Tool

Mobile Application Penetration Testing​

Your web applications are among your most critical assets. Safeguard them effectively with impactful penetration testing that delivers a strong return on investment.​

Mobile security testing is essential for safeguarding devices and applications from the latest cyber threats.​

In today’s digital landscape, mobile devices play a pivotal role in our daily lives, serving as gateways to sensitive information and critical services. As the use of mobile applications continues to soar, so does the potential for cyber threats targeting these platforms. Mobile penetration testing is a proactive approach designed to identify vulnerabilities within mobile applications and their associated back-end systems. By simulating real-world attacks, this testing process helps organizations uncover weaknesses before malicious actors can exploit them.​ ​ Our services are tailored to empower businesses in this critical area. With our expertise in mobile penetration testing, we conduct thorough assessments that simulate various attack vectors, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of your app’s security posture. We don’t just identify vulnerabilities; we offer actionable insights and recommendations to strengthen your defenses. By partnering with us, you ensure that your mobile applications remain secure and resilient against emerging threats, protecting both user data and your organization’s reputation in an ever-evolving threat landscape.​

Potential Threats to your Mobile Security​

In a world where mobile applications are integral to everyday operations, understanding the potential risks is vital. At Preventive Intelz, we focus on uncovering hidden vulnerabilities that could threaten your sensitive information and operational integrity. Whether you develop your own apps or rely on third-party solutions, our comprehensive assessments empower you to strengthen your defenses and safeguard your mobile ecosystem.

Common Security Concerns

Insecure Data Storage​

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Weak Server-Side Controls​

API Vulnerabilities​

Improper Session Management​

Broken Cryptography​

Client-Side Injection Attacks​

Insecure Communication Channels​

Insufficient Authentication and Authorization​

Security Decisions Based on Untrusted Inputs​

What is Assessed during a mobile app security test?

Aptive’s mobile application testing methodology is based from the OWASP mobile security project and covers all aspects of the OWASP Mobile Top 10 for 2016 (detailed below) and incorporates experience and testing techniques used in other areas of security testing. An overview of our mobile security testing methodology is documented below.

Why Conduct Mobile Application Penetration Testing?​

Mitigate Identified Security Risks

Mobile application security testing provides an in-depth analysis of your app, enabling the identification of potential security vulnerabilities. We offer comprehensive remediation instructions, along with expert guidance, to help you enhance the security of your mobile applications effectively.

Uncover Security Flaws That Endanger Users​

Our assessments reveal mobile app security weaknesses that could expose sensitive information and jeopardize user safety. Addressing these vulnerabilities is essential to safeguarding your users and protecting your company’s reputation.

Supported Platforms

Predictive Intelz specializes in mobile app security testing across the following platforms:

Mobile Application Penetration Testing Methodology​

Overview

Our mobile application penetration testing methodology is designed to systematically evaluate the security of mobile applications. By combining automated tools and manual testing techniques, we uncover vulnerabilities that could potentially compromise user data and application integrity.

Testing Process

  1. Pre-Engagement ActivitiesDefine the objectives and scope of the testing, including identifying critical assets and potential threats.
  2. Application Profiling Analyze the application architecture to understand its components, including front-end, back-end, and APIs. This phase includes documenting application workflows and data flows.
  3. Threat ModelingIdentify and assess potential threats based on application functionality and architecture. This involves mapping out attack vectors and prioritizing risks.
  4. Static AnalysisConduct a thorough examination of the application’s source code (if accessible) to identify coding vulnerabilities and security misconfigurations.
  5. Dynamic AnalysisPerform real-time testing on the running application to evaluate its behavior under various conditions. This includes intercepting network traffic to analyze data transmission security.
  6. Vulnerability AssessmentSystematically identify security weaknesses using both automated scanning tools and manual testing techniques. This phase focuses on common vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage, improper authentication, and more.
  7. ExploitationAttempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities in a controlled manner to assess the potential impact. This helps in understanding the severity of the vulnerabilities.
  8. Post-Exploitation Analysis​Evaluate the extent of the damage that could be done if an attacker successfully exploited a vulnerability. This includes assessing data exposure and potential lateral movement within the system.
  9. ReportingCompile a detailed report outlining findings, including identified vulnerabilities, potential impacts, and recommended remediation steps. The report also includes a risk assessment and prioritization of issues.
  10. Remediation GuidanceProvide actionable recommendations for fixing identified vulnerabilities, along with assistance in implementing these security measures if needed.This methodology ensures a comprehensive assessment of your mobile application’s security posture, helping you protect sensitive data and maintain user trust.

Establishing the Test Environment​

Creating the test environment is a crucial step in conducting a mobile application security assessment. This process is tailored based on the specifics outlined during the scoping phase and the data gathered in the information collection stage. The environment will replicate real-world conditions to ensure that the testing is both effective and reliable, allowing for accurate identification of potential vulnerabilities in the application.

Static Analysis Methodology for Mobile Applications​

Static Analysis Techniques​

Static analysis, also known as SAST (Static Application Security Testing), involves evaluating the source code, binaries, and other application data while the application is not running. When source code is unavailable (which is preferable), we may reverse engineer, decrypt, and decompile the compiled binaries whenever possible.

Even if a source code review is not included in the scope, examining the source code is crucial. This analysis aids in mapping the application and understanding its functionality, revealing important details such as backend databases, server-side components, authentication systems, APIs, and the programming languages and frameworks used.

