Gepubliceerd op 29 sep 2025

How to Verify Data Integrity in Vehicle APIs

Maxwell

@carsxe_api

How to Verify Data Integrity in Vehicle APIs

Data integrity in vehicle APIs ensures accuracy, consistency, and security of critical information like VINs, diagnostics, and recalls. Without proper checks, errors or attacks can lead to financial losses, safety risks, or trust issues. Here's how to safeguard your data:

Common Threats:
- MITM Attacks: Intercepted communications can lead to stolen or manipulated data.
- Data Tampering & Replay Attacks: Altered or duplicated requests can corrupt data or misuse valid information.
Key Security Measures:
- HTTPS & TLS: Encrypts data to prevent interception.
- DNSSEC & Certificate Pinning: Verifies server authenticity to block malicious endpoints.
- Digital Signatures: Detects payload tampering during transmission.
Verification Steps:
- Validate data formats (e.g., 17-character VINs).
- Authenticate payloads with HMAC-SHA256 or JWTs.
- Use tools like OpenSSL for certificate checks and logs to monitor anomalies.
Tools for Developers:
- Libraries like Ajv (JavaScript) and Marshmallow (Python) for schema validation.
- Encryption tools like OpenSSL and getdns for secure connections.
- Blockchain frameworks like Hyperledger Aries for tamper-proof records.

Takeaway: Combine schema validation, encryption, and endpoint authentication to protect vehicle data. Use tools tailored to your tech stack for efficient implementation.

Ensuring API Security in Connected Vehicles - DevConf 2025

Common Threats to Vehicle Data Integrity

Vehicle APIs are essential for delivering accurate and reliable data, but they’re not immune to serious security threats. These vulnerabilities can compromise the integrity of the data, which is critical for financial decisions, safety outcomes, and overall trust in the system. Let’s explore two major threats that developers must address to ensure vehicle data remains reliable.

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks

Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks are one of the most dangerous threats to vehicle API data. As explained by security experts at Pynt.io:

A Man in the Middle (MitM) attack is where the attacker intercepts communication between two parties, often to steal or manipulate the data being exchanged. In the context of APIs, an attacker could intercept API calls to steal sensitive data or inject malicious code.

In the world of vehicle APIs, MITM attacks often occur when attackers intercept communications between a vehicle and cloud services or between a mobile app and API endpoints. For instance, a mechanic using CarsXE's API to decode OBD codes might unknowingly receive altered results due to such an attack.

The consequences of these attacks go beyond simple data theft. George McGregor, VP at Approov, highlights the importance of securing these connections:

Runtime security is necessary to secure the channel from the car to the cloud-based services from being intercepted by man-in-the-middle attacks.

When attackers successfully intercept API calls, they can steal sensitive data, manipulate information, or inject malicious code, potentially compromising the entire data stream. For businesses, this could mean making critical decisions based on faulty data - like a dealership overpaying for vehicles due to altered market values or an insurance company approving claims based on falsified vehicle histories.

Data Tampering and Replay Attacks

Data tampering and replay attacks pose additional risks to vehicle API integrity. These attacks can distort or misuse data, leading to inaccurate results. For example, attackers might modify vehicle data to manipulate VIN decoding or market value calculations. They could also capture a valid API request for high-value vehicle data and replay it repeatedly, creating false inventory records. In another scenario, tampering with recall information could remove critical safety notices, putting vehicle owners at risk.

Modern systems, while more advanced, can also amplify these risks. Ted Miracco, CEO of Approov, explains how zero-trust systems can help mitigate such threats:

Zero-trust systems can verify not only the user, but the physical devices, and the authenticity of an application seeking permission to gain entry to vehicles, access user data including location or payment information, or even start an engine or control the vehicle remotely.

Replay attacks are particularly dangerous because they exploit legitimate data in unauthorized ways. For instance, an attacker might capture a valid API call requesting vehicle history and replay it weeks later to access updated information without proper authorization.

The impact of these threats grows even larger on global platforms. A successful data tampering attack could corrupt vehicle specifications across entire databases, affecting thousands of users who depend on accurate data for purchases, insurance quotes, or safety recalls. This highlights the need for strong verification measures to protect vehicle data at every level.

Protocols for Secure Data Transmission

Once you’ve identified the risks that can threaten vehicle API data, the next step is to put in place measures that ensure secure data transmission. These protocols act as a shield, guarding sensitive information from interception, tampering, or theft during its journey.

