
What happens to my scan data after cancellation?
Customer scan data is deletable on demand and purged within 30 days of cancellation. Data is never sold and is not used for model training.