API Key Leaks: How to Detect, Prevent, and Secure Your Business

Introduction

Imagine you're a bank, and someone finds your safe's combination on a post-it note stuck to the door. That's essentially what an API key leak is like. It's a security nightmare waiting to happen. According to recent studies, there has been a significant increase in API key leaks over the past year. 

At TRAVIS ASM, we specialize in External Attack Surface Management (EASM), and we understand the critical role that API key security plays in your organization's overall cybersecurity strategy. So, let's dive into the dangers of API key leaks, why they matter, and how you can protect your business.

What Are API Keys and How Are They Used?

 
API keys are like unique passwords that allow different software applications to communicate with each other securely. For instance, if you have a mobile app that provides weather updates, it might use an API key to access weather data from a third-party service like Weather API. These keys are meant to be kept secret to prevent unauthorized access, ensuring that only authorized applications can interact with the API.

There are two main types of API keys: public and private. Public keys are used for read-only access, such as fetching public data, while private keys grant more privileges, like modifying data or performing transactions. The problem is, if these keys fall into the wrong hands, the consequences can be catastrophic.

How Do API Keys Get Leaked?

API keys can be leaked in several ways, and often, it's due to human error or misconfiguration. Here are the common culprits:

1. Hardcoded in Code: Developers sometimes hardcode API keys directly into the source code, which can be exposed if the code is shared publicly or accessed by unauthorized parties. For example, a study found that 40% of API keys are hardcoded, increasing the risk of exposure, as noted by legitsecurity.com
   
   A notable case is the Twitter API key leak in 2018, where a developer accidentally committed a file containing the key to a public GitHub repository, allowing anyone to access Twitter's API (Dark Reading).


2. Misconfigured Servers: Servers might be set up to expose API keys in error messages or logs, making them accessible to anyone who can view those logs. This is often due to improper configuration, such as not using secure logging practices.


3. Accidental Sharing: Employees might accidentally share API keys in emails, chats, or other communication channels. For instance, sharing a screenshot of a configuration file in a team chat could inadvertently expose a key.


4. Phishing Attacks: Cybercriminals might trick employees into revealing API keys through deceptive emails or websites, exploiting human vulnerabilities.


5. Data Breaches: If an organization's systems are breached, attackers can steal API keys along with other sensitive data, as seen in the Dropbox API key leak in 2012, where a researcher found that Dropbox's API keys were hardcoded in their software, potentially exposing user data (Git Gaurdian).

These leaks often go unnoticed for months, with breaches taking an average of 200 days to detect, according to From Flea Markets to Front Pages—How Forgotten Assets Fuel Cybersecurity Nightmares.

The Dangers of API Key Leaks

The consequences of API key leaks are severe, and they can impact your business in multiple ways. Here's a breakdown:

1. Data Breaches: Attackers can use the keys to access sensitive data, leading to privacy violations and financial losses. For example, in 2020, a well-known company had their API key exposed on GitHub, leading to a data breach that cost the company millions, as reported by The Register..


2. Unauthorized Access: They can perform actions on behalf of the organization, such as sending messages, making transactions, or deleting data, which can disrupt operations and cause further damage.


3. Service Disruptions: By overwhelming the API with requests, attackers can cause denial-of-service attacks, making the service unavailable to legitimate users, affecting customer satisfaction and revenue.


4. Fraud and Theft: In financial APIs, leaked keys can be used to transfer funds or make unauthorized purchases, leading to significant financial losses. Imagine a leaked key allowing hackers to drain funds from a cryptocurrency exchange, as seen in various high-profile cases.


5. Compliance Violations: Depending on the industry, API key leaks can lead to violations of data protection regulations like GDPR or HIPAA, resulting in fines and legal actions. This can also damage your reputation and customer trust.

The pain points are clear: these leaks can cost you money, disrupt your operations, and erode trust. At TRAVIS ASM, we see this all the time, and it's why we stress the importance of proactive security measures.

