Purpose
When this assessment fits
Mobile applications often handle highly sensitive personal and financial data while operating in environments outside the organization's direct control. This assessment is crucial for businesses that need to ensure their iOS or Android applications are not storing data insecurely, communicating over unencrypted channels, or relying on vulnerable backend APIs. We focus on practical validation of client-side risks and API interactions to protect user data and ensure secure mobile experiences.
What we review
- Mobile API discovery
- Authentication flows
- Token storage
- Sensitive local storage
- Network communication
- Backend authorization
- Hardcoded secret indicators
- App configuration concerns
- Certificate pinning posture where applicable
- Session handling
Common risks we help identify
- →Sensitive data (PII, credentials) stored on the device insecurely (e.g., in plaintext SQLite databases or shared preferences)
- →Tokens exposed or stored weakly, leading to session hijacking
- →Backend API authorization issues exploitable via manipulated mobile requests
- →Hardcoded keys, secrets, or API tokens within the application binary
- →Insecure network communication (e.g., failing to validate SSL/TLS certificates)
- →Excessive data returned by mobile APIs, potentially exposing sensitive information
Business value
- Protect User Data on Device: Ensure sensitive customer information is secure even if the physical device is compromised.
- Secure Mobile APIs: Identify vulnerabilities in the crucial communication layer between the mobile app and your backend servers.
- Prevent App Reverse Engineering: Identify hardcoded secrets and logic flaws that could be exploited by malicious actors analyzing the application binary.
- Ensure Secure App Store Releases: Meet the stringent security requirements of enterprise clients and application storefronts.
Methodology coverage
We utilize a combination of static analysis (SAST) and dynamic analysis (DAST) techniques. We decompile and analyze the application binary for hardcoded secrets, insecure configurations, and coding flaws. Concurrently, we run the application in a controlled environment, intercepting and analyzing network traffic to identify API vulnerabilities, insecure communication protocols, and runtime data leakage. This comprehensive approach ensures both the client-side application and its supporting backend infrastructure are rigorously tested.
What we need from you
- →App build (APK/AAB for Android, IPA or TestFlight access for iOS) or store link
- →Test accounts
- →API documentation if available
- →Scope and written authorization
- →Device/platform details
Frequently asked questions
Do you test Android and iOS?
Yes. The scope can include one or both platforms depending on availability, business need, and the specific application architecture.
Is backend API testing included?
Yes, mobile assessments inherently include a significant degree of backend API review, because many of the most serious mobile risks actually reside in the API layer.
