Checking the Security threats in Mobile Applications

Today in this busy world, nothing is possible without a mobile device. Almost everybody does daily activities like business, social and financial transactions through a mobile application. Every business, even small or big has its mobile application to simplify their day-to-day activities. They are also the most important document to be secured as they contain personal data and sensitive information.

But when it comes to the security of this mobile application it is a very big concern for all organizations. More data flows through mobile applications and the possibility of security vulnerabilities opens doors for security risks.

To improve the security and vulnerabilities of the mobile applications, then the security and vulnerabilities on both the server side and APIs must be covered.

Let’s see some of the most used mobile security tools for mobile applications.

1. Mobile security framework

It is a fully automated and comprehensive framework used on Windows, iOS, and Android devices. This app can be used for security analysis, pen-testing, malware analysis, and many other tasks. It can do both static and dynamic analysis.

We can simply integrate the DevSecOps pipeline or CI/CD with MobSF’s REST APIs. Along with compressed source codes, it supports mobile app binaries like IPA, APK, and APPX.

Using this you can do instrumented testing and evaluations for runtime security using its dynamic analyzer.

2. Dexcalibur

It is a reverse engineering tool that completely focuses on instrumentation automation. Here most of the tasks are automated which is associated with dynamic instrumentation and they are

• Decompile bytecodes that were snatched
• Publish hook codes
• Control messages for hooks
• Dex file, class loader, and invoked method are processed by hook
• Identifying the interesting things are patterns to hook.

Partial small pieces can also be executed using Dexcalibur’s static analysis engine. To render the function that was just executed is its goal. It can also determine which function can be executed based on the configuration setting or call stack depth. By reducing opaque and pointless go to predicates, it creates cleaner bytecode versions that are easier.

3. Codified Security

Find security concerns and resolve them quickly with Codified. Here simply upload the app code and run a test using the scanner. It provides a complete report outlining security issues. The self-serve security scanner is called Codified.

It indicates that you must upload your app’s files to its platform. Then it can smoothly integrate with delivery cycles. You can easily establish compliance levels and set your own rules for static analysis engines.

4. App-Ray

It is one of the best to prevent apps from vulnerabilities. By integrating with EMM-MDM/MAM, it can check the mobile app from unknown sources and give better recognition. This scanner stops you from installing dangerous apps and can identify risks before they damage your data.

The vulnerability analysis can be incorporated into the application while developing them. It is also easy to perform analysis using the REST API. There can be certain trigger actions to prevent possible vulnerabilities.

Static code analysis is used to identify faults in coding, encryption, data breaches, and anti-debugging strategies. A dynamic and behavior-based analysis is done mostly for instrumental and accessing communication files.

5. StaCoAn

It is the best tool for performing static code analysis for mobile applications and is mainly used by developers, ethical hackers, and bug bounty hunters. The lines of code that contain API keys, API URLs, hardcoded credentials, decryption keys, coding faults, and much other information are examined by this tool.

The main reason behind the development of this tool is that improve the user interface’s graphical guidance and usability. Only APK files are supported by this tool now and IPA files will be added soon.

It also supports different file types like HTML, XML, Java, and JSON. Usually, its database comes with a table viewer to search for database files for keywords.

Impacts of inadequate Mobile App Security

Apps with vulnerability can cause severe effects on the organization. Once an attacker finds vulnerabilities in the application then they can exploit it in many ways.

1. Information loss

If the login credentials are accessed by the hacker, then it may cause severe consequences to both the customer and the organization.

2. Brand Assurance

Apps that are prone to vulnerabilities can lose customer trust. The organization suffers severe loss when customers leave them. Then the brand image and confidence breaks.

3. Revenue Loss

If the hacker gets access to debit and credit card details, then they can directly manipulate the bank transactions. Such types of attacks can destroy you if you are in financial or banking services.

4. Regulatory Issues

Most mobile apps include security guidelines. If the mobile app fails to meet the guidelines, then it may lose your data and it will lead to facing massive lawsuits that will end your business.

Bottom Line – How to Safeguard your Mobile Application?

A tester must select the best security testing tool according to the requirement of the mobile application.  It is not an easy task and requires a lot of research and knowledge. It is also very important for a tester to think from a hacker’s perspective to analyze and protect the mobile application.

Sapizon Technologies is a leading mobile app testing company to meet the needs of all businesses. We build most secure mobile apps in the market.