Smartphones have become a common commodity in our day-to-day life. With a penetration of around 90%, smartphones and mobile application security testing have become lifestyle necessities for an average person. It is used by around 90% of the world population.
It is not just a calling device but the other features such as Wi-Fi, GPS, Camera, etc, and various mobile applications are used through a smartphone.
These applications that run on a smartphone require several permissions from their users to work seamlessly. These permissions can be – access to data storage, location, camera access, and many more.
Today, the applications that run on a smartphone are the key for hackers to infect a device and steal sensitive customer data. Also, sometimes you will find that chromecast source not supported and it becomes little challenging..
There are various kinds of mobile applications and their use cases, including – eCommerce, financial transactions, health-related tracking, matrimonial & dating apps, and the list is never-ending.
To protect all this data of customers, organizations/companies that develop these mobile applications need to make sure that it is sufficiently secured from any kind of cyber attack or hacking.
This is where mobile application security testing steps in. It is the ultimate way to protect customer data.
What is Mobile Application Security Testing and Why is It Important?
A breach of data is a potential risk for any customer. Approximately $461 billion in revenue was generated through mobile apps in 2019, according to Statista.
Cyber attacks on smartphones through mobile apps had increased by 50% in 2019 in comparison to 2018.
This is why mobile app security testing is necessary as it shows the position or level of cybersecurity for the mobile application.
Hackers will always target the sensitive information of the application users such as account details, email addresses, contact numbers, etc.
A pentest or security audit for the mobile apps simulates probable attacks and also the discovery of any possible security loophole. This in turn helps in securing an application better.
Mobile application security is not an easy thing. This is due to the various Operating Systems(OS) that these applications run on.
Types of Apps
- Native Apps: Made for particular platforms such as IOS or Android.
- Web Apps: JavaScript or CSS or HTML5 are used in making these. Web-hosted servers are used by these apps.
- Hybrid Apps: It is a mixture of Web apps and Native apps. These are made using HTML5, CSS, or Javascript, but work within a native container.
Various Types Of Attacks
Knowing the various types of attacks is necessary for successful mobile application security testing. Let us see how a hacker can have unauthorized access to a mobile app on your smartphone.
SMS Based
In this kind of attack, the hacker sends a malicious text or link via SMS. Despite being an old form of attack, it is still in use by hackers. A chain of attacks can be performed using this. Major attacks such as Account Takeover (ATO) can also be done.
Browser-Based
Any kind of attack method that uses a web browser is used to exploit web-based mobile applications. App components are injected with malicious scripts. Some common examples are phishing, clickjacking, etc.
Application Logic Based
A mistake in application logic such as improper SSL injection is exploited by a hacker. Such a loophole can be used to gain sensitive information for example passwords, email addresses, etc.
Tools for Mobile Application Security Testing
1. Mobile Security Framework (MobSF)
MobSF is an open-source mobile application security testing tool. The tool is automated that offers a penetration testing and vulnerability assessment framework for Android, iOS, and Windows mobile applications.
Key Features
- It is automated and open-source.
- Zipped and binary source codes are supported.
- Static & dynamic analysis on Windows, Android, and IOS platforms available.
- Any sensitive data is not exposed to the cloud.
- Easy to set up.
- Web API testing available.
2. FRIDA
Frida is a dynamic analysis tool for security testing which is widely used by developers and security researchers.
Developers or pen-testers can run Frida to test applications and modify code in the run-time, without requiring any re-launching or repackaging.
This allows pen-testers to exploit vulnerabilities in mobile apps or modify the app behavior to find security loopholes.
We will look at the key features that make Frida a brilliant mobile application security testing tool.
- Free and Open-source tool.
- Has a broad range of test cases.
- Multi-platform tools for iOS, Android, Windows, GNU/Linux, and QNX.
- The scriptable tool that allows you to execute custom debugging logic.
3. WhiteHat Security
WhiteHat Security provides one of the leading mobile application security testing tools, recognized by Gartner. It is known as WhiteHat Sentinel Mobile Express.
Other than mobile application security testing, WhiteHat also provides services such as web application security, computer-based training, etc.
Key Features
- Both Android and IOS are supported.
- Security loopholes are described clearly and in a nutshell, and accordingly, the solution is given.
- Detailed information is given about the status of a project.
- The security platform is cloud-based.
- Mobile application security testing is done on a real device by installing the application.
- It can detect security vulnerabilities faster than any other tool as it combines static and dynamic mobile app testing.
4. Android Debug Bridge
Android is a Google-developed mobile operating system. Android Debug Bridge is a versatile command-line tool. It helps in communicating with an android device and checks the vulnerabilities.
Since it is a client-server program, it uses a client (sends the command), a daemon (runs the command), and a server (manages the communication between the other two).
Key Features
- Real-time monitoring.
- Communicates with devices.
- Shell commands are used to operate at the system level.
- Can be integrated with Google’s Android Studio IDE.
5. Kiuwan
This mobile application security testing tool has the largest technological coverage. Kiuwan can be set up in minutes to scan, identify, and remediate the loopholes You can choose from a set of coding rules and customize as per your requirement.
It supports more than 30 languages. Software composition analysis, along with static code analysis is included in the testing.
6. Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)
Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) is an open-source tool maintained by OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project).
ZAP has a good set of capabilities and features to perform both manual and automated penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in an application.
This tool helps your web and mobile app development process stay secure and also offers a wide community audience that further helps you in building well-secured software. ZAP tool supports 20 different languages.
Key Features
- Offers Intercepting proxy allows you to analyze, modify, inject traffic into the message content passing between your browser and application server.
- Offers an automated scanner to find out vulnerabilities.
- The tool also offers port scanning, brute-force scanning & advanced SQL injection scanning & WebSockets scanning.
7. Drozer
MWR Infosecurity has developed Drozer as a mobile application security testing tool. It takes very little time to detect the vulnerabilities. It runs on android devices along with emulators.
Key Features
- All areas of cybersecurity are covered by Drozer.
- Supports no other platform but Android.
- Can work on both android devices and emulators.
- Open-source program.
- The threat area is discovered and interacted with by Drozer.
Keep the Tools ready for Any Threat!
We have just discussed various tools for mobile application security testing. It is necessary to operate in a safe environment.
With the increase in cybercrime every day you also need to keep your guards up. There are many ways in which a hacker can cause you trouble.
This is where VAPT (vulnerability assessment and penetration testing) tools will come in handy. You must remember that the hackers are waiting for you to commit a mistake or put your guards down.
The mobile application security testing tools help to secure the sensitive data of but you and your customers. It is both your right and necessity to stay safe.