How to Prevent API Key Leaks

Preventing API key leaks requires a multi-faceted approach, and here at TRAVIS ASM, we recommend the following best practices:

1. Secure Storage: Use secure vaults or encrypted storage to keep API keys safe, such as HashiCorp Vault or Amazon Key Management Service. Don't just leave them lying around like loose change in your pocket.


2. Least Privilege Access: Ensure that only necessary personnel have access to API keys, and limit their permissions to the minimum required. It's like giving someone the keys to your car but only for driving to the grocery store, not for a joyride across the country.


3. Regular Auditing: Periodically review where API keys are used and who has access to them to detect any anomalies. Schedule monthly auditing sessions to check for any new or unauthorized uses of API keys.


4. Employee Training: Educate employees on the importance of API key security and how to handle them securely. Some think a strong password is enough. Ha! That's like thinking a screen door will keep out a hurricane. You need to train your team to recognize phishing attempts and secure handling practices.


5. Monitoring: Set up monitoring systems to detect any unusual activity or usage patterns that might indicate a leak. This is crucial for catching issues early, before they turn into full-blown breaches.


6. Secure Communication: Use secure protocols like HTTPS for all communications involving API keys to ensure they're transmitted safely.


7. Key Rotation: Regularly rotate API keys to minimize the damage if a key is compromised. Set a schedule, like every 90 days, to refresh your keys.

These steps can significantly reduce the risk, but let's be real, human error is still a factor. That's where our EASM services come in, providing an extra layer of protection.

The Role of EASM in Preventing API Key Leaks

External Attack Surface Management (EASM) is all about identifying, assessing, and managing the security risks of your organization's external digital assets, and that includes your API endpoints. At TRAVIS ASM, we know that understanding your external attack surface is key to preventing API key leaks.

Here's how EASM helps:

• Identify All External Assets: Our platform can discover all your external-facing assets, including API endpoints, ensuring you know exactly what's out there. This is crucial because, as we saw with the flea market example, forgotten assets can be a goldmine for attackers (From Flea Markets to Front Pages—How Forgotten Assets Fuel Cybersecurity Nightmares).


• Assess Security: We assess the security posture of these assets, detecting misconfigurations or vulnerabilities that could lead to API key leaks, such as endpoints returning keys in plain text.


• Monitor for Changes: Continuous monitoring ensures that any new or changed API endpoints are quickly identified and assessed for security, catching potential leaks before they escalate.


• Prioritize Risks: We help you prioritize risks, focusing on the most critical issues first, so you can allocate resources effectively.

By using EASM, you can proactively manage your external attack surface and reduce the risk of API key leaks, as highlighted by Why EASM Is The Foundation of Zero Trust Architecture - CrowdStrike.

TRAVIS ASM's Approach

At TRAVIS ASM, we're not just talking the talk; we're walking the walk when it comes to API key security. Our EASM platform is designed to help you manage your external attack surface effectively, and here's how we tackle API key leaks:

• Asset Discovery: We use advanced scanning to identify all your external assets, including API endpoints, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.


• Vulnerability Assessment: Our assessment tools check for security vulnerabilities in these assets, such as misconfigured servers or exposed keys, aligning with our services outlined at Cybersecurity Services | TRaViS - External Attack Surface Management.


• Risk Management: We prioritize and manage risks, focusing on the most critical issues first, so you can address the biggest threats to your API security.


• Continuous Monitoring: We keep track of changes and new threats, ensuring that your API endpoints are always secure and up-to-date.

By partnering with TRAVIS ASM, you can ensure that your external attack surface, including your API endpoints, is well-managed, reducing the risk of leaks and protecting your business from potential disasters.

Conclusion

API key leaks are a significant threat to your organization's security and reputation. They can lead to data breaches, service disruptions, and compliance violations, costing you money and trust. But by understanding the risks and implementing preventive measures, including the use of EASM, you can protect your business. Remember, it's not a matter of if, but when, a threat will arise. Being proactive is key to staying secure, and at TRAVIS ASM, we're here to help you every step of the way.