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User enumeration

As explained in Secure APIs

User enumeration is the discovery of which user identities or accounts are registered in a system.

User enumeration is discovering which user identities or accounts are registered in a system. It becomes a risk when an authentication flow reveals whether a submitted username or email exists. section 4.4

Multistep login flow

A login flow first asks for a username or email. If it is unregistered, the system prompts the visitor to create an account; if registered, it continues to request a password. Without strong threat detection support, this difference lets threat actors identify registered accounts. section 4.4

Enumeration exposes useful identity information and can support attacks such as credential stuffing, where leaked credentials are tried against accounts on another website. Threat detection is therefore important when designing or operating multistep login flows. section 4.4

How Secure APIs covers it

How deep it goes
Explains the discovery mechanism and attacker opportunity, but stops short of implementation-specific defenses or testing procedures.
Examples
Uses a username-or-email-first login flow that branches into account creation or password entry.
What it assumes
Assumes basic familiarity with user accounts and login flows while explaining the attack in plain language.
What you can do after
Evaluate multistep login flows for responses that reveal whether submitted identities are registered.
How it connects
Connects user enumeration with authentication, multistep login, credential stuffing, and threat detection.

Related concepts

This explainer was generated by Manning's knowledge graph from the text of Secure APIs. The section links point to the parts of the book it draws on.