Our Mobile Application Penetration Testing Methodology

Mobile apps are increasingly becoming targets for cyberattacks, making it essential to identify and address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Our mobile app penetration testing methodology ensures that your applications are thoroughly tested for weaknesses across multiple areas, including code, data storage, and network communications.

1. Planning & Scope Definition

We start by understanding your mobile app's architecture, including the platforms (iOS, Android, or hybrid) and key features. Together, we define the scope of the test, identifying the app components and backend services that will be evaluated.

2. Static Analysis

Our team performs static analysis of your mobile app’s source code or binary files to identify vulnerabilities. This includes searching for hardcoded credentials, insecure API keys, and improper permissions that could expose sensitive data.

3. Dynamic Analysis

We execute dynamic testing by running the app on real devices or emulators. This allows us to monitor the app’s behavior during runtime and test how it handles various attack scenarios, including network interception, session hijacking, and data leakage.

4. Network Security Testing

Our experts test the communication between the mobile app and backend servers, checking for vulnerabilities such as unsecured transmissions, weak encryption, and poorly implemented authentication mechanisms.

5. Exploitation

In this phase, we attempt to exploit identified vulnerabilities to assess the impact on your mobile app. This may include bypassing authentication, accessing sensitive data, or altering the app’s functionality.

6. Reporting & Remediation Recommendations

Following the testing, we provide a comprehensive report detailing the vulnerabilities found, the risk they pose, and specific recommendations for remediation. This ensures that your development team has the guidance they need to secure the app effectively.

Tools & Techniques

Global Bug Hunters utilizes the latest tools and techniques to conduct thorough mobile application penetration tests. We combine both automated and manual testing methods to ensure that your apps are secure against a wide range of attacks.

Our Tools Include

• MobSF (Mobile Security Framework): A tool for performing static and dynamic analysis of Android and iOS apps, including vulnerability scanning and API testing.
• Frida: A dynamic instrumentation toolkit that allows us to intercept, modify, and monitor mobile application processes in real-time.
• Burp Suite: A comprehensive tool for testing the security of mobile apps’ backend communications, APIs, and data transmission protocols.
• Jadx: A tool for decompiling and reverse-engineering Android apps, allowing us to analyze the app’s code for vulnerabilities.
• Wireshark: A network traffic analyzer used to capture and inspect data packets, identifying insecure communications and data leaks.

Techniques We Employ

• Static Code Analysis: Reviewing the source code or binary files for vulnerabilities, such as hardcoded credentials or insecure configurations.
• Dynamic Testing: Running the app in real-world scenarios to evaluate how it responds to various attack vectors.
• API Testing: Testing the security of the mobile app’s communication with backend services and APIs, ensuring they are not exposing sensitive data.
• Root/Jailbreak Detection Bypass: Evaluating the app’s ability to detect and resist execution on rooted or jailbroken devices.
• Network Traffic Interception: Using tools like Wireshark to monitor the app’s network traffic, identifying unencrypted data transmissions or insecure connections.