Using HTTPS and TLS Encryption

To defend against threats like Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks, secure transmission protocols are a must. HTTPS, paired with TLS encryption, is the backbone of safe vehicle API communication. This combination ensures that every piece of data - whether it’s VINs, market values, or recall information from CarsXE's API - is shielded from unauthorized access.

TLS (Transport Layer Security) works by creating an encrypted tunnel between your application and the API server. Even if someone intercepts the data, TLS ensures it remains indecipherable. To stay ahead of potential vulnerabilities, always use TLS 1.2 or higher, as earlier versions have known weaknesses that attackers can exploit.

The process starts with a TLS handshake, where cryptographic keys are exchanged to establish encryption. Once this connection is set up, all data transmitted is both encrypted and authenticated. For vehicle APIs managing sensitive details like financial transactions or diagnostic reports, HTTPS isn’t just a good idea - it’s essential to block malicious attempts at interception.

Implementing DNSSEC and Certificate Pinning

While HTTPS encrypts data, additional steps are needed to confirm that your app is communicating with the correct API server. This is where DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) comes into play. DNSSEC ensures that domain name resolutions are accurate and haven’t been altered, preventing attackers from redirecting your API requests to harmful endpoints.

Certificate pinning takes security a step further by tying a specific TLS certificate or public key directly to the API server. By embedding the server’s certificate or public key within your application, you can verify that every connection matches a pre-approved value. If the certificate doesn’t align with the pinned one, the connection is blocked - even if the certificate appears valid. This provides a reliable way to confirm the server’s identity, significantly reducing the risk of MITM attacks.

There are two main ways to implement certificate pinning: embedding the full X.509 certificate (Certificate Pinning) or just the server’s public key (Public Key Pinning). Public key pinning is often preferred since public keys change less frequently, making maintenance easier.

That said, certificate pinning requires careful oversight. Over the years, certificate validity periods have shortened dramatically - from up to 96 months before 2011 to just 1 year in 2024. Google Chrome is even pushing for certificates to have a maximum lifespan of 3 months. This means you’ll need robust processes in place to update pinned certificates before they expire.

The need for these protocols is clear when you consider that 63% of Android apps are vulnerable to attacks. For vehicle APIs dealing with critical data like recall alerts or diagnostic trouble codes, adopting these security measures is vital - not just for safeguarding users, but also for maintaining your business’s reputation.

How to Verify Data Integrity in Vehicle APIs

Once you've secured data transmission, the next step is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data itself. These verification methods work alongside secure transmission protocols to protect your vehicle API integrations from data corruption or malicious interference.

Step 1: Validate Data Schema

Schema validation ensures that all incoming and outgoing data follows the correct structure and format. For instance, VINs should always have 17 characters, dates should use the MM/DD/YYYY format, and market prices must be in the appropriate currency.

To achieve this, define JSON schemas for each API endpoint. These schemas should outline required fields, data types, and acceptable value ranges. For example, when handling VIN decoding responses, confirm that the model year is realistic and that engine displacement values are positive.

Validate payloads as soon as they are received to catch errors like missing fields, incorrect data types, or formatting issues before they cause downstream problems. Popular libraries like Joi (for Node.js) or Cerberus (for Python) can help automate this process. Keep in mind edge cases - such as electric vehicles reporting zero engine displacement or classic cars with non-standard VINs - and adjust your validation rules to account for these while still detecting actual data corruption.

Step 2: Verify Payload Authenticity

Digital signatures ensure that API responses haven't been tampered with during transmission. Use HMAC-SHA256 to generate a signature for each payload, secured with a shared secret key.

Set up a shared secret key between your application and the API provider. Even a minor change in the payload will result in a signature mismatch, alerting you to potential tampering.

For webhook payloads - used in cases like vehicle recall alerts or real-time diagnostics - implement JWTs with short expiration times. Regularly update HMAC keys to reduce the risk of compromise and maintain security.

Step 3: Authenticate Endpoints with Certificates

To further ensure endpoint authenticity, use DNSSEC with DANE to match the server's certificate with its TLSA record. DANE allows you to verify that the certificate being used is explicitly authorized for the service, creating a clear chain of trust.

When connecting to vehicle API endpoints, confirm that the server's certificate matches the TLSA record published in DNS. This step not only validates the certificate but also confirms it is the correct one for the service.

