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<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
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---
name: implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting
description: >-
  Implement rate limiting and throttling for APIs to prevent abuse, brute force attacks, and denial of service.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: secure-coding
tags:
  - rate-limiting
  - throttling
  - api-abuse
  - brute-force-prevention
  - dos-protection
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1498"]
  cwe: ["CWE-770"]
  tools: ["nginx", "redis", "express-rate-limit"]
---

# Implementing Secure Api Rate Limiting

## Overview

Implement rate limiting and throttling for APIs to prevent abuse, brute force attacks, and denial of service.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `nginx` | Security tooling |
| `redis` | Security tooling |
| `express-rate-limit` | 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/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/{output,logs,artifacts}

# Execute primary analysis with nginx
echo "[*] Running Implementing Secure Api Rate Limiting with nginx..."

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

# Generate summary report
cat /tmp/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/output/report.json
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

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

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with nginx
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Implementing Secure Api Rate Limiting with nginx..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

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

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/output/primary.json /tmp/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "implementing-secure-api-rate-limiting",
  "domain": "secure-coding",
  "tools_used": ["nginx", "redis"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Secure Api Rate Limiting Detection
id: 1c402018-c565-4ffd-bfbc-5e38d96564e9
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to implementing secure api rate limiting techniques in secure coding context
logsource:
  category: application
  product: webserver
detection:
  selection:
    EventType: error
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1498
  - attack.initial_access
falsepositives:
  - Static analysis tools scanning source code repositories
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Secure Api Rate Limiting Detection | webserver/application | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1498 |

## 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 T1498](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1498) — Related technique
- [nginx Documentation](https://nginx.org/) — Primary tooling
- [redis Reference](https://redis.org/) — Secondary tooling