Key Focus Areas:

  • Authentication Mechanisms​
  • Authorization Processes​
  • Session Management Practices​
  • Data Storage Security​
  • Information Disclosure Risks​
  • Mobile Application Vulnerability Testing – This includes identifying vulnerabilities such as XSS, CSRF, SQL Injection, Command Injection, and XML Injection specific to mobile environments.​
  • Network Security- Assessment of weak or insecure protocols used within the mobile application.​
  • Transport Layer Protection -Evaluation of SSL and encryption measures to ensure data security during transmission.​

Dynamic Analysis Methodology for Mobile Applications

Dynamic Analysis Techniques
Dynamic analysis, or DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing), is conducted while the mobile application is actively running, simulating real-world attack scenarios. Insights gained from the static analysis phase can be leveraged to enhance and validate findings during dynamic testing, depending on the client’s scope.

Application Types Covered:

  • Native Applications
  • Web Services Applications (SOAP/REST)
  • Mobile Browser-Based Applications
  • Hybrid Mobile Applications (combining Native and Web)

Key Components of Dynamic Testing:

  1. Application Mapping :Establish a baseline for the application’s behavior before and after installation, including file system usage.
  2. Remote Application/Server Testing :Test backend systems, hosting environments, and APIs for vulnerabilities related to authentication, authorization, session management, and transport layer security, including server-side attacks.
  3. Local Testing : Assess for exposed Inter-Process Communication (IPC) interfaces, including fuzzing, sniffing, and authentication bypass testing.
  4. Debugging : Use a debugger to analyze the application during runtime.
  5. Web Application Security Testing : Identify common vulnerabilities such as XSS, CSRF, SQL Injection, Command Injection, XML Injection, and evaluate Cross-Domain Policy and cookie security.
  6. Authentication Testing : Assess for broken authentication mechanisms.
  7. Authorization Assessment : Investigate weak runtime permissions on the local filesystem and potential for external configuration manipulation.
  8. File System Analysis : Examine local filesystem permissions to identify weaknesses and manipulation risks.
  9. Cryptography Testing : Evaluate cryptographic practices for vulnerabilities, including brute-force key attacks, hard-coded keys, and any other exposed secrets.
  10. Memory Analysis :Conduct assessments of the application’s memory for sensitive data exposure.

What is Evaluated During Mobile App Penetration Testing?​

Our mobile application penetration testing is designed to comprehensively evaluate the security of your apps, following the guidelines set forth by the OWASP Mobile Security Project. By focusing on the OWASP Mobile Top 10 vulnerabilities, we leverage our extensive experience and advanced testing techniques to identify and mitigate potential security risks. This thorough assessment ensures that your mobile applications are resilient against the latest threats and protects sensitive user data.​
storage-outline-alerted

Weak Authentication Mechanisms ​

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Inadequate Cryptographic Measures ​

letsencrypt

Vulnerable Data Storage Practices ​

Unsecured Data Transmission

Improper Use of Platform Features

Insufficient Access Controls

Quality of Client-Side Code

Ease of Reverse Engineering

Susceptibility to Code Modifications

Unnecessary Functionalities

Third-Party Library Vulnerabilities

Insecure API Usage

Benefits of Mobile Application Security Testing​

Mobile application security testing is a critical component of the software development lifecycle, aimed at identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities that could compromise sensitive data and user privacy. By implementing rigorous security assessments, organizations can proactively address potential threats, fortifying their applications against exploitation. Regular testing not only ensures compliance with regulatory frameworks but also enhances the overall security architecture, enabling a robust defense against evolving cyber threats.

Key Benefits:

– Strengthened Security Posture: Proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities before exploitation occurs.

– Enhanced User Trust: Foster user confidence by demonstrating a commitment to robust security practices, leading to increased user adoption and retention.

– Regulatory Compliance Assurance: Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), mitigating the risk of legal liabilities and penalties.

– Cost-Effective Remediation: Reduce remediation costs by detecting vulnerabilities early in the development lifecycle, minimizing potential impacts.

– Optimized Code Quality: Provide insights into coding practices and architecture, leading to improved application performance and reliability.

– Defense Against Emerging Threats: Maintain a proactive stance against evolving attack vectors through continuous security assessments.

– Comprehensive Risk Evaluation: Perform holistic assessments that evaluate interactions with back-end systems and APIs for a full security overview.

– Promoted Secure Development Practices: Encourage the adoption of secure coding standards and methodologies, reducing the likelihood of introducing vulnerabilities in future releases.

Mobile Application Penetration Testing Methodology​

Our mobile application penetration testing methodology is designed to systematically evaluate the security of mobile applications. By combining automated tools and manual testing techniques, we uncover vulnerabilities that could potentially compromise user data and application integrity.

Define the objectives and scope of the testing, including identifying critical assets and potential threats.

Analyze the application architecture to understand its components, including front-end, back-end, and APIs. This phase includes documenting application workflows and data flows.

Identify and assess potential threats based on application functionality and architecture. This involves mapping out attack vectors and prioritizing risks.

Conduct a thorough examination of the application’s source code (if accessible) to identify coding vulnerabilities and security misconfigurations.

Perform real-time testing on the running application to evaluate its behavior under various conditions. This includes intercepting network traffic to analyze data transmission security.

Systematically identify security weaknesses using both automated scanning tools and manual testing techniques. This phase focuses on common vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage, improper authentication, and more.

Attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities in a controlled manner to assess the potential impact. This helps in understanding the severity of the vulnerabilities.

Evaluate the extent of the damage that could be done if an attacker successfully exploited a vulnerability. This includes assessing data exposure and potential lateral movement within the system.

Compile a detailed report outlining findings, including identified vulnerabilities, potential impacts, and recommended remediation steps. The report also includes a risk assessment and prioritization of issues.

Provide actionable recommendations for fixing identified vulnerabilities, along with assistance in implementing these security measures if needed.

This methodology ensures a comprehensive assessment of your mobile application’s security posture, helping you protect sensitive data and maintain user trust.

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