Sensitive endpoints
Security tests can be powerful. Some probes are safe to run almost anywhere, such as header checks. Others can create data, send attack payloads, or generate traffic bursts. Sensitive endpoint controls tell Qodex what it is allowed to do in each environment. Use these controls to keep production safe while still getting meaningful security coverage in staging or preview environments.The three environment constraints
Each environment can define three constraints:
The constraints combine. For example, a production environment can be read-only, rate-limited, and destructive-test disabled. A dedicated QA environment can allow broader probes.
Example configuration
Recommended defaults
Production should usually receive safe checks such as security-header audits, cookie audits, TLS checks, and read-only authorization probes. Write-side IDOR, mass assignment, injection, and high-volume rate-limit tests belong on staging or preview environments.
What happens when a probe is blocked
When constraints block a probe, Qodex handles it in one of three ways:
For example, on a
read_only: true environment, a BOLA check can still test GET /api/orders/{id} with the wrong user token, but Qodex should skip the PUT and DELETE versions.
The runner also enforces rate limits, so a manually authored scenario cannot bypass the configured request ceiling.
Checking constraints in chat
Before running a security sweep, you can ask:When to tighten constraints
- The environment points to production or production data.
- The endpoint changes billing, permissions, users, or account state.
- The test includes brute-force, fuzzing, or burst behavior.
- The target is shared with customers or internal teams.
- You are not sure whether the endpoint has idempotent cleanup.
Related
Security scenarios
Learn how constraints shape the scenarios Qodex authors.
OWASP API Top 10 in Qodex
See which probes may need write access or higher rate limits.
Inverted semantics
Understand how security pass and fail states work.
Auth profiles
Configure roles for BOLA, IDOR, and privilege-escalation tests.