Banking, shopping, social media—we do it all on our mobiles. But this convenience comes with a dark side. Because mobile apps handle so much sensitive information, they’re a prime target for cybercriminals.
Mobile apps face unique security challenges. You’ve got the app itself, the backend APIs it communicates with, and the device it runs on. Each of these components can be a potential entry point for attackers.
And then there’s the data storage issue. Mobile apps often keep sensitive data right on the device. If that data isn’t encrypted properly, it’s vulnerable if the device is lost or stolen.
The networks our phones connect to can also be a problem. Public Wi-Fi, for example, is very risky. Attackers can use tricks like “man-in-the-middle” attacks to snoop on data.
And poorly written code can have security holes that let attackers inject bad code, steal data, or even take over the device. Making security a priority from day one of development is key.
Let’s dive into why mobile application penetration testing matters and how to do it right.
How to Perform Mobile Application Penetration Testing?
Mobile application pentesting is about proactively identifying and addressing these vulnerabilities. It’s a simulated attack on your app, designed to uncover weaknesses before real attackers exploit them at scale. But it’s more than just finding bugs.
A good pentest will assess the security of the entire mobile ecosystem. This includes the app’s code, its backend infrastructure, the APIs it uses, and even the way it handles data on the device.
The goal should be to provide a comprehensive view of your app’s security posture. This information is invaluable because it allows you to prioritize fixes based on the severity of the vulnerabilities and the potential impact on your users.
Your goal should also be to meet regulatory requirements. If your app handles sensitive data, like credit card numbers or personal health information, you’re likely subject to regulations like GDPR or HIPAA. A solid pentesting program can help demonstrate that you’re taking the necessary steps to protect that data.
Key Areas to Focus on During Mobile App Pentesting
A thorough mobile app pentest should cover a wide range of areas. Here are some of the most critical ones:
- Data Storage and Privacy: How does the app store sensitive data? Is it encrypted? Are proper access controls in place?
- Authentication and Authorization: How does the app authenticate users? Are there any weaknesses in the authorization mechanisms?
- Network Communication: Is data transmitted securely? Are there any vulnerabilities in the way the app communicates with backend servers?
- API Security: Are the APIs used by the app secure? Are there any vulnerabilities that could allow attackers to access sensitive data or functionality?
- Code Quality: Is the app’s code well-written and secure? Are there any common coding errors that could lead to vulnerabilities?
- Platform-Specific Issues: Are there any vulnerabilities specific to the operating system (iOS or Android) that the app runs on?
Follow the OWASP Mobile Top 10 to Secure Your App
The Open Web Application Security Project (OWASP) is a great resource for understanding common mobile app vulnerabilities. Their Mobile Top 10 list highlights the most critical risks. Here’s a quick rundown:
- M1 – Improper Platform Usage: This covers misuse of platform features or security controls.
- M2 – Insecure Data Storage: When sensitive data is stored insecurely on the device.
- M3 – Insecure Communication: Lack of encryption or using weak encryption protocols.
- M4 – Insecure Authentication: Weak or flawed authentication mechanisms.
- M5 – Insufficient Cryptography: Using weak cryptographic algorithms or improper key management.
- M6 – Insecure Authorization: Flaws in authorization schemes that allow unauthorized access to resources.
- M7 – Client Code Quality: Poor coding practices that introduce vulnerabilities.
- M8 – Code Tampering: When an attacker modifies the app’s code to inject malicious functionality.
- M9 – Reverse Engineering: If an attacker can easily reverse engineer the app to understand its inner workings.
- M10 – Extraneous Functionality: Hidden backdoor functionality or other unintended features that could be exploited.
Building a Strong Mobile App Security Strategy
Mobile app pentesting is a critical part of a larger security strategy. But it’s not the only part. Here are some other key elements:
- Secure Development Lifecycle: Integrate security into every stage of the development process, from design to deployment.
- Threat Modeling: Identify potential threats and vulnerabilities early in the design phase.
- Static and Dynamic Analysis: Use automated tools to scan your code for vulnerabilities during development.
- Regular Security Training: Educate your developers on secure coding practices and the latest mobile threats.
- Incident Response Plan: Have a plan in place for responding to security incidents.
The best security practices are the proper way to ensure that your mobile app is secure and that your users’ data is safe. Remember, security is not a destination but a journey. Continuous vigilance and adaptation are key to staying ahead of the threats. And that’s how you build trust with your users and succeed in the mobile-first world.
How Siemba Can Help
Siemba provides offensive security solutions designed to tackle the evolving challenges of mobile app security. From Generative Pentesting and AI-Powered Vulnerability Assessments to Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) and Pentesting-as-a-Service (PTaaS), our tools and expertise ensure your app’s defenses are always one step ahead of attackers.
Our AI-Powered Security Officer (AISO) brings advanced, automated insights while still being backed by human-led pentesting for nuanced, real-world assessments. Whether it’s securing APIs, encrypting sensitive data, or safeguarding user trust, we help you uncover risks and address them before they become threats.
With Siemba, you’re not just mitigating risks—you’re building resilience, earning user trust, and meeting compliance requirements in an increasingly mobile-first world.