Cloudflare Enforces HTTPS-Only Connections for API Security

Strengthening API Security with HTTPS

Cloudflare has officially eliminated support for unencrypted HTTP connections to its API, enforcing HTTPS as the sole communication protocol. This move is aimed at preventing accidental data leaks and reducing the risk of cyber threats, particularly in scenarios where unencrypted API requests might expose sensitive credentials.

By closing all HTTP ports entirely for api.cloudflare.com, Cloudflare ensures that API requests cannot be transmitted in plaintext before the server redirects to a secure channel. The company warns that developers should no longer expect 403 Forbidden responses for HTTP requests, as these connections will now be blocked outright.

Why This Matters

The Cloudflare API is a critical tool for developers and administrators, enabling automation for DNS management, firewall configuration, DDoS protection, caching, SSL settings, and security policies. Previously, API requests could be made over both HTTP and HTTPS, with HTTP either being redirected or rejected. However, even when HTTP connections were denied, sensitive data like API keys and tokens could be exposed before the rejection took place.

This issue is particularly dangerous on public or shared networks where adversary-in-the-middle attacks can intercept plaintext data before encryption is enforced. By blocking HTTP at the transport layer itself, Cloudflare removes this risk entirely, making HTTPS the only option.

Immediate Impact of the Change

Breaking Changes for Unencrypted Requests: Scripts, bots, legacy systems, and IoT devices that rely on HTTP will fail unless updated to use HTTPS.
Improved Security for Cloudflare’s Customers: Users no longer have to worry about accidental HTTP leaks compromising credentials.
Upcoming Website Security Feature: By the end of the year, Cloudflare will roll out a free option to disable HTTP for websites hosted on its platform.

According to Cloudflare’s internal data, a small but notable percentage of traffic still relies on HTTP:
– 2.4% of all internet traffic passing through Cloudflare remains HTTP-based.
– When accounting for automated traffic, this number jumps to 17%.

For customers, Cloudflare recommends reviewing HTTP vs HTTPS traffic analytics via Analytics & Logs > Traffic Served Over SSL before making any changes.

What Undercode Say:

Cloudflare’s move is a strong step toward improving internet security, but it also raises some key considerations for developers and businesses relying on legacy systems.

The End of HTTP for APIs – A Necessary Shift
Eliminating HTTP support prevents one of the most common security pitfalls: accidental plaintext data leaks. While most developers follow best practices by enforcing HTTPS, having HTTP even as an option poses a risk in cases of misconfiguration or oversight.

From a security standpoint, this decision aligns with industry trends. Major platforms like Google, Apple, and Microsoft have already pushed for HTTPS-only policies, especially in API communications and web browsing.

2. Impact on Legacy Systems and IoT Devices

The transition will be smooth for modern applications, but older systems that still depend on HTTP will break. Many low-level IoT devices, internal scripts, and outdated applications may lack proper HTTPS support, leading to service disruptions unless updated.

Organizations relying on such systems must audit their API communication methods and ensure proper encryption is in place before Cloudflare’s enforcement disrupts their operations.

3. Cybersecurity and MITM Attack Prevention

One of the biggest risks with HTTP is adversary-in-the-middle attacks, where hackers intercept unencrypted traffic on public Wi-Fi or compromised networks. By blocking HTTP at the transport layer, Cloudflare eliminates this attack vector entirely, reinforcing zero-trust security models.

4. Cloudflare’s Role in Web Security

As a leading security-focused provider, Cloudflare has consistently pushed for better encryption, DDoS protection, and zero-trust security policies. This latest move fits within its broader security framework, making it clear that HTTP has no place in modern web infrastructure.

5. What Developers Need to Do

Check API integrations: Ensure all scripts and services use HTTPS.
Audit automated clients: Some tools may still default to HTTP.
Monitor traffic analytics: Use Cloudflare’s dashboard to assess impact.
Update legacy systems: If older devices depend on HTTP, transition them to HTTPS or replace them with secure alternatives.

This is not just a security enhancement—it’s a necessary evolution in internet security. Cloudflare is sending a clear message: Encryption is mandatory, not optional.

Fact Checker Results:

Cloudflare’s enforcement of HTTPS-only API connections is official and has been implemented as of their announcement.
The security risks associated with HTTP, including data leaks and adversary-in-the-middle attacks, are well-documented and widely recognized.
Legacy and IoT systems relying on HTTP will experience failures unless they transition to HTTPS immediately.

References:

Reported By: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cloudflare-now-blocks-all-unencrypted-traffic-to-its-api-endpoints/
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