API Security in 2025: What You Need to Know

1. GraphQL Query Complexity Attacks

Attackers exploit GraphQL's flexible query language to craft deeply nested queries that overwhelm your servers. A single malicious query can bring down your entire infrastructure.

query MaliciousQuery {
  users {
    posts {
      comments {
        author {
          posts {
            comments { ... }  // 100+ levels deep
          }
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

Defense: Implement query complexity analysis and depth limiting. G8KEPR automatically blocks queries exceeding your configured thresholds.

2. JWT Token Manipulation

Weak JWT implementations allow attackers to forge tokens, escalate privileges, or bypass authentication entirely.

Defense: Use RS256 signatures instead of HS256, validate all claims, implement short token lifetimes with refresh tokens, and verify the algorithm header to prevent the "none" algorithm attack.

3. API Parameter Pollution

Sending duplicate parameters with different values can confuse backend logic and bypass security controls.

POST /api/transfer
amount=100&amount=999999&to=attacker

Defense: Strict input validation, reject duplicate parameters, and use schema validation with OpenAPI specs.