Mobile applications handle sensitive data including financial transactions, personal information, and authentication credentials. A thorough security assessment is essential before and after every major release.
Blogs / Mobile Application Security Testing: A Practical Guide
Mobile applications are now the primary interface between organisations and their customers. From banking and healthcare to logistics and retail, critical business operations run through mobile apps. Yet many organisations treat mobile security as an afterthought, testing only the web application while the mobile counterpart remains largely unexamined. This guide walks through the key areas that a comprehensive mobile application security assessment should cover.
The OWASP Mobile Top 10 provides a widely accepted framework for identifying the most critical mobile security risks. Key areas include insecure data storage where sensitive information is saved in plaintext on the device, improper platform usage where Android or iOS security features are bypassed or misconfigured, insufficient transport layer security where data is transmitted without encryption, and insecure authentication where session tokens or credentials are poorly managed. A structured assessment should systematically test each of these categories across both Android and iOS builds.
• Static Analysis (SAST) — examines the application binary, decompiled source code, and configuration files without executing the app. It reveals hardcoded credentials, insecure API endpoints, weak cryptographic implementations, and exposed debug information.
• Dynamic Analysis (DAST) — tests the running application in real time. This includes intercepting network traffic to identify unencrypted data transmissions, testing authentication and session management flows, examining runtime behaviour for memory leaks or data exposure, and validating server-side controls.
• API Security Testing — most mobile apps rely heavily on backend APIs. Testing should verify proper authentication, input validation, rate limiting, and access control on all API endpoints the app communicates with.
Android and iOS have fundamentally different security models. Android applications require testing for exported components, intent filters, content provider vulnerabilities, and insecure broadcast receivers. Root detection bypass and certificate pinning validation are also critical. iOS applications require testing for keychain storage security, URL scheme handling, ATS configuration, and jailbreak detection mechanisms. Both platforms should be tested for data leakage through logs, clipboard, screenshots, and backup files. A thorough assessment covers the application, the device, and the communication channel between the app and its backend.
Conclusion
Mobile application security testing should be an integral part of your software development lifecycle. With the volume of sensitive data processed through mobile apps, a single vulnerability can lead to significant data exposure and regulatory penalties. Whether your app targets Android, iOS, or both, a comprehensive security assessment ensures your users' data remains protected. Contact Codesecure to schedule a mobile application VAPT for your organisation.
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