Mobile applications have become central to daily operations, from banking transactions to enterprise communications. However, this reliance has also made them prime targets for cybercriminals. Pentesting mobile apps is essential to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities before exploitation. This article explores methodologies, tools, and best practices for assessing security in Android and iOS applications, aligned with standards like OWASP MASVS.
Understanding Mobile App Pentesting
Pentesting, or penetration testing, involves controlled attack simulations against mobile apps to uncover vulnerabilities. The OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) outlines key focus areas such as authentication, data storage, network communications, and business logic. Tests are categorized into:
- Static analysis: Code review to identify programming errors or insecure configurations.
- Dynamic analysis: Runtime behavior monitoring under various scenarios.
Methodologies and Key Tools
Phases of Mobile Pentesting
- Reconnaissance: Analyzing app functionality, permissions, and design.
- Enumeration: Mapping servers, APIs, and data entry/exit points.
- Exploitation: Testing security controls (e.g., weak authentication, encryption flaws).
- Reporting: Documenting vulnerabilities with mitigation recommendations.
Essential Tools
| Tool | Platform | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|
| Drozer | Android | Permission and activity analysis |
| Frida | Android/iOS | Real-time reverse engineering |
| Burp Suite | Multiplatform | HTTP/HTTPS traffic interception |
| MobSF | Android/iOS | Static and dynamic analysis |
| Objection | iOS | Jailbreak-free app modification |
Source: Veselin (2024)
Android Pentesting: Advanced Techniques
Specialists employ structured approaches for Android apps:
- APK Analysis: Decompilation using tools like MobSF. Example with
apktool:apktool d application.apk -o output - Traffic Interception: Proxy configuration with Burp Suite to verify:
- Valid SSL certificates
- Data encryption
- API vulnerabilities (e.g., missing rate limiting)
- Local Storage: Inspecting sensitive data in SharedPreferences, SQLite databases, or internal/external files.
iOS Pentesting: Unique Considerations
iOS apps present distinct challenges due to system restrictions:
- Binary Extraction: Tools like
frida-ios-dumpon jailbroken devices. - Traffic Analysis: Bypassing Certificate Pinning with Frida or Objection.
- Keychain Inspection: Verifying credential storage:
security find-generic-password -wa 'AppName' - Jailbreak Detection: Evaluating anti-jailbreak mechanisms via Cycript instrumentation.
Standards and Frameworks
Professionals rely on frameworks for comprehensive coverage:
Conclusion
Mobile app pentesting is a critical component of modern security strategies. As threats targeting mobile devices escalate, organizations must adopt regular assessments covering technical (code, communications) and logical (authentication, authorization) aspects. Combining automated tools with manual testing remains the most effective approach to uncovering complex vulnerabilities.
