My Freshdesk API Token leaked! What should I do?

What is a Freshdesk API Token and how it is used?

A Freshdesk API Token is a unique identifier that allows developers to authenticate and authorize their applications to access the Freshdesk API. It is used to securely communicate with the Freshdesk platform and perform various actions such as retrieving data or making updates.

Here are the main use cases for Freshdesk API Token:

Authentication: API tokens are used to authenticate and authorize requests made to the Freshdesk API. Developers can generate a unique API token to securely access and interact with Freshdesk's resources.
Integration: API tokens are essential for integrating Freshdesk with other applications and services. By using API tokens, developers can establish seamless communication and data exchange between Freshdesk and external systems.
Automation: API tokens enable developers to automate various tasks within Freshdesk, such as ticket management, customer interactions, and reporting. By utilizing API tokens, developers can streamline processes and enhance efficiency in their workflows.

1. Code snippets to prevent Freshdesk API Token hardcoding using environment variables

Using environment variables for storing sensitive information like API tokens is a good security practice because:

Environment variables are not hard-coded in the codebase, reducing the risk of accidental exposure.
Environment variables are stored outside of the code repository, adding an additional layer of security.
Environment variables can be easily managed and rotated without changing the code itself.
Environment variables are specific to the environment in which the code is running, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access.

How to secure your secrets using environment variables

2. Code snippet to prevent Freshdesk API Token hardcoding using AWS Secrets Manager

Using AWS Secrets Manager to manage Freshdesk API Tokens is a secure way to handle sensitive data. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages that demonstrate how to retrieve the Freshdesk API Token from AWS Secrets Manager.

3. Code snippet to prevent Freshdesk API Token hardcoding using HashiCorp Vault

Using HashiCorp Vault for managing Freshdesk API Tokens is a great way to enhance security. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages for securely handling a Freshdesk API Token using HashiCorp Vault.

Remember to replace the VAULT_ADDR and VAULT_TOKEN with your Vault server address and authentication token. The snippets assume that the Freshdesk API Token is stored under the api_key field within Vault. The specifics of the Vault path and field names should be adjusted to match your Vault setup.

4. Code snippet to prevent Freshdesk API Token hardcoding using CyberArk Conjur

Using CyberArk Conjur to manage Freshdesk API Token is a secure way to handle sensitive data. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages that demonstrate how to retrieve the Freshdesk API Token from CyberArk Conjur.

How to generate a Freshdesk API Token?

To generate a Freshdesk API Token, follow these steps:

Log in to your Freshdesk account.
Go to your profile settings.
Click on the "Profile Settings" option.
Under the "Your API Key" section, click on the "Generate your API key" button.
A unique API token will be generated for you. Copy this token and use it for authenticating API requests.

My Freshdesk API Token leaked, what are the possible reasons?

There are several reasons why a Freshdesk API Token might have been leaked:

Weak or easily guessable passwords used to generate the API Token
Storing the API Token in plaintext in code repositories or configuration files
Accidental exposure of the API Token in logs or error messages
Sharing the API Token with unauthorized third parties
Using insecure communication channels to transmit the API Token

What are the risks of leaking a Freshdesk API Token

When it comes to the Freshdesk API Token, it is crucial for developers to understand the risks associated with leaking this sensitive information. Here are some key points to consider:

Unauthorized Access: If a Freshdesk API Token is leaked, unauthorized individuals could potentially gain access to your Freshdesk account and sensitive customer data.
Data Breach: Leaking the API Token could lead to a data breach, compromising the confidentiality and integrity of customer information stored in Freshdesk.
Account Takeover: Hackers could use the leaked API Token to take control of your Freshdesk account, making unauthorized changes and potentially causing harm to your organization's reputation.
Financial Loss: A security breach resulting from a leaked API Token could lead to financial losses due to legal fees, compensation for affected customers, and damage control efforts.
Reputation Damage: A security incident caused by a leaked API Token can severely damage your organization's reputation and erode customer trust in your services.

Freshdesk API Token security best practices

Avoid embedding the secret directly in your code. Instead, use environment variables or secrets managers‍
Secure storage: store the Freshdesk API Token in a secure location, such as a password manager or a secrets management service.
Regular rotation: periodically rotate the API key to minimize the risk of long-term exposure.
Restrict permissions: apply the principle of least privilege by only granting the key the minimum necessary permissions.
Monitor usage: regularly check the usage logs for any unusual activity or unauthorized access attempts.
Implement access controls: limit the number of users who have access to the secret and enforce strong authentication measures.
Use a secrets manager: utilize secret management tools like CyberArk or AWS Secrets Manager for enhanced security.

By adhering to the best practices, you can significantly reduce the risk associated with Freshdesk API Token usage and improve the overall security of your Freshdesk API Token implementations.

Exposing secrets on GitHub: What to do after leaking Credential and API keys

Freshdesk API Token leak remediation: what to do

What to do if you expose a secret: How to stay calm and respond to an incident [cheat sheet included]

How to check if Freshdesk API Token was used by malicious actors

Review Access Logs: Check the access logs of your Freshdesk API Token account for any unauthorized access or unusual activity. Pay particular attention to access from unfamiliar IP addresses (if you haven’t set up a specific allow list) or at odd hours.
Monitor Usage Patterns: Look for anomalies in the usage patterns, such as unexpected spikes in data access or transfer.
Check Active Connections and Operations: Review the list of active connections and recent operations on your database. Unusual or unauthorized operations might indicate malicious use.
Audit API Usage: If possible, audit the usage of your API key through any logging or monitoring services you have integrated with Freshdesk API Token. This can give insights into any unauthorized use of your key.

Steps to revoke the Freshdesk API Token

Generate a new Freshdesk API Token:

Log into your Freshdesk API Token account.
Navigate to the API section and generate a new API key.

Update Services with the new key:

Replace the compromised key with the new key in all your services that use this API key.
Ensure all your applications and services are updated with the new key before deactivating the old one.

Deactivate the old Freshdesk API Token:

Once the new key is in place and everything is functioning correctly, deactivate the old API key.
This can typically be done from the same section where you generated the new key.

Monitor after key rotation:

After deactivating the old key, monitor your systems closely to ensure that all services are running smoothly and that there are no unauthorized access attempts.

How to understand which services will stop working

Inventory of services: keep an inventory of all services and applications that utilize your Freshdesk API Token.
Communication and documentation: Ensure that your team is aware of which services are dependent on the key. Maintain documentation for quick reference.
Testing: before deactivating the old key, test your services with the new key in a staging environment. This helps in identifying any services that might face issues post rotation.
Fallback strategies: Have a fallback or emergency plan in case a critical service fails after the key rotation. This might include temporary measures or quick rollback procedures.

In summary, the remediation process involves identifying potential misuse, carefully rotating the key, and ensuring minimal disruption to services. Being proactive and having a well-documented process can greatly reduce the risks associated with a compromised API key.

What about other secrets?

GitGuardian helps developers keep 350+ types of secrets out of source code. GitGuardian’s automated secrets detection and remediation solution secure every step of the development lifecycle, from code to cloud:

On developer workstations with git hooks (pre-commit and pre-push);
On code sharing platforms like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket;
In CI environments (Circle CI, Travis CI, Jenkins CI, GitHub Actions, and many more);
In Docker images.

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CLIENT LIBRARIES

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STRIPE-RUBY

$ pip install stripe

STRIPE-PYTHON

$ composer require stripe/stripe-php

STRIPE-PHP

MAVEN
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STRIPE-NODE

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STRIPE-NODE

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STRIPE-NODE

$ nuget install Stripe.net

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