iOS & Android

Mobile App Penetration Testing

Security assessment of iOS and Android applications including data storage, network communications, and reverse engineering protection.

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Coverage

Mobile Security Testing Areas

Comprehensive testing for iOS and Android platforms

iOS Security

Testing of iOS applications including keychain security, jailbreak detection bypass, and data protection

Android Security

Android app testing covering root detection, content providers, and broadcast receivers

Local Data Storage

Analysis of SQLite databases, shared preferences, and file system storage for sensitive data

Authentication

Biometric bypass, session management, and credential storage security testing

Network Security

TLS/SSL implementation, certificate pinning, and man-in-the-middle attack resistance

Reverse Engineering

Binary analysis, code obfuscation evaluation, and tampering detection

Process

Our Mobile Testing Methodology

Following OWASP Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG)

1

Static Analysis

Decompile and analyze application binaries for vulnerabilities

2

Dynamic Analysis

Runtime testing with debugging and traffic interception

3

Data Storage

Examine local storage, caches, and logs for sensitive data

4

Network Testing

Test API calls, certificate validation, and encryption

5

Authentication

Test login flows, session handling, and biometric security

6

Platform Security

Verify proper use of OS security features and permissions

Deliverables

What You Receive

  • Complete security assessment report
  • Static and dynamic analysis findings
  • Data storage security evaluation
  • Network communication security review
  • Platform-specific recommendations
  • OWASP Mobile Top 10 mapping
How it works

What a Mobile App Penetration Test Looks Like

Client, transport, and backend tested together, on real devices

Scoping across platforms and the backend

A mobile test covers three things: the application binary on the device, the traffic between the app and its backend, and the backend APIs themselves. We scope on the platforms in use (iOS, Android, or both), whether the build is native, React Native, Flutter, or hybrid, and the number of backend endpoints the app calls.

  • Typical effort: 6 to 10 testing days for an app on both platforms with a shared backend.
  • Access we need: signed test builds (IPA and APK or AAB), test accounts per role, and a non-production backend or an agreed production window.
  • Devices: testing is performed on physical jailbroken and rooted devices plus stock devices, so we can confirm both what an attacker can do and what a normal user is exposed to.

Static and dynamic analysis, then the backend

We decompile and review the binary for secrets, insecure storage, and weak cryptography, then instrument the running app to bypass root and jailbreak detection, certificate pinning, and client-side checks. With the traffic exposed, the backend receives a full API penetration test, because the app is only as secure as the services it talks to.

Reporting for mobile and backend teams

Findings are split by owner: device-side issues with the file path, class, or method involved, and backend issues with the reproducible request. Each carries CVSS scoring and a remediation that references the platform API or library to use.

Retest before the store release

We retest critical and high findings on the fixed build within 30 days at no cost and issue a letter of attestation you can include in app-store, partner, or regulator submissions.

Coverage

Vulnerability Classes We Test For

Aligned to the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS)

Data storage and privacy

Credentials, tokens, and personal data in shared preferences, plist files, SQLite databases, logs, backups, clipboard, and screenshots. Keychain and Keystore usage is checked for correct protection classes and biometric binding.

Cryptography and key management

Hard-coded keys, weak or misused algorithms, custom crypto, predictable initialisation vectors, and keys derived from device identifiers. We confirm what is actually encrypted at rest rather than what the design document says.

Network and transport

Certificate validation, pinning implementation and bypass resistance, cleartext fallbacks, and sensitive data in URLs or third-party SDK traffic. Analytics and advertising SDKs are inspected for data they send that your privacy policy does not mention.

Platform interaction and code quality

Exported activities, content providers, and intents on Android; URL schemes, universal links, and pasteboard on iOS; WebView configuration and JavaScript bridges; deep-link parameter injection; and tamper and repackaging resistance for apps where integrity matters.

Authentication and backend authorisation

Biometric and PIN implementations that can be bypassed in the client, session handling across app restarts, and the full set of API authorisation checks against the backend, including object-level access between users.

Compliance

Standards and Compliance Mapping

Frameworks the test is mapped to

Every finding is tagged to the control it evidences, so the report drops straight into an audit pack instead of needing a second translation exercise. For mobile application engagements the mappings we deliver by default are:

  • PCI DSS v4.0 Requirement 11.4: external and internal penetration testing on a defined methodology, with retest evidence for exploitable findings.
  • ISO/IEC 27001:2022 Annex A 8.8 (management of technical vulnerabilities) and A 8.29 (security testing in development and acceptance).
  • SOC 2 Common Criteria CC7.1 and CC4.1: vulnerability identification and independent evaluation of control effectiveness.
  • OWASP Web Security Testing Guide, OWASP ASVS, and PTES as the underlying methodology references cited in the report.
  • Regulatory expectations for reasonable security safeguards, including data-protection regimes such as the GDPR and India's DPDP Act, where the application handles personal data.

What auditors receive

The report includes a methodology statement, tester attestation, scope and exclusions, a findings register with CVSS v3.1 scores, evidence for each finding, and a signed retest letter once fixes are verified. Customers use the same pack for customer security questionnaires, cyber-insurance renewals, and procurement due diligence.

Further reading: Mobile app pentesting on iOS and Android · API penetration testing methodology · Penetration testing vs vulnerability assessment

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