Akto as a CI security gate
What middleBrick covers
- Black-box API scanning with under one minute runtime
- Risk score A–F with prioritized findings
- OWASP API Top 10 (2023) coverage and mapping
- Authenticated scans with token and cookie support
- CI/CD integration via CLI and GitHub Action
- Continuous monitoring and diff detection across scans
CI security gate requirements
A CI security gate must decide quickly whether a merge or deploy can proceed. It needs an automated signal, a low false-positive rate, and a clear path for developers to act on findings. The gate should integrate with existing pull request workflows and block merges only when risk exceeds an agreed threshold.
How this scanner operates in CI
This scanner is a black-box API security scanner that runs in under a minute using only read-only methods. You submit a URL, and it returns a risk score from A to F with prioritized findings. In CI, you can invoke the CLI to scan a staging environment before merging, ensuring no new critical issues are introduced.
Example CLI usage in a pipeline:
middlebrick scan https://staging.example.com --output json
The output can be parsed by scripts to gate the build based on score or specific findings.
Mapping to compliance frameworks
The scanner maps findings to PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023). For PCI-DSS 4.0, it surfaces controls related to authentication and encryption. For SOC 2 Type II, it highlights evidence around access controls and monitoring. For OWASP API Top 10 (2023), it categorizes issues such as broken object level authorization and injection risks.
For other frameworks, the scanner helps you prepare for and aligns with security controls described in regulations such as HIPAA and GDPR. It supports audit evidence for internal reviews but does not certify compliance.
Authenticated scanning in CI
Authenticated scans increase coverage of protected endpoints. Provide tokens or cookies via environment variables, and the scanner validates domain ownership through DNS TXT records or HTTP well-known files. Only whitelisted headers are forwarded, limiting scope and reducing noise in CI logs.
Example header setup:
curl -H "Authorization: Bearer $TOKEN" https://staging.example.com/health
Use authenticated scans in later pipeline stages after deployment to a test environment.
Limitations and complementary testing
The scanner does not perform active SQL injection or command injection, as those require intrusive payloads outside its scope. It does not detect business logic vulnerabilities or blind SSRF, which require domain context and out-of-band infrastructure. It does not replace a human pentester for high-stakes audits. Treat it as a fast, repeatable guardrail rather than a comprehensive audit.