Unused global parameter definition (OpenAPI 2.0)

A reusable parameter is not referenced where it is needed

Description

A global parameters definition applies to a request when referenced by an operation or path. An unused definition is not itself a security vulnerability, but stale definitions and incorrect references may need cleanup.

Potential impact

Readers may confuse the actual request parameters, and input changes may require reviewing unnecessary definitions.

Remediation

Connect needed parameters with the correct $ref. Check references from other documents before removing definitions that are no longer needed.

Examples

These POST examples correct the misspelled reference limitParame to the actual definition, limitParam.

Before

json
{
  "swagger": "2.0",
  "info": {
    "title": "Simple API Overview",
    "version": "1.0.0"
  },
  "paths": {
    "/": {
      "post": {
        "operationId": "listVersionsv2",
        "summary": "List API versions",
        "responses": {
          "200": {
            "description": "200 response"
          }
        },
        "parameters": [
          {
            "$ref": "#/parameters/limitParame"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "parameters": {
    "limitParam": {
      "name": "limit",
      "in": "body",
      "description": "max records to return",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  }
}

After

json
{
  "swagger": "2.0",
  "info": {
    "title": "Simple API Overview",
    "version": "1.0.0"
  },
  "paths": {
    "/": {
      "post": {
        "operationId": "listVersionsv2",
        "summary": "List API versions",
        "responses": {
          "200": {
            "description": "200 response"
          }
        },
        "parameters": [
          {
            "$ref": "#/parameters/limitParam"
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  },
  "parameters": {
    "limitParam": {
      "name": "limit",
      "in": "body",
      "description": "max records to return",
      "required": true,
      "schema": {
        "type": "string"
      }
    }
  }
}

References