Additionally, monitor certificate transparency logs. These public logs record every issued certificate, helping you detect unauthorized certificates that may have been issued for your API endpoints. Keep an eye on expiration dates and update pinned certificates ahead of time to prevent service interruptions.

Step 4: Log and Handle Errors

Maintain detailed logs for each integrity check as part of your security monitoring strategy. Structured logging formats, like JSON, make it easier to analyze patterns and identify potential security threats.

Include information such as timestamps, source IP addresses, the specific verification method used, and failure details when applicable. These logs are crucial for compliance audits and incident investigations.

Error handling should distinguish between temporary network glitches and genuine integrity issues. For example, a single failed HMAC verification might result from a transient network error, but repeated failures from the same source could indicate tampering. Use exponential backoff for temporary issues and set up alerts to notify your security team when anomalies occur.

Finally, establish audit trails that connect verification results to business outcomes. If a VIN decoding request fails an integrity check, log the technical details alongside the broader impact - such as preventing incorrect vehicle specifications from being displayed to users. This approach not only enhances security but also ensures a better user experience.

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Tools and Libraries for Data Integrity Verification

Specialized tools play a key role in simplifying integrity verification, building on solid protocols. These libraries and frameworks handle tasks like validation, encryption, and authentication, freeing up your time to focus on creating reliable integrations for vehicle APIs.

Schema and Payload Validation Libraries

Ajv: A fast JSON schema validator for JavaScript environments that supports draft-07 JSON Schema specifications. Use it to validate VIN formats, mileage, and realistic model years with ease.
Marshmallow: A Python library designed for data serialization, deserialization, and validation. It’s ideal for ensuring vehicle market value data adheres to currency formats and expected price ranges.
Joi: A Node.js library that simplifies validation of numeric and unit-based values. For example, it can confirm that engine displacement values are positive, fuel economy ratings are within expected ranges, and vehicle weights are listed in pounds.
Cerberus: A Python library tailored for straightforward data validation, particularly for nested data structures often found in vehicle APIs. It ensures dates in vehicle history reports follow the MM/DD/YYYY format and that damage severity ratings match predefined scales.

Certificate and Encryption Tools

OpenSSL: A go-to tool for certificate validation and cryptography. It offers command-line utilities and libraries to verify certificate chains, check expiration dates, and review certificate transparency logs.
Unbound: A reliable DNSSEC resolver that supports DANE-based key authentication. It ensures API server certificates match TLSA records published in DNS, which is vital for certificate pinning in vehicle API endpoints.
getdns: A modern DNS library with built-in DNSSEC support. It automatically validates DNSSEC signatures and provides detailed trust chain information, making it a practical choice for DNS-based certificate checks.
Let's Encrypt: Perfect for development and testing environments, this service provides free certificates that support standard validation mechanisms. While production systems often use commercial certificates, Let's Encrypt is a great option for testing data integrity verification workflows.

Verifiable Credentials for Proof Chain Validation

Microsoft's ION: Implements decentralized identity standards in line with W3C Verifiable Credentials. This tool ensures tamper-evident, cryptographically verified vehicle credentials for ownership records, maintenance logs, and inspection certificates, leveraging blockchain technology.
Hyperledger Aries: A framework for creating applications that utilize verifiable credentials. It’s particularly useful for securing digital titles, service records, and recall completion certificates following W3C standards.
Trinsic: A developer-friendly tool for integrating verifiable credentials. It helps verify that diagnostic data comes from certified OBD-II scanners or that manufacturers officially attest to vehicle specifications, providing cryptographically secure and tamper-proof credentials.

Choosing the right tool depends on your tech stack and performance requirements. For instance, Ajv is a top choice for JavaScript applications, while Python developers often favor Marshmallow for its flexibility. OpenSSL offers robust certificate validation, while getdns simplifies DNS-based checks.

CarsXE integrates these tools to deliver accurate vehicle data in structured formats, ensuring seamless compatibility with schema libraries. By combining these tools with secure transmission protocols, CarsXE guarantees that every data point is both validated and authenticated, providing a reliable foundation for vehicle data integrations.

Comparing Data Integrity Verification Methods

Different methods for verifying data integrity come with their own sets of pros and cons, balancing complexity, speed, and security. The table below highlights the key aspects of these methods to help you understand their trade-offs.

Schema validation is a quick way to catch formatting errors but falls short when it comes to detecting subtle data manipulations that don’t alter the structure. On the other hand, hash-based verification is more effective at spotting tampering but requires extra computational resources. Certificate-based authentication ensures data comes from trusted sources but brings the challenge of managing certificates.

