API security scanning explained
An API security scanner evaluates your endpoints for design and configuration weaknesses. APISAST performs static scanning against the OpenAPI contract, while also giving you guidance on when to pair results with dynamic checks. The outcome is a prioritized list of issues that developers can fix quickly, without staging data or live traffic.
Static vs dynamic API scanning
Static scanning (APISAST)
- • Works directly on OpenAPI/Swagger files
- • Finds missing auth, weak error handling, unbounded access
- • No test data or environments required
- • Fast enough for pull-request gates
Dynamic scanning (DAST)
- • Sends traffic to running endpoints
- • Surfaces runtime issues like CORS, rate limits, SSRF
- • Needs stable staging data and auth tokens
- • Best after static issues are fixed
Combine both for full coverage; start static to prevent design debt.
Features of the APISAST scanner
- 29+ analysis rules: authentication, authorization, data exposure, pagination, error contracts, and documentation quality.
- OWASP API Top 10 coverage: mapped findings for BOLA, broken auth, excessive data exposure, and unsafe consumption.
- RFC 7807 compliance: checks that error responses include problem type, title, status, and traceable detail.
- CI/CD ready: identical rulesets in UI and pipeline to block risky changes before merge.
- Report sharing: exportable summaries for security reviews and vendor assessments.
Need OpenAPI specifics? Visit the OpenAPI security scanner page.
How to perform a scan
- Upload or paste the OpenAPI file, or provide a secure URL to the spec.
- Select the rule profile (standard or comprehensive) to match your risk tolerance.
- Run the scan and review findings grouped by severity with remediation steps.
- Share a read-only report link with developers, product owners, or auditors.
- Automate via CI to enforce the same checks on every pull request.
Use cases and industries
Financial services
Protect account APIs from broken object authorization and ensure audit-ready error messages.
Retail & eCommerce
Prevent price scraping and enforce pagination and rate limiting on catalog endpoints.
IoT & devices
Secure device control APIs with strict scopes and predictable error formats.
Looking for more technical depth? Read the SAST testing for APIs guide.
Call to action
Upload your spec on the home page or connect CI to block risky changes automatically. If you want to compare static vs dynamic approaches, bookmark this page and cross-link to the API security SAST tools overview.