Why Test Mobile App Security?
Many mobile apps store user credentials and other sensitive data on the device. They may also share this data with third-party services and platforms.
This makes mobile applications an important part of your organization’s overall attack surface. Threat actors might be able to exploit mobile app vulnerabilities to gain access to sensitive user data, or gain entry to your network.
Mobile app security is important because many organizations rely on mobile applications to connect with customers, employees, and stakeholders. Some businesses depend entirely on mobile apps to connect with users. Without comprehensive testing, cybercriminals and malicious insiders may leverage unsecured apps to conduct damaging cyberattacks.
Testing Demonstrates Mobile Security Compliance Standards
The mobile app industry has several standardized regulations concerning application security. Organizations that develop and publish mobile apps must make sure they follow the appropriate laws, which can vary for different apps, user locations, and jurisdictions.
Some of the major mobile app security regulations include:
- ADA MASA. The App Defense Alliance (ADA) has a published verification program called the Mobile App Security Assessment (MASA). This program provides Android developers with an independent security review badge on the Google Play store.
- PCI-DSS. The Payment Card Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) applies to all mobile apps that collect and process digital payment data. If you plan on processing cardholder data or accepting digital payments, you must comply with PCI-DSS security regulations.
- CCPA. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018 gives users more control over the way organizations use their personally identifiable information (PII). It applies to all applications that operate in the state of California or process the data of California residents.
- FFIEC. The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) is a US government agency representing five major banking regulators. In 2017 this agency published the Cybersecurity Assessment Tool that addresses sophisticated threats in software applications and services, including mobile apps.
- FISMA. The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) requires federal agencies to develop and implement information security programs. These apply to mobile apps developed by federal agencies and by their contractors.
- GDPR. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) applies to all organizations that process data on EU citizens. It describes specific measures to protect user data and respond to security incidents.
- HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a US federal law that applies to organizations in the healthcare industry. If your mobile app processes sensitive patient data, you will need to comply with HIPAA standards.
- NIAP. The National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) regulates the security of commercial IT solutions used in national security. Mobile apps designed for usage by the Department of Defense, the intelligence community, or third-party contractors must adhere to these guidelines.
What Security Issues Does Mobile App Security Testing Address?
All mobile users expect applications to provide a reliable level of security. However, developers often have a large number of security options and frameworks to choose from. Mobile app testing verifies the organization’s overall approach to application security (AppSec).
Some of the issues that mobile app testers may find include:
- Data storage flaws that allow third-party apps on the user’s device to access sensitive information.
- Inadequate authentication and authorization checks that malicious users could bypass.
- Accidentally implementing known vulnerabilities in data encryption or transfer protocols.
- Transmitting sensitive data through unsecured connections over the internet.
Mobile app security testing ensures your organization can catch and address these issues before attackers exploit them.
3 Types of Mobile Application Security Testing
Like other forms of penetration testing, there are three main categories of mobile app security testing:
- Black box testing is also called zero-knowledge testing. It gives the tester no additional context or information about the app being tested. This kind of test simulates the way a real-life threat actor might approach the app in question.
- White box testing, also known as full-knowledge testing, provides testers with the app’s source code and documentation. This speeds up the process and allows testers to launch fine-tuned test cases.
- Gray box testing only provides some information to the tester. Usually, the data provided is a set of login credentials. This type of test can show what the likely outcome of a malicious insider attack might be, making it a useful benchmark for mobile app security.
Gray box testing is the most common approach used in the security industry. While having full knowledge of the app’s source code offers faster, more comprehensive testing coverage, gray box testing comes with lower requirements that makes it a more accessible option.
Many security experts recommend white box testing for apps undergoing their first test. Giving security testers access to the app’s source code eliminates the need to have them decompile and de-obfuscate the code themselves, making the process much faster.
How To Conduct Mobile App Security Testing
Mobile app security tests often combine multiple types of analysis. This provides comprehensive insight into how the app responds to a wide range of potential threat scenarios. Most mobile application security tests involve two types of analysis:
1. Static Analysis
This type of analysis looks through the app’s source code to make sure its security controls are properly implemented. Most professional testers use a hybrid approach, combining manual and automatic testing to ensure optimal results.
- Automatic vulnerability scanning is ideal for catching known misconfigurations and similar issues. In this case, the app’s source code is checked against a series of predefined rules, often drawn from compliance frameworks or industry best practices.
- Manual code review requires searching for specific APIs and keywords that indicate potential security vulnerabilities. A mobile security expert then verifies whether the app executes the corresponding code appropriately. This can uncover flaws in business logic or app design that automated tools might not.
2. Dynamic Analysis
Dynamic analysis allows testers to review the way apps function in real-time. The purpose of dynamic testing is to discover security vulnerabilities in the mobile app while it is running.
Testers usually conduct dynamic analysis both on the mobile application layer and on its backend services. This helps ensure the app processes API requests and responses appropriately, while also checking for its security controls against common attack types.
Have Novawatch Test Your Mobile App
Novawatch provides comprehensive security testing services to organizations that rely on mobile apps to connect with users. Our team of penetration testers can help you identify security flaws, meet strict compliance goals, and protect users from sophisticated threats.
Entrust your mobile app security to Novawatch. Gain visibility into your mobile app’s vulnerabilities and close security gaps before threat actors have a chance to use them against you.
