API security / report template
API Security Assessment Report Template & PDF Example
Use the API Security Assessment template to document API versions, endpoints, roles and tenant boundaries. This page explains the assessment boundaries, evidence expectations and relevant references, alongside a populated PDF example and an editable Vulnotes report template.
A reusable structure for API versions, endpoints, roles and tenant boundaries.
Record API specifications, approved endpoints, methods, access roles and business workflows.
The report includes document control, an executive assessment, scope, coverage, environment context, a findings register, repeatable finding details and remediation tracking.
The PDF is exported from a populated demonstration report saved in Vulnotes. It includes client details, technical findings, evidence figures, CVSS scoring where applicable, severity charts, owners and retest criteria. Download the reusable template from Vulnotes Manager to use its layout and variables with your own report data.
API Security Assessment: scope, evidence and references
The guidance below describes how to scope and document the work. It does not imply that every topic is covered by the sample PDF. Record the reference editions used in your own engagement.
Describe identities, objects and business operations
An API audit needs more than a hostname and an OpenAPI file. Record deployed API versions, endpoint families, methods, authentication mechanisms, roles, tenant contexts and sensitive business operations. Identify differences between the supplied specification and the reviewed implementation.
Document which identities and datasets were available and which workflows were excluded. Separate object-level authorization, property-level authorization and function-level authorization. A successful authentication check does not establish that the caller may access every object, field or operation.
Use the API Top 10 without making it the whole audit
The API Security Top 10:2023 is distinct from the web application Top 10:2025. It includes resource consumption, sensitive business flows, inventory management and consumption of third-party APIs. Preserve the API edition in mappings rather than assigning web category numbers to API categories.
Use an agreed requirement set for verification depth. ASVS can help specify application controls, but endpoint and workflow coverage still belongs in the engagement record. Rate limiting and business abuse requirements need service-specific assumptions about legitimate usage; one universal threshold is not an assessment methodology.
Give developers enough context to close the finding
For each observation, record method, route, API version, identity role, expected policy, observed result and affected data class. Keep sanitized request or response excerpts only where they support the conclusion. Distinguish a gateway configuration from application behavior and identify the responsible team.
Define acceptance evidence for permitted and prohibited cases, including the affected role and tenant combinations. A fixed response code alone may not establish authorization correctness. Document API Top 10 coverage separately from the findings register.
Inside this example report
The 17-page PDF shows how the report is organized. Its example content illustrates the layout; adapt it to the scope and evidence of your own engagement.
- 01
Document control and executive assessment
Identify the issue, recipients, supported conclusion, priorities and verified strengths.
- 02
Scope and coverage
Record API specifications, approved endpoints, methods, access roles and business workflows.
- 03
Environment and evidence
Document the endpoint, method, tested identity, expected behavior and redacted supporting evidence.
- 04
Findings and remediation
Document observations, impact, correction, owner and acceptance evidence. Finding pages repeat from report findings.
- 05
Retest and limitations
Record retest results, scoring methodology, assumptions and residual uncertainty.
Make the report useful to its readers
Record actual coverage
Distinguish verified controls, observed gaps, untested areas and justified exclusions.
Keep the evidence traceable
Document the endpoint, method, tested identity, expected behavior and redacted supporting evidence.
Personalize before delivery
Replace completion guidance and sample rows, enter the assessment provider, review dates and recipient list, and inspect the final export.
Make it your own in Vulnotes
- 1
Download your template from Vulnotes Manager
Sign in to Vulnotes Manager, download this template and add it to your instance. Select it when creating a report to reuse its layout, report variables and finding sections. The public PDF shows an example of the finished output.
- 2
Let Vulnotes fill the connected variables
The template includes variables connected to your report: client details, engagement dates, findings and severity statistics where used. Vulnotes fills these from the data saved in your report. Add your findings and complete assessment-specific sections such as scope, analysis and conclusions; automatic population does not replace that work. Match the finding fields and categories expected by the template.
- 3
Edit the structure and visual design
Change page layout, orientation, margins, fonts, colors, branding, headers and footers in the template editor. Edit or replace tables, chart settings, images, code blocks and section labels. Heading numbering and the table of contents can be adapted to your delivery conventions. Text embedded inside an image must be changed in the source image or replaced.
- 4
Adapt the data bindings
Report variables hold engagement-specific content. Finding loops and filters control repeatable sections; charts and score tables can use report data. Review these bindings when renaming fields or changing the finding structure. Individually authored slide summaries still need editorial updates when findings change.
- 5
Write, review and deliver
Create your report with its client, scope and dates. Replace the example content, add your findings, review the preview and export the finished document.
Common questions
What does the download contain?
A reusable English template from Vulnotes Manager, including its document layout, styling and report variables. Vulnotes fills connected variables from your report data; complete the assessment-specific sections and use the finding fields expected by the template.
Can I use the PDF as an audit result?
No. This is a sample deliverable. Complete the reusable template with your engagement scope, evidence and review decisions before client delivery.
Does the template establish compliance?
No. Record the reference versions, actual coverage, evidence and exclusions applicable to your engagement. A reference mapping alone does not establish compliance.
What export formats are available in Vulnotes?
Vulnotes exports reports as PDF, editable Word documents (DOCX), Excel spreadsheets (XLSX), structured report data (JSON), and ZIP archives containing the report PDF and attachments, with optional password protection. XLSX lets you select finding fields and report content sections. You can also export selected findings as a partial PDF or DOCX report. The client portal additionally offers CSV exports of findings when enabled by the administrator. Read the export documentation.