Mobile Application Security Testing

Mobile application penetration testing is a type of assessment designed to identify and address vulnerabilities in Android and iOS apps. These vulnerabilities could be exploited by hackers. With millions of consumers relying on mobile applications every day to manage their most sensitive information, entities are now constrained to integrate penetration tests as an integral part of their application’s development cycle to protect their users' sensitive information.

Why is Mobile Application Penetration Testing Important?

More and more people rely on mobile applications. Mobile applications offer convenience and enable us to be more productive, making mobile devices an essential part of our daily business operations. However, with convenience comes security risks and due to the large volume of data processed through mobile applications, they are a prime target for cyber-attacks. Mobile app pen testing is critical for managing security across these application platforms. Because new vulnerabilities are found daily, entities should be proactive to ensure their mobile app is safe from modern-day cyber-attacks and reduce the chance of malware, spyware, or any other security breach.

Benefits of Mobile Application Penetration Testing Service

  • Helps ensure the security of sensitive data: Mobile penetration testing can help ensure that the sensitive data your entity collects, and stores is safe from malicious actors.

  • Identifies potential vulnerabilities: Mobile penetration testing can identify potential vulnerabilities in your mobile applications that could be exploited by attackers.

  • Prevents data breaches: By identifying and addressing potential vulnerabilities, mobile penetration testing can help prevent data breaches.

  • Enhances customer trust: Customers are more likely to trust an entity whose mobile applications have been tested for security vulnerabilities and found to be secure.

  • Increases application security: Mobile penetration testing can increase the overall security of your entity’s mobile applications.

  • Facilitates compliance: Mobile penetration testing can help your entity comply with industry regulations.

  • Reduces operational costs: By preventing data breaches and enhancing customer trust, mobile penetration testing can help reduce your operational costs.

Top 5 mobile app security risks

  • Insecure Data Storage: Data storage is one of the most important aspects of any application or device. If the application stores, transmits or processes sensitive information, they need to keep it secure. This usually occurs when developers incorrectly assume users or malware cannot access specific device or system files. Hackers can access your device’s data or steal your information if you fail to store it securely.

  • Untrusted Inputs: The concept of trusted user input is not new. However, most developers are not aware of how it works, what problems it might cause and how to protect themselves from it. This is especially important for mobile apps, as most of their source code is available online, so there is no point in hiding it.

  • Insecure Communication: Insecure communication is a threat that can never be underestimated. When mobile applications are not developed carefully, they can leave their backend systems exposed to hackers. When mobile apps transmit data over the public Internet, mobile carrier networks disclose sensitive data to attackers.

  • Insufficient Cryptography: If there is one thing that the world knows about cryptography, it is essential to keep our data safe. Insufficient cryptography can be caused by many reasons, including the lack of knowledge of the developers on a good encryption process or the inability to implement good encryption on the software.

  • Code Obfuscation: Code obfuscation is the process of transforming the source code of a software application to hinder attempts at reverse engineering. Attackers use reverse engineering to understand how an app works to formulate exploits.

Our Methodology

Our mobile apps security testing methodology involves both manual and automated testing procedures. We conduct in-depth mobile application security assessments of commonly used mobile platforms including Android and iOS following the OWASP top 10 mobile and OWASP top 10 API framework.

Our mobile application test process

Every mobile application penetration test goes through a rigorous process to ensure you get the best possible results. Below we outline the key stages our testing goes through:

  • Scoping: Your dedicated account manager (AM) will work closely with you to understand your business, the application under review & the desired outcomes. The AM will then work with the assigned Pentest consultants & your stakeholders to ensure testing meets your exact needs.

  • Proposal: A bespoke proposal of work will be drawn up based on your requirements, our experience and our consultant’s expertise. This proposal will outline our recommended test approach, the prerequisites needed & the time required to investigate the target.

  • Testing: Testing will commence on the agreed date and our consultants will communicate with you throughout the test, to your set requirements. All testing is conducted both manual and automated testing procedures and our consultants will look to identify as many issues as possible.

  • Reporting: A comprehensive, quality assured report of our findings will be delivered following the test. Our reports can be tailored to your needs, providing both a technical and managerial overview of findings, as well as our detailed remediation advice.