Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA), also known as Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR), consistently ranks as the number one vulnerability in the OWASP API Security Top 10. It occurs when an API endpoint takes an object identifier from user input without verifying that the requesting user owns that object.
Why single-account scanners can never find BOLA
A scanner operating with a single user account can never detect BOLA. If User A requests `/api/invoices/100` and receives a 200 OK response with invoice data, the scanner cannot determine whether invoice 100 belongs to User A or to User B. To the scanner, the request appears completely legitimate.
- Single-user tests cannot distinguish valid access from unauthorized access.
- Random UUID identifiers make objects harder to guess, but do not prevent unauthorized access if the ID is discovered.
- Automated tools that do not test across account boundaries miss the most prevalent API vulnerability in production.
The BugSnaps paired-account testing methodology
In deep assessment modes, BugSnaps MyPentest can utilize two distinct test accounts: Account A and Account B. The engine identifies records created by Account B and tests whether Account A's session can read, update, or delete those records through direct endpoint requests.
By comparing actual data returned across distinct tenant contexts, BugSnaps provides definitive, proven detection of cross-user authorization failures.