Pentesting APIs: A practical guide to discovering, fingerprinting, and exploiting APIs

I have a PDF copy of this book from my PACKT account, and after reading various API penetration testing books, I found it to be an excellent source of information. The difference between this book and others is that it is a bit more hands-on and explains each area in more depth. The depth isn't comprehensive work by any means, but it does cover topics you'll know about at this point in your career if you're picking up a copy of this book.PROS:- Environment Setup!- Layout was great.- References in chapters, you can go lookup additional information to learn even more.- Uses Python which is widely used across many industries.CONS:- Some information was a bit lacking; for example, working over the SQL section starting on page 118, you will jump right into Burp Suite. If you've not used it before, you will be expected to have some hands on knowledge of the working toolset chosen by the author.- ZAP, I used it but it's a love hate relationship, possibly not a con here but I find it to be buggy.- Other tools used may be complex for entry-level professionals.Overall, I give the book high marks because it is cohesive enough to guide you through many common tasks but gives you enough room to experiment on your own. This is why I really appreciated the references. It is a great book to have in your arsenal for any application security engineer.

The book strikes an excellent balance between guidance and independent exploration. It's cohesive enough to walk readers through common tasks while providing ample opportunity for experimentation and deeper learning through its referenced materials. The depth of coverage, while not exhaustive, is perfectly calibrated for practical application in real-world scenarios.What makes this resource particularly valuable is its ability to progress readers from basic understanding to advanced implementation. Whether you're a webapp developer, ethical hacker, or application security engineer, this book serves as an essential addition to your technical library.Highly recommended for anyone looking to better understand API security. The combination of clear explanations, practical examples, and comprehensive coverage makes it an invaluable resource for both learning and reference. While some prior technical knowledge is beneficial, the book's structure and approach make it accessible while maintaining enough depth to satisfy more experienced practitioners.While the book is generally accessible, there are some aspects to keep in mind:- Certain sections assume prior knowledge of specific tools (like Burp Suite), which might challenge complete beginners- Some of the featured tools, including ZAP, may present a learning curve for entry-level professionals- Basic technical understanding is recommended, though the book can effectively guide readers from novice to expert level

I have been able to only read a few chapters of this book, but I can say with certainty that I would suggest this to anyone looking to better understand APIs. The in-depth look into what an API is as well as the explanations make this an easy read. I was able to learn a few things I didn't know in just a few short pages, which gave me a better understanding of the security vulnerabilities that can be found. I plan to finish this book and come back with an update to this review.

This book is the most modern and comprehensive deep dive into exploiting and securing APIs that I've seen to date. There are tons of practical examples, online resources, and links to downloadable tools to augment your experience while moving through the chapters. While there is a modicum of technical understanding required, I can easily see this guide taking a novice webapp developer or ethical hacker and progressing them to becoming an API exploit expert! Great work!

The book is a great resource, breaking down the fundamentals and how to config a testing setup before diving into the actual testing process. The sections on authentication and authorization were especially helpful in tightening up a few loose ends for me. It's a straightforward, clear read that I highly recommend.

"Pentesting APIs" is a game-changer for cybersecurity professionals. It offers an in-depth exploration of API vulnerabilities, from discovery to exploitation, making it ideal for both beginners and seasoned testers. What sets this book apart is its clear, hands-on approach to API pentesting, complete with real-world examples, tools, and step-by-step methodologies. Whether you're testing APIs in web, mobile, or IoT applications, this book equips you with actionable strategies to secure them effectively. A must-read for modern pentesting professionals.