Methodology

The mobile Penetration Testing followed a structured and systematic approach, tailored to the unique characteristics of APK and iOS applications:

Pre-engagement Planning:
During this phase, the Penetration Testing team collaborated with XXX’s Company IT and development teams to define the scope of the engagement. The scope included the specific mobile applications, testing objectives, and the rules of engagement to ensure ethical boundaries were respected.

APK Testing:
For the APK applications, the testers utilized dynamic analysis tools and decompilation techniques to analyse the code and identify potential vulnerabilities. They assessed the application’s data storage, communication with external servers, and implemented security features.

iOS Testing:
For the iOS applications, the testers used static analysis tools and manual inspection to review the application’s binary code, identifying possible weaknesses in the data storage, encryption, and usage of sensitive APIs.

Network Analysis:
During the testing, the team also examined the network communications made by the mobile applications. They monitored traffic to identify any unencrypted data transmissions, potential leakage of sensitive information, or susceptibility to man-in-the-middle attacks.

User Input Analysis:
The testers analyzed how the mobile applications handled user input, looking for potential injection vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL injection, command injection) or any lack of input validation that could lead to various exploitation scenarios.

Post-Exploitation:
If any security vulnerabilities were successfully exploited, the testers performed post-exploitation activities to determine the extent of compromise and assess the potential consequences for XXX’s Company.

Reporting:
After completing the testing, the Penetration Testing team generated a comprehensive report that detailed the findings, the potential impact of each vulnerability, and provided actionable recommendations to address them effectively.

Found Vulnerabilities –

The mobile Penetration Testing revealed several critical vulnerabilities and security weaknesses in both XXX’s Company APK and iOS applications:

Insecure Data Storage
Some sensitive data, such as user credentials and API keys, were stored in cleartext within the APK, making it vulnerable to unauthorized access.

Lack of SSL Pinning
The application did not implement SSL pinning, leaving it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks.

Weak Server-Side Controls
The backend servers had inadequate input validation, enabling SQL injection and other attacks on the application’s data.

Insufficient Authorization
Some functionalities lacked proper authorization controls, allowing unauthorized users to access sensitive features.

iOS Application Findings:

• Inadequate Data Protection
  Sensitive data stored on the device were not adequately encrypted, increasing the risk of data exposure in case of device compromise.
• Use of Deprecated APIs
  The application used deprecated APIs that could be targeted by attackers for known vulnerabilities.
• URL Scheme Manipulation
  The application’s custom URL schemes were not properly validated, potentially leading to malicious application invocation.
• Lack of Jailbreak Detection
  The application could be run on jailbroken devices, exposing it to additional security risks.

Recommendations

Based on the findings, the Penetration Testing team provided the following recommendations to enhance the security of XXX’s Company APK and iOS applications:

Secure Data Storage:
Implement strong encryption and secure storage mechanisms for sensitive data, such as user credentials and API keys.

SSL Pinning:
Implement SSL pinning to ensure secure communication between the mobile applications and backend servers.

Input Validation:
Enforce strict input validation on both the client and server sides to prevent injection attacks.

Strong Authentication and Authorization:
Enforce robust authentication and authorization controls to restrict access to sensitive functionalities.

Implement Jailbreak Detection:
Incorporate jailbreak detection mechanisms to prevent the application from running on compromised devices.

Regular Security Updates:
Keep the mobile applications up-to-date with the latest security patches and updates to address any potential vulnerabilities in third-party libraries and APIs.

Conclusion
The mobile Penetration Testing engagement provided XXX’s Company with valuable insights into the security weaknesses present in their APK and iOS applications. By implementing the recommended security measures, XXX’s Company can significantly reduce the risk of successful attacks and enhance the overall security posture of their mobile applications. Regular Penetration Testing and continuous security monitoring will help XXX’s Company stay ahead of potential threats, safeguard sensitive user data, and maintain a high level of trust among their user base.