Testing Websocket Api Security

---
name: testing-websocket-api-security
description: Use when tests WebSocket API implementations for security vulnerabilities
  including missing authentication on WebSocket upgrade, Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking
  (CSWSH), injection attacks through WebSocket messages, insufficient input validation,
  denial-of-service via message flooding, and information leakage through WebSocket
  frames. The tester intercepts WebSocket handshakes and messages using Burp Suite,
  crafts malicious payloads, and tests for authorization bypass on WebSocket channels.
domain: cybersecurity
tags:
- api-security
- websocket
- cswsh
- real-time
- injection
- authentication
subdomain: api-security
version: 1.0.0
author: oyi77
license: Apache-2.0
nist_csf:
- PR.PS-01
- ID.RA-01
- PR.DS-10
- DE.CM-01
category: cybersecurity
---

# Testing Websocket Api Security

## Overview

Cybersecurity skill for testing websocket api security. Follows industry best practices and security standards.

## When to Use
**Trigger phrases:**
- "testing websocket api security"
- "Tests WebSocket API implementations for security vulnerabilities including missi"


- Assessing real-time communication APIs that use WebSocket (ws://) or Secure WebSocket (wss://) protocols
- Testing for Cross-Site WebSocket Hijacking (CSWSH) where an attacker's page connects to a legitimate WebSocket server
- Evaluating authentication and authorization enforcement on WebSocket connections and messages
- Testing input validation on WebSocket message payloads for injection vulnerabilities
- Assessing WebSocket implementations for denial-of-service through message flooding or oversized frames

**Do not use** without written authorization. WebSocket testing may disrupt real-time services and affect other connected users.


## When NOT to Use

- When you lack proper authorization for testing
- For production systems without change management
- When the task requires legal or compliance expertise beyond technical scope


## Prerequisites

- Written authorization specifying the WebSocket endpoint and testing scope
- Burp Suite Professional with WebSocket interception capability
- Python 3.10+ with `websockets` and `asyncio` libraries
- Browser developer tools for observing WebSocket handshakes and frames
- wscat CLI tool for manual WebSocket interaction: `npm install -g wscat`
- Knowledge of the WebSocket subprotocol in use (JSON-RPC, STOMP, custom)

## Workflow

```python
# Example: IOC detection
import re

IOC_PATTERNS = {
    "ip": r"\b(?:\d{1,3}\.){3}\d{1,3}\b",
    "domain": r"\b[a-z0-9-]+\.[a-z]{2,}\b",
    "hash_md5": r"\b[a-f0-9]{32}\b",
    "hash_sha256": r"\b[a-f0-9]{64}\b",
}

def extract_iocs(text: str) -> dict:
    return {k: re.findall(v, text) for k, v in IOC_PATTERNS.items()}
```

1. **Reconnaissance** — Gather information about the target related to websocket api security. Identify attack surface.
2. **Vulnerability Identification** — Enumerate potential websocket api security weaknesses using automated and manual techniques.
3. **Exploit Development/Selection** — Choose or develop exploits targeting identified websocket api security vulnerabilities.
4. **Execution** — Execute the websocket api security test in a controlled manner with proper authorization.
5. **Post-Exploitation** — Document the impact and extent of successful exploitation.
6. **Reporting** — Write detailed findings with reproduction steps, impact assessment, and remediation guidance.

## Tools

- **Vulnerability Scanner** — Automated weakness identification
- **Exploitation Framework** — Controlled exploitation testing
- **Reporting Tool** — Findings documentation and tracking


## Process

1. **Reconnaissance** — Gather target information, identify attack surface, enumerate services
1. **Analysis/Exploitation** — Execute the technique, analyze results, document findings
1. **Reporting** — Document IOCs, write findings, provide remediation recommendations

## Verification

- [ ] All websocket api security procedures executed completely and documented
- [ ] Findings validated against multiple data sources
- [ ] False positives identified and filtered
- [ ] Results documented with evidence and timestamps
- [ ] Recommendations provided with risk-based prioritization

## Anti-Rationalization Table

| Rationalization | Reality |
|---|---|
| "We are too small to be targeted" | Automated attacks target everyone. Size does not matter. |
| "Security slows us down" | A breach slows you down 100x more. Build security in from the start. |
| "We will fix it after launch" | Vulnerabilities in production are exploited within hours. Fix before deploy. |