<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
<!-- NERF is a trademark of defconxt. -->
---
name: performing-api-reverse-engineering
description: >-
  Reverse engineer undocumented APIs by intercepting, analyzing, and documenting API calls and data structures.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: reverse-engineering
tags:
  - api-reversing
  - interception
  - protocol-analysis
  - documentation
  - rest-api
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1106"]
  cwe: ["CWE-693"]
  tools: ["mitmproxy", "burpsuite", "frida", "postman"]
---

# Performing Api Reverse Engineering

## Overview

Reverse engineer undocumented APIs by intercepting, analyzing, and documenting API calls and data structures.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `mitmproxy` | Security tooling |
| `burpsuite` | Security tooling |
| `frida` | Security tooling |
| `postman` | Security tooling |
| Isolated lab environment for testing | Environment requirement |
| Authorization and signed Rules of Engagement (RoE) | Environment requirement |
| Relevant target samples or systems acquired through authorized channels | Environment requirement |

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Initialize working environment
mkdir -p /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/{output,logs,artifacts}

# Execute primary analysis with mitmproxy
echo "[*] Running Performing Api Reverse Engineering with mitmproxy..."

# Validate results with burpsuite
echo "[*] Cross-validating with burpsuite..."

# Generate summary report
cat /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/output/report.json
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

```bash
# Identify target and gather initial intelligence
file ./target_sample
mitmproxy --version 2>/dev/null || echo "Install mitmproxy"

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with mitmproxy
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Performing Api Reverse Engineering with mitmproxy..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

```bash
# Apply burpsuite for secondary analysis
echo "[*] Deep investigation with burpsuite..."

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/output/primary.json /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/performing-api-reverse-engineering/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "performing-api-reverse-engineering",
  "domain": "reverse-engineering",
  "tools_used": ["mitmproxy", "burpsuite"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Api Reverse Engineering Detection
id: defde2fd-1e55-4ddb-ab7a-b9599f5bac4a
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to performing api reverse engineering techniques in reverse engineering context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*performing*api*"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1106
  - attack.defense_evasion
falsepositives:
  - Malware analysis sandbox performing automated binary inspection
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Api Reverse Engineering Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1106 |

## Verification

- [ ] Environment and tools verified and operational
- [ ] Target samples acquired through authorized channels
- [ ] Primary analysis completed with findings documented
- [ ] Secondary validation performed with independent tooling
- [ ] All artifacts preserved in structured output directory
- [ ] Detection opportunities documented for blue team

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK T1106](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1106) — Related technique
- [mitmproxy Documentation](https://mitmproxy.org/) — Primary tooling
- [burpsuite Reference](https://burpsuite.org/) — Secondary tooling
