šŸ“Š NEW! Voice of Practitioners 2024: The State of Secrets in AppSec

READ REPORT

šŸ“Š NEW! Voice of Practitioners 2024: The State of Secrets in AppSec

READ REPORT
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My Postman API Key leaked! What should I do?

What is a Postman API Key and how it is used?

An API key in Postman is a unique identifier that allows authentication and authorization when making requests to APIs. It helps ensure secure communication between the client and the server by identifying the user and granting access to specific resources.

When using Postman, the API Key is primarily used for:

  • Authenticating and authorizing API requests
  • Accessing restricted resources or endpoints
  • Tracking and monitoring API usage and performance

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1. Code snippets to prevent Postman API Key hardcoding using environment variables

Using environment variables for storing sensitive information like API keys is considered a secure practice because:

  • Environment variables are not hardcoded in the code, making it harder for attackers to access them.
  • Environment variables are not stored in the code repository, reducing the risk of exposure through version control.
  • Environment variables can be easily managed and updated without changing the code itself.
  • Environment variables are specific to the environment in which the code is running, adding an extra layer of security.

How to secure your secrets using environment variables

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2. Code snippet to prevent Postman API Key hardcoding using AWS Secrets Manager

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

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3. Code snippet to prevent Postman API Key hardcoding using HashiCorp Vault

Using HashiCorp Vault for managing Postman API Keys is a great way to enhance security. Here are code snippets in five different programming languages for securely handling a Postman API Key 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 Postman API Key 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.

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4. Code snippet to prevent Postman API Key hardcoding using CyberArk Conjur

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

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How to generate a Postman API Key?

To generate a Postman API Key, follow these steps:

  1. Open Postman and log in to your account.
  2. Click on your account avatar at the top right corner of the screen.
  3. Select "Account Settings" from the dropdown menu.
  4. In the Account Settings page, click on the "API Keys" tab.
  5. Click on the "Generate API Key" button.
  6. Give your API Key a name and click on the "Generate" button.
  7. Your API Key will be generated and displayed on the screen. Make sure to copy and save it securely.

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My Postman API Key leaked, what are the possible reasons?

There are several reasons why a Postman API Key might have been leaked:

  • Improper storage: If the API Key is stored in a public repository or in a file that is accessible to unauthorized users, it can easily be leaked.
  • Weak access controls: If the API Key is shared with too many people or if it is not properly restricted to only those who need access, it increases the risk of leakage.
  • Phishing attacks: Developers may fall victim to phishing attacks where they unknowingly disclose their API Key to malicious actors.
  • Unencrypted communication: If the API Key is transmitted over unsecured channels, it can be intercepted by attackers.
  • Insufficient monitoring: Without proper monitoring and auditing in place, it may be difficult to detect unauthorized access to the API Key.

What are the risks of leaking a Postman API Key

Developers need to be aware of the risks associated with leaking a Postman API Key. The Postman API Key is a sensitive piece of information that, if exposed, can lead to various security vulnerabilities and risks. Here are some of the key risks of leaking a Postman API Key:

  • Unauthorized access: If a Postman API Key is leaked, unauthorized individuals may be able to access and misuse the API, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized actions.
  • Data exposure: Leaking a Postman API Key can expose sensitive data that the API interacts with, putting user information and system data at risk.
  • Financial implications: Unauthorized access to the API due to a leaked key can result in financial losses, such as unauthorized transactions or misuse of paid services.
  • Reputation damage: A security breach resulting from a leaked API Key can damage the reputation of the developer, the organization, and the users who rely on the API.

It is crucial for developers to understand the importance of securely managing and protecting their Postman API Keys to mitigate these risks and ensure the overall security of their applications and systems.

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Postman API Key security best practices

  • Avoid embedding the secret directly in your code. Instead, use environment variables or secrets managersā€
  • Secure storage: store the Postman API Key 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 Postman API Key usage and improve the overall security of your Postman API Key implementations.

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

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Postman API Key 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 Postman API Key was used by malicious actors

  • Review Access Logs: Check the access logs of your Postman API Key account for any unauthorized access or unusual activity. Pay particular attention to access from unfamiliar IP addresses (if you havenā€™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 Postman API Key. This can give insights into any unauthorized use of your key.

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Steps to revoke the Postman API Key

Generate a new Postman API Key:

  • Log into your Postman API Key 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 Postman API Key:

  • 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.

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How to understand which services will stop working

  • Inventory of services: keep an inventory of all services and applications that utilize your Postman API Key.
  • 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.

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What about other secrets?

GitGuardian helps developers keep 350+ types of secrets out of source code. GitGuardianā€™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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Environment Variables
Environment Variables
Environment Variables

charge

nullable string

For card errors, the ID of the failed charge.

payment_method_type

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

doc_url

nullable string

A URL to more information about the error code reported.

request_log_url

nullable string

A URL to the request log entry in your dashboard.

charge

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

Hide
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child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

charge

nullable string

If the error is specific to the type of payment method, the payment method type that had a problem. This field is only populated for invoice-related errors.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

payment_intent

nullable object

The PaymentIntent object for errors returned on a request involving a PaymentIntent.

setup_intent

nullable object

The SetupIntent object for errors returned on a request involving a SetupIntent.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

Hide
Show
child attributes

type

enum

For some errors that could be handled programmatically, a short string indicating the error code reported.

CLIENT LIBRARIES

$ gem install stripe
$ pip install stripe
$ composer require stripe/stripe-php
MAVEN
<dependency>
  <groupId>com.stripe</groupId>
  <artifactId>stripe-java</artifactId>
  <version>24.16.0</version>
</dependency>

GRADLE
compile "com.stripe:stripe-java:24.16.0"
$ npm install --save stripe
$ go get github.com/stripe/stripe-go/v76
$ nuget install Stripe.net
SHOW
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