Mobile Application Security Testing
Security testing for iOS and Android applications including binary analysis, API security, and data storage assessment.
Mobile applications handle an increasingly large share of sensitive business and personal data, from financial transactions and healthcare records to corporate communications and authentication credentials. The unique security challenges of mobile platforms — including device fragmentation, app store distribution models, offline data storage, and rich sensor access — require a specialized testing approach that goes beyond traditional web application security assessment. Our Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) provides comprehensive security evaluation for both iOS and Android applications, covering the entire mobile attack surface from the client-side binary to the backend API infrastructure.
Our methodology is aligned with the OWASP Mobile Application Security Project (MASVS and MASTG), which provides a structured framework for assessing mobile app security across eight verification levels. We evaluate data storage and privacy, examining how the application handles sensitive data in local storage, keychain/keystore usage, SQLite databases, shared preferences, and temporary files. Cryptography assessment covers encryption algorithm selection, key management practices, TLS implementation, certificate validation, and custom cryptographic implementations for potential weaknesses. We analyze authentication and authorization mechanisms including biometric authentication, OAuth 2.0/OIDC flows, token storage, and session management, with particular attention to offline authentication and token persistence.
Binary analysis and reverse engineering are core components of our mobile testing capability. We decompile and disassemble iOS IPA files and Android APK/AAB packages using industry-standard tools (Ghidra, JADX, Frida, objection, Hopper) to identify hardcoded secrets, insecure API endpoints, weak obfuscation, and embedded third-party SDK vulnerabilities. Our dynamic analysis includes runtime manipulation using Frida and Xposed frameworks, method hooking, SSL/TLS certificate pinning bypass, memory dumping for sensitive data, and inter-process communication (IPC) analysis. For Android, we evaluate intent filters, content providers, broadcast receivers, and deep link handling. For iOS, we assess URL scheme handling, Universal Links, App Transport Security (ATS) configuration, and iCloud/keychain data leakage.
The backend API components powering mobile applications often present a larger attack surface than the client app itself. We conduct comprehensive API security testing covering authentication bypass, authorization flaws (IDOR, privilege escalation), injection vulnerabilities, rate limiting assessment, request/response tampering, and GraphQL security analysis. We also evaluate the mobile-specific API attack surface including push notification abuse, in-app purchase validation bypass, and deep linking authentication. Our testing extends to third-party service integrations including analytics SDKs, advertising frameworks, crash reporting tools, and social login providers, which frequently introduce vulnerabilities through their data handling and permission requirements. The result is a complete, end-to-end security assessment of your mobile application ecosystem.
How We Deliver
A structured methodology refined through hundreds of successful engagements.
Static Analysis & Binary Review
We decompile your mobile application binaries to examine source code, resources, and configuration files. On Android, we analyze the APK/AAB using JADX, APKTool, and custom static analysis pipelines. On iOS, we decrypt IPA files, analyze Mach-O binaries, and examine plist configurations. Our review targets hardcoded API keys, tokens, and credentials; insecure cryptographic implementations; exposed internal URLs and debug endpoints; weak or absent obfuscation; and third-party SDK permission overreach. We also review source code for iOS and Android-specific vulnerabilities.
Dynamic Analysis & Runtime Manipulation
We execute the application on real devices (physical iPhones and Android devices, not emulators) to observe runtime behavior. Using Frida and objection, we perform method hooking to bypass authentication, SSL pinning, jailbreak/root detection, and anti-tampering controls. We intercept and modify network traffic using Burp Suite and mitmproxy, analyze memory for sensitive data exposure, and test runtime permission enforcement. For Android, we evaluate insecure IPC through content providers, broadcast receivers, and intent handling. For iOS, we assess insecure NSUserDefaults, Keychain, and Core Data storage.
Data Storage & Privacy Assessment
We thoroughly evaluate how your mobile application stores and handles sensitive data. Testing covers SQLite database inspection for plaintext data, SharedPreferences and NSUserDefaults analysis, Keychain and Android Keystore implementation review, cache and log file examination, screenshot prevention testing, Clipboard data leakage assessment, and background snapshot protection. We evaluate compliance with platform-specific data protection APIs including Android EncryptedSharedPreferences and iOS Data Protection classes, and assess auto-fill and credential manager integrations for credential leakage risks.
API & Backend Security Testing
Mobile backend APIs are tested for vulnerabilities common to web APIs plus mobile-specific attack vectors. We perform authentication and authorization testing including OAuth 2.0/OIDC flow analysis, token handling and storage review, API rate limiting and brute-force protection assessment, request tampering via intercepted and modified API calls, and mobile-specific GraphQL introspection and query depth analysis. We test push notification service security, in-app purchase and subscription validation, and deep-link/universal-link handling authentication. Server-side API testing follows our full web application testing methodology.
Comprehensive Reporting & Secure Development Guidance
Our deliverable is a detailed report organized by OWASP MASVS categories with CVSS 3.1 severity scoring. Each finding includes step-by-step reproduction instructions, business impact analysis, and platform-specific remediation guidance for both iOS (Swift/Objective-C) and Android (Kotlin/Java). We provide a secure coding checklist customized to your technology stack, recommendations for mobile CI/CD security integration including SAST/DAST pipeline tools, and developer training materials to address common mobile security pitfalls. A re-test is included after remediation to validate fix effectiveness.
What You Receive
Every engagement delivers actionable insights and tangible outcomes.
Mobile App Security Report
OWASP MASVS-aligned report with binary analysis findings, dynamic exploitation results, data storage review, and API security assessment with CVSS scoring.
Source & Binary Analysis Results
Detailed static analysis output including identified hardcoded secrets, vulnerable SDKs, insecure cryptographic implementations, and obfuscation effectiveness evaluation.
Backend API Security Assessment
Complete API security testing results covering authentication, authorization, injection, rate limiting, and mobile-specific endpoints including push notifications and deep links.
Remediation Code Samples
Platform-specific secure coding examples for iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) addressing each identified vulnerability, ready for integration into your codebase.
Key Benefits
Partner with SecureNexGen for results that matter.
Platform-Specific Expertise
Deep knowledge of iOS and Android security models, platform APIs, and ecosystem risks ensures vulnerabilities are not missed due to platform unfamiliarity.
Real-Device Testing
Testing on physical iOS and Android devices rather than emulators ensures accurate results for device-specific behaviors like biometric auth and secure enclave usage.
Anti-Tampering Bypass
We validate the effectiveness of your jailbreak/root detection, SSL pinning, and anti-debugging controls by attempting to bypass them using real-world techniques.
SDLC Integration
Our findings are formatted for direct integration into your mobile CI/CD pipeline, enabling automated security gates and preventing vulnerability reintroduction.
What's Covered
Comprehensive scope designed to leave no stone unturned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common queries about our service delivery and process.
Do you test on emulators or real devices, and why does it matter?
How do you handle testing of apps that use jailbreak/root detection?
What types of mobile-specific vulnerabilities do you look for?
How long does a mobile app security assessment take?
Do you test both the mobile app and its backend APIs?
Ready to Get Started?
Contact our team to discuss your requirements and receive a tailored proposal.