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---
name: implementing-zero-trust-api-security
description: >-
  Implement zero trust principles for API security including mutual TLS, token validation, and request-level authorization.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: zero-trust
tags:
  - api-security
  - mutual-tls
  - token-validation
  - request-authorization
  - api-gateway
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1106"]
  cwe: ["CWE-862"]
  tools: ["kong", "apigee", "istio"]
---

# Implementing Zero Trust Api Security

## Overview

Implement zero trust principles for API security including mutual TLS, token validation, and request-level authorization.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `kong` | Security tooling |
| `apigee` | Security tooling |
| `istio` | 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-zero-trust-api-security/{output,logs,artifacts}

# Execute primary analysis with kong
echo "[*] Running Implementing Zero Trust Api Security with kong..."

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

# Generate summary report
cat /tmp/implementing-zero-trust-api-security/output/report.json
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

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

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/implementing-zero-trust-api-security/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with kong
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Implementing Zero Trust Api Security with kong..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/implementing-zero-trust-api-security/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

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

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/implementing-zero-trust-api-security/output/primary.json /tmp/implementing-zero-trust-api-security/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/implementing-zero-trust-api-security/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "implementing-zero-trust-api-security",
  "domain": "zero-trust",
  "tools_used": ["kong", "apigee"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Zero Trust Api Security Detection
id: ca1695fa-ecc4-4325-b946-6519e60cd68c
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to implementing zero trust api security techniques in zero trust context
logsource:
  category: authentication
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    EventType: authentication
    Status: failure
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1106
  - attack.lateral_movement
falsepositives:
  - Zero trust policy engine evaluating routine access requests
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Zero Trust Api Security Detection | windows/authentication | 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
- [kong Documentation](https://kong.org/) — Primary tooling
- [apigee Reference](https://apigee.org/) — Secondary tooling
