SOAP API Pentest

SOAP API Penetration Testing

Expose and fix vulnerabilities across your SOAP API services.

Overview

What this assessment covers.

SOAP web services remain critical in enterprise integrations, exchanging structured data across systems through XML-based protocols. DERISK’s SOAP API Penetration Testing service provides a thorough assessment of your SOAP API security posture, identifying vulnerabilities that could expose sensitive data or enable unauthorised access to backend services.

Our testing covers WSDL analysis, authentication and authorisation controls, XML input validation, business logic flaws, and security configuration reviews. We test SOAP operations across all defined bindings, ensuring comprehensive coverage with findings validated by experts and delivered through the DERISK PTaaS platform.

Our Process

How we test.

A structured, expert-led methodology from initial reconnaissance through to real-time reporting and remediation guidance.

  1. 01

    WSDL Discovery & Enumeration

    We parse WSDL definitions to map every SOAP operation, binding, parameter, and data type your service exposes — including undocumented or deprecated operations — to establish the full scope of testing.

  2. 02

    Authentication & Authorisation Assessment

    We test WS-Security mechanisms, token-based authentication, and access control to ensure users can’t bypass permissions or access another user’s data through SOAP operations.

  3. 03

    XML Input Validation & Injection Testing

    We probe XML input validation, schema enforcement, and application-specific logic to uncover flaws like XXE injection, XML bombs, and parameter tampering in SOAP requests.

  4. 04

    Attack Simulation across SOAP operations

    We simulate real-world attacks — XXE, injection, and excessive data exposure — across all SOAP operations and bindings.

  5. 05

    Real-time findings published to the DERISK PTaaS portal

    Confirmed vulnerabilities appear on the PTaaS portal as they are discovered, with proof-of-concept and remediation guidance for fast action.

  6. 06

    Reporting & Remediation guidance

    You receive a comprehensive report with risk-rated findings, CVSS scores, and SOAP API-specific remediation steps aligned with OWASP API Security Top 10.

Key Strengths

Why teams choose us.

Expert-led, manually validated, and delivered through the DERISK PTaaS platform for continuous visibility and rapid remediation.

Outstanding Features

  • Assessment aligned with the latest OWASP API Security Top 10
  • Real-time visibility into discovered SOAP API vulnerabilities and remediation progress through the DERISK PTaaS platform
  • Testing across all SOAP operations, bindings, and WSDL definitions
  • XXE and XML injection testing beyond automated scanning

Why Choose Our Service?

  • Preventive detection: Discover SOAP API weaknesses before they become entry points for attackers
  • Realistic simulation: Validate security using attack scenarios targeting exposed SOAP services
  • Continuous visibility: Track findings, remediation, and retesting through a centralised PTaaS portal
  • Proactive fortification: Strengthen SOAP API security with practical recommendations tailored to your development lifecycle
Methodology

Frameworks & standards.

Testing is aligned with industry-recognised frameworks and standards to ensure comprehensive, repeatable coverage.

OWASP API Security Top 10
OWASP Testing Guide
PTES
Deliverables

What you receive.

Everything you need to understand, prioritise, and remediate findings — delivered through the platform with ongoing validation.

Security assessment of SOAP API technologies and web services.
Validation against the OWASP API Security Top 10 and XML-specific vulnerabilities.
Detailed findings with exploit evidence and actionable remediation guidance.
Full access to the DERISK PTaaS Platform with live reporting and remediation tracking.
Seamless Jira and Slack integration to automate ticket creation and security notifications.
FAQ

SOAP API Pentest questions.

What is specific to SOAP security testing?

XML-layer attacks that REST does not face: XML external entity (XXE) injection, XML bomb denial of service, signature wrapping, and WS-Security misconfiguration — plus the WSDL itself, which often exposes far more of the service than intended.

Our SOAP services are legacy. Is that a problem?

It is usually the reason to test them. Legacy integrations tend to predate current authorisation standards, run on unpatched middleware, and are trusted implicitly by newer systems — which makes them an attractive pivot point.

What do you need from us?

WSDL definitions, endpoint details, and test credentials for each role. Sample request payloads for complex operations speed things up.

How are findings delivered?

Every engagement runs through the DERISK PTaaS platform, so findings appear live rather than in a PDF weeks later. You get real-time results, collaborative remediation, on-demand retesting, remediation tracking and native Jira and Slack integration.

Ready to secure your assets with SOAP API Pentest?

Get in touch with DERISK to schedule an assessment or learn more about how our expert-led testing can strengthen your security posture.

Request a demo ↗