Method Setup Complexity Impact on Speed Security Level Best Use Cases Limitations Schema Validation Low Minimal Basic Development environments, basic validation, high-volume apps Cannot detect data value manipulation or provide authentication Hash-based Payload Verification Medium Moderate High Production systems, audit trails, tamper detection Requires cryptographic key management and may introduce latency Certificate Authentication High Low to Moderate Very High Enterprise integrations, regulated industries, sensitive data Complex setup and lifecycle management of certificates DNSSEC + Certificate Pinning Very High Moderate Maximum Critical infrastructure, government systems, high-risk environments Needs specialized DNS infrastructure and can be difficult to troubleshoot Verifiable Credentials High High Maximum Blockchain applications, long-term verification Limited ecosystem support and higher resource demands

When choosing a method, factors like application scale and compliance requirements play a big role. For example, schema validation offers minimal overhead and is easy to implement with tools like Ajv. However, advanced methods like certificate authentication or DNSSEC are often necessary for industries with strict regulatory standards, such as finance or government.

CarsXE combines several verification methods, giving developers the flexibility to balance performance and security based on their specific needs. These comparisons serve as a guide for implementing effective verification strategies in your vehicle API integrations.

Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Ensuring data integrity in vehicle APIs isn't just a technical task - it's a cornerstone for building trust and protecting sensitive vehicle information. The strategies we’ve discussed offer a solid foundation for safeguarding your data against tampering, confirming its authenticity, and delivering reliable services.

To recap, a strong verification process involves multiple layers of protection, including schema validation, payload authentication, endpoint certificate checks, and detailed logging. Together, these measures create a robust defense for your vehicle data.

When choosing verification methods, it's important to strike the right balance between speed and security. For high-volume environments, schema validation works efficiently. In contrast, hash-based techniques and certificate checks are better suited for production systems that demand heightened security. For industries with strict regulations or critical infrastructure, combining DNSSEC with certificate pinning offers unparalleled protection, though it requires more effort to set up and maintain.

Tools like Ajv and OpenSSL make implementation more manageable, and platforms like CarsXE's API suite demonstrate how seamless integration of verification methods can enable secure, real-time access to vehicle data across more than 50 countries.

FAQs

What are the best practices for using HTTPS and TLS to secure vehicle API data?

To keep vehicle API data safe, always use HTTPS combined with TLS 1.2 or higher. This ensures data encryption and shields it from cyber threats. It's crucial to keep your TLS protocols up to date and rely on strong cipher suites to block unauthorized access or tampering.

On top of that, apply strict transport layer security measures, set up rate limiting to curb misuse, and actively monitor for potential threats in real time. These steps are essential to preserving the confidentiality and integrity of vehicle data while it's being transmitted.

How can developers use tools like Ajv and Marshmallow to validate vehicle API data?

Developers looking to validate vehicle API data have powerful tools at their disposal. For JavaScript-based environments, Ajv is a standout option. It enables the creation of JSON schemas to define the expected structure of API requests and responses. Ajv is known for its speed, offers caching to improve efficiency, and integrates seamlessly with JavaScript workflows.

For Python developers, Marshmallow is an excellent alternative. It allows you to define schemas as Python classes, complete with fields and validation rules. This makes it easy to handle serialization, deserialization, and automatic validation of incoming vehicle data. Plus, it raises errors for any invalid entries, ensuring data consistency.

Both Ajv and Marshmallow play a crucial role in maintaining data integrity by identifying schema mismatches early, making them indispensable for building reliable and secure vehicle data APIs.

What are the challenges and advantages of using DNSSEC and certificate pinning for securing vehicle APIs?

Using DNSSEC in vehicle APIs adds a layer of security by guarding against DNS spoofing and man-in-the-middle attacks, ensuring data authenticity. That said, implementing DNSSEC isn't without its hurdles. It requires careful management of cryptographic keys and maintaining trust chains, which can complicate operations.

Certificate pinning offers another level of protection by blocking unauthorized certificate changes, minimizing the risk of man-in-the-middle attacks. However, it does come with its own set of challenges. For instance, unexpected certificate updates or replacements can disrupt connections, creating potential headaches for developers and users alike.

Even with these implementation complexities, both DNSSEC and certificate pinning play a crucial role in improving data integrity and reducing security risks. As vehicles become more connected, strengthening trust in vehicle APIs becomes increasingly important.