API Rate Limiting Bypass
1-minute read
What it is
An API Rate Limiting Bypass occurs when attackers exploit weaknesses in throttling mechanisms to send a high volume of requests without restriction. It can stem from misconfigured limits, missing enforcement across endpoints, or trust in client-side controls instead of server-side enforcement.
Why it matters
Without effective rate limiting, APIs become vulnerable to credential brute forcing, data scraping, abuse of paid resources, and denial-of-service conditions. Attackers can drain resources, inflate operational costs, or systematically extract sensitive data over time.
How to reduce risk
- Enforce server-side rate limits per IP, user, and token
- Apply limits consistently across every API route and method
- Monitor request patterns for abuse, anomalies, and distributed attacks
Related Terms: API Misconfiguration, Credential Stuffing, Missing Rate Limiting
External Resources:
- OWASP API Security – Rate Limiting: https://owasp.org/API-Security/editions/2023/en/0x11-rate-limiting/