How to Find Vulnerabilities In iOS and Android Apps: Our Top Tips

With the increasing advancement of technology and the increasing reliance on mobile devices, mobile apps have become essential to people’s daily lives. According to data from statista.com, mobile apps were downloaded onto user devices over 255 billion times in 2022. It indicates a significant increase in the use and dependence of mobile apps in our daily lives. The use of mobile apps has increased not only in terms of downloads but also in terms of revenue generated. In the second quarter of 2022, an average of $4.86 was spent on mobile apps, including iOS and Android apps.

With the increased use of mobile apps, businesses and individuals are turning to them for various purposes, such as instant messaging, online banking, business functions, and mobile account management.

However, most of the apps that people rely on today are not free from vulnerabilities. Mobile application vulnerabilities are security weaknesses in a mobile app’s design, implementation, or configuration that attackers can exploit. These vulnerabilities can lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data, disruption of app functionality, or compromise of the app’s device. Such vulnerabilities include insecure data storage, network communication, authentication and authorization, and code.

In this article, you will learn tips on discovering vulnerabilities in Android and iOS applications.

Table of Contents

Have Proper Knowledge On Types of Android and IOS Apps Vulnerabilities

To ensure the security of Android and iOS apps, it is essential to understand the types of vulnerabilities that may exist in these applications.

Individuals and organizations can identify security issues and solve them before attackers take advantage of them by having a thorough understanding of the various types of vulnerabilities that can be present in mobile apps. Below are some of the types of vulnerabilities available in android and iOS applications;

Weak Authentication And Authorization: Weak authentication and authorization mechanisms are one of the most widespread vulnerabilities in mobile apps. It might happen if the app does not adequately verify user identities or permits unauthorized access to private data.

Insecure Data Storage: Insecure data storage is another frequent flaw in mobile apps. This can happen when the app’s data security is lax, leaving the data open to theft or unauthorized access.

Insufficient Cryptography: Insufficient cryptography is another type of vulnerability that can exist in mobile apps. This might happen if the application uses weak or easily cracked encryption.

Finally, taking a course on mobile app security can be an effective way to understand the types of vulnerabilities present in mobile apps and how to address them.

Test the Apps Input Validation

When identifying flaws in iOS and Android apps, it’s important to “test the app’s input validation.” The process of making sure that the information received by the app is accurate and in the right format is known as input validation. Security flaws like buffer overflow, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks can be found and avoided by testing the app’s input validation.

It’s critical to ensure that the app can handle malicious inputs without crashing or changing the data when testing the input validation. This can be achieved by entering unexpected or incorrect data into the app’s fields and watching how it responds. A vulnerability that must be fixed may indicate if the app crashes or if the data is altered. Testing the app’s input validation can be done by using any of the following methods;

Manual testing: Involves manually inputting unexpected or malformed data into the app’s fields and observing the app’s behavior. If the app crashes or the data is manipulated, it could indicate a vulnerability that needs to be addressed.
Use Fuzz Testing: Fuzz testing is automated testing that involves inputting random, unexpected, or malformed data into an app’s fields. This testing type can help identify vulnerabilities that may not be detected by manual or other automated testing methods.
Automated Testing: Automated testing tools can test the app’s input validation. These tools can simulate various input scenarios and identify any potential vulnerabilities. Some popular automated testing tools include OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, and Nessus.
Perform A Penetration Test: Penetration testing is a method of simulating an attack on an app to identify vulnerabilities. It can be done by inputting malicious data into the app’s fields and observing how it behaves.

It is crucial to note that these methods are incomplete, and the specific testing method will depend on the type and complexity of the app. The testing should be done at various stages of development, including during development, before, and after, to ensure that vulnerabilities are detected and addressed promptly.

Use Specialized Tools Like Mobile Apps Scanner

Using specialized tools like mobile app scanners is one of the most efficient ways to discover vulnerabilities in iOS and Android apps. These scanners are made specifically for identifying and analyzing the security of mobile apps, and they can help find a variety of security issues, including shoddy authentication and authorization processes, unsafe data storage, and other flaws that attackers may exploit.

One of the key advantages of using specialized mobile app scanners is that they can automatically analyze the app’s code and identify potential vulnerabilities. This allows for a more efficient and effective security assessment, as the scanner can quickly identify potential issues and provide detailed information about how to address them. Some of the popular app scanners to use include Astra Pentest, Codified Security, Dexcalibur, etc.

Penetration Testing

Penetration testing, also called pen testing, is a powerful tool for identifying vulnerabilities in iOS and Android apps. This testing method simulates an attack on the app to identify vulnerabilities that attackers could exploit. Penetration testing can be done by ethical hackers or security experts who can identify and exploit vulnerabilities, providing valuable information on how to address them.

Penetration testing can be a valuable tool for identifying a wide range of vulnerabilities, including authentication and authorization, input validation, and data storage. It can also help to identify vulnerabilities that automated tools or manual testing methods may not detect.

Conclusion

It is essential to identify iOS and Android app vulnerabilities to ensure mobile app security. By implementing the various tips listed above to identify and address vulnerabilities, organizations and individuals can reduce the risk of a security breach and protect sensitive data.