Credit: Mohammed Waleed
https://medium.com
In this article, the author details how they identified two API vulnerabilities by analyzing JavaScript source code. The process involved inspecting client-side scripts to uncover hidden endpoints and insecure data handling practices. Below are some practical commands and code snippets to help you practice similar techniques:
Code Snippets and Commands
1. Extracting JavaScript Files from a Website
Use `wget` to download all JavaScript files from a target website:
wget --recursive --no-parent --accept js https://example.com
2. Searching for API Endpoints in JS Files
Use `grep` to search for common API endpoint patterns in downloaded JS files:
grep -rE "(https?:\/\/[^\"]+|api\/[^\"]+)" /path/to/js/files
3. Analyzing Minified JavaScript
Use `prettier` to format minified JS for readability:
npx prettier --write /path/to/minified.js
4. Testing for Insecure API Endpoints
Use `curl` to test if an API endpoint is vulnerable to unauthorized access:
curl -X GET https://example.com/api/v1/user/data -H "Authorization: Bearer invalid_token"
5. Automating Vulnerability Scanning
Use `nikto` to scan for common web vulnerabilities:
nikto -h https://example.com
What Undercode Say
Analyzing JavaScript source code is a powerful technique for uncovering API vulnerabilities, as demonstrated in this article. By inspecting client-side scripts, security researchers can identify hidden endpoints, insecure data handling, and other potential attack vectors. Tools like wget, grep, and `curl` are essential for extracting and analyzing JS files, while utilities like `prettier` make minified code more readable.
To further enhance your skills, consider exploring Linux commands like `awk` and `sed` for advanced text processing, or `nmap` for network scanning. For API security, tools like `Postman` and `Burp Suite` are invaluable for testing and validating endpoints. Additionally, learning about OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and practicing with platforms like Hack The Box or TryHackMe can deepen your understanding of web security.
Remember, ethical hacking and vulnerability discovery require a strong foundation in programming, networking, and security principles. Always obtain proper authorization before testing systems, and adhere to legal and ethical guidelines. For more resources, visit:
– OWASP API Security Top 10
– Hack The Box
– TryHackMe
By combining technical skills with a threat actor mindset, you can proactively identify and mitigate vulnerabilities, contributing to a safer digital ecosystem.
References:
Hackers Feeds, Undercode AI
