OWASP Mobile Top 10: Critical Security Risks

The bible of mobile risks. Includes Improper Platform Usage, Insecure Data Storage, Insecure Communication, and Code Tampering. The OWASP Mobile Top 10 lists the most critical security risks affecting mobile applications:

  1. Improper Platform Usage: Misusing platform features or security controls
  2. Insecure Data Storage: Storing sensitive data without encryption
  3. Insecure Communication: Failing to secure network traffic
  4. Insecure Authentication: Weak login mechanisms or session management
  5. Insufficient Cryptography: Using weak or broken encryption
  6. Insecure Authorization: Inadequate access controls
  7. Client Code Quality: Poor code quality leading to vulnerabilities
  8. Code Tampering: App modification or reverse engineering
  9. Reverse Engineering: Extracting sensitive logic or data
  10. Extraneous Functionality: Hidden features or debug code in production

Understanding these risks is the first step toward building secure mobile applications. Each risk requires specific mitigation strategies and testing approaches.

Static Analysis (SAST): Finding Vulnerabilities in Source Code

Scanning source code for secrets (API keys), dangerous functions (strcpy), and config errors. Tools: MobSF, SonarQube. Static analysis examines your code without executing it:

  • Secret Detection: Find hardcoded API keys, passwords, and tokens
  • Vulnerability Scanning: Identify dangerous functions and patterns
  • Code Quality: Detect bugs, code smells, and maintainability issues
  • Compliance: Check against security standards and best practices

Popular SAST tools include:

  • MobSF: Mobile Security Framework—comprehensive mobile app scanner
  • SonarQube: Code quality and security analysis
  • Checkmarx: Enterprise-grade SAST platform
  • Bandit (Python): Security linter for Python code
SAST should run on every commit. Catching vulnerabilities early saves time and prevents security incidents.

Dynamic Analysis (DAST): Testing Running Applications

Testing the running app. Hooking into functions, modifying memory, bypassing login screens. Tools: Frida, custom scripts. Dynamic analysis tests applications while they're running:

  • Runtime Hooking: Intercept function calls and modify behavior
  • Memory Inspection: Examine app memory for sensitive data
  • API Testing: Test authentication and authorization in real-time
  • Traffic Analysis: Monitor network communications

Frida is the most powerful tool for mobile app dynamic analysis:

  • JavaScript Injection: Write hooks in JavaScript
  • Function Interception: Hook into any function call
  • Memory Manipulation: Modify app state at runtime
  • Scripting: Automate complex testing scenarios

Dynamic analysis reveals vulnerabilities that static analysis misses, especially those related to runtime behavior and security controls.

Man-in-the-Middle Attacks: Intercepting Network Traffic

Intercepting traffic between app and server. Use tools like Burp Suite or Charles Proxy to inspect payloads. Defend with SSL Pinning. MITM attacks are a primary security concern:

  • Traffic Interception: Capture unencrypted or weakly encrypted data
  • Certificate Spoofing: Use self-signed certificates to intercept HTTPS
  • Session Hijacking: Steal authentication tokens and session cookies
  • Data Manipulation: Modify requests/responses in transit

Testing tools include:

  • Burp Suite: Professional web application security testing
  • Charles Proxy: HTTP proxy for debugging and testing
  • mitmproxy: Interactive man-in-the-middle proxy
  • OWASP ZAP: Free security testing tool

Defense: Implement SSL Pinning to ensure your app only communicates with your server. This prevents certificate spoofing but requires careful certificate management and rotation strategies.

Insecure Data Storage: Protecting User Data

Check SharedPreferences, Plist files, and SQLite databases for unencrypted user data. Dump the app sandbox to verify. Mobile apps store data in many places:

  • SharedPreferences (Android): Key-value storage—often unencrypted
  • Plist Files (iOS): Property lists—may contain sensitive data
  • SQLite Databases: Local databases—check for encryption
  • Keychain (iOS): Secure storage—use for sensitive data
  • Keystore (Android): Encrypted storage—preferred for secrets

Testing involves:

  • Sandbox Dumping: Extract app data directory
  • Database Inspection: Examine SQLite files directly
  • File Analysis: Search for unencrypted sensitive data
  • Root/Jailbreak Detection: Test if app prevents access on compromised devices

Always encrypt sensitive data at rest. Use platform-provided secure storage (Keychain/Keystore) for secrets like API keys and authentication tokens.

Security Testing Tools: The Pentester's Arsenal

Frida (runtime instrumentation), Objection (mobile exploration toolkit), MobSF (automated all-in-one scanner). Professional security testing requires the right tools:

  • Frida: Dynamic instrumentation toolkit—hook into running processes
  • Objection: Runtime mobile exploration—built on Frida
  • MobSF: Automated security testing framework
  • APKiD: Android packer identifier
  • JADX: Android decompiler—view source from APK
  • Class-Dump: iOS class information extractor
  • Hopper: Reverse engineering tool for iOS/Android

These tools enable comprehensive security testing, from automated scanning to deep manual analysis. Mastering them requires practice but is essential for thorough security assessments.

Automating Security in CI/CD Pipelines

Integrate MobSF or basic grep checks into your CI pipeline. Fail the build if AWS keys are detected in the code. Security automation prevents vulnerabilities from reaching production:

  • Secret Scanning: Detect API keys, passwords, tokens in code
  • SAST Integration: Run security scans on every commit
  • Dependency Scanning: Check for vulnerable libraries
  • License Compliance: Ensure open-source licenses are acceptable

Example tools for automation:

  • GitGuardian: Secret detection in Git repositories
  • Trivy: Container and dependency vulnerability scanner
  • Snyk: Dependency and container security
  • SonarQube: Continuous code quality and security

Implement security gates that block deployments when critical vulnerabilities are detected. This shifts security left and prevents issues from reaching users. Regular security audits and penetration testing should complement automated checks.

Remember: security is not a one-time activity but a continuous process. Regular updates, security patches, and threat modeling keep your apps protected against evolving threats.