Mobile Application Penetration Testing
Mobile applications often handle sensitive user data and require robust security measures. Our mobile application penetration tests help to identify vulnerabilities in both iOS and Android applications, ensuring your users' data remains protected.
What is Mobile Application Penetration Testing?
Mobile Application Penetration Testing evaluates the security of iOS and Android apps by analysing local data storage, inter-app communication, and API interactions. Testing covers both client-side and server-side components to identify vulnerabilities that could lead to data exposure or unauthorised access.
Our Engagement Process
T-14 days
Scoping
Our mobile app testing scope is defined through detailed consultation to understand your application’s architecture, features, and security requirements.
We’ll determine which platforms (iOS/Android) need testing and identify specific areas of concern, such as data storage, API endpoints, and inter-process communication.
T-7 days
Get Ready for Testing
Prior to testing, we ensure all necessary access is prepared. This includes access to the latest application builds (e.g. via TestFlight), test accounts with various privilege levels, and any backend API documentation.
For more thorough testing, we may request access to development builds that enable additional debugging capabilities.
Start of Testing
Our consultants begin their assessment, examining both client-side and server-side components of your mobile application.
Any critical security findings that could put your users at immediate risk are reported as soon as they’re discovered.
T+14 Days
Report Delivery and Debrief
We deliver a detailed report outlining all discovered vulnerabilities, their potential impact, and specific recommendations for remediation.
During our debrief session, we walk through the findings, explain their technical details, and provide practical guidance for implementing security fixes.
Why Mobile Application Testing?
Protect User Data
Mobile apps often store sensitive user information directly on devices. Our testing ensures this data is properly protected through encryption, secure storage locations, and appropriate access controls.
Secure Communication
With mobile apps frequently communicating with backend services, ensuring secure data transmission is crucial. We verify that all client-server communication is properly encrypted and protected against interception.
Platform Compliance
Both iOS and Android platforms have specific security requirements and best practices. Our testing helps ensure your app adheres to platform-specific security guidelines and app store requirements.
Brand Protection
Security incidents in mobile apps can severely damage user trust and brand reputation. Regular security testing helps prevent such incidents and demonstrates your commitment to protecting user privacy.
Our Mobile Application Testing Methodology
Mobile application penetration testing evaluates the security of iOS and Android applications to identify vulnerabilities that could result in risk to our clients or their end users. The assessment considers both server-side and client-side security risks.
Key Testing Areas
Server-Side Security
Our server-side assessment focuses on evaluating traditional web application vulnerability classes specifically in the context of mobile API endpoints, including:
- Authentication mechanisms
- Authorisation controls
- Injection vulnerabilities
- Business logic vulnerabilities
Client-Side Security
Our client-side assessment examines the security of the mobile application itself:
- Data storage analysis to validate sensitive data is stored in properly protected locations
- Verification that sensitive information is not leaked to publicly accessible locations
- Validation of encryption for data in transit
- Assessment of inter-process communication mechanisms (when applicable)
Testing Standards
Our mobile application testing methodology aligns with industry-leading standards including:
- OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG)
- OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS)
- OWASP Mobile Top 10
Our comprehensive approach ensures that both platform-specific and general mobile application security concerns are thoroughly evaluated using a combination of manual testing techniques and specialized mobile security tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you test iOS, Android, or both?
We test both iOS and Android. You can choose to test one or both platforms. We use real devices and apply both static and dynamic analysis techniques appropriate to each platform.
Do you need access to the source code?
No, we can perform black box and grey box testing using the compiled app binary. However, white box testing with source code access enables deeper analysis and more thorough coverage, particularly for client-side logic.
How do I share the application with you for testing?
For iOS apps, we use TestFlight or ad-hoc distribution profiles. For Android, we accept APK files directly. We can also work with enterprise distribution methods or internal app stores if required.
Is the API backend included in mobile app testing?
Yes. Mobile application testing covers both the client-side app and the server-side API it communicates with. In practice, a significant proportion of mobile app vulnerabilities reside in the backend API rather than the app itself. In practice, a lot of customers conduct web application penetration testing at the same time.
Do you test on jailbroken or rooted devices?
Yes. Testing on jailbroken (iOS) or rooted (Android) devices removes operating system restrictions, allowing us to examine local data storage, bypass certificate pinning, and analyse inter-process communication that would otherwise be inaccessible.
What standards does your mobile testing follow?
Our testing is aligned to the OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG) covering the OWASP Mobile Top 10 risk categories.
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