Attack Readiness

Your mobile app runs on networks
you do not control.

Security testing of iOS and Android applications across the full attack chain: client-side storage, network traffic, backend APIs, and runtime manipulation.

Request an assessment 24/7 Incident Hotline

What is a mobile app security assessment?

You know your app processes sensitive data. You have users on devices and networks you do not control. You get a full picture of every security risk in your mobile application, from how data is stored locally to how it travels to the backend. A mobile app security assessment tests both client-side (the app itself) and server-side (backend APIs) against OWASP MASVS. You receive platform-specific remediation guidance your developers can act on immediately.

About this service

Mobile App Security Assessment: the full chain

Mobile apps process the same sensitive data as web applications but operate in a fundamentally different threat landscape. Users install them on personal devices, data is stored locally, and communication runs over networks you do not control. A mobile app security assessment examines your iOS and Android app across the full chain of risks.

The team analyses both client-side (the app itself) and server-side (backend APIs). Client-side investigation includes reverse engineering of the app binary, analysis of local data storage, evaluation of cryptographic implementations, and checking anti-tampering measures. Server-side investigates the API communication for the same vulnerabilities as a web application pentest.

Many mobile apps rely on frameworks such as React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin. The team has experience with these cross-platform frameworks and knows where the security risks lie. Native iOS (Swift/Objective-C) and Android (Kotlin/Java) apps are fully supported.

Why this matters

Three mobile security risks that are often overlooked

Sensitive data stored insecurely on device

Tokens, credentials, and personal data stored in plain text in SharedPreferences, SQLite, or local files can be extracted from a rooted or jailbroken device in minutes.
Certificate pinning can be bypassed

Weak or absent certificate pinning allows network traffic interception on hostile networks. API keys, session tokens, and sensitive payloads become visible to an attacker with the right tooling.
Backend APIs trust the app too much

APIs designed for mobile clients often lack proper authorisation checks, assuming the app enforces restrictions. Attackers bypass the app entirely and call APIs directly, accessing data they should never see.

What gets tested

Scope of the mobile app security assessment

Local data storage (Keychain, SharedPreferences, SQLite, files)

Network traffic and certificate pinning

Authentication and session management

Authorisation and API security

Reverse engineering and code obfuscation

Cryptographic implementations

Inter-process communication (deeplinks, intents, URL schemes)

Third-party SDKs and libraries

Runtime manipulation and anti-tampering

Push notification security

Methodology

How DEFION conducts a mobile app security assessment

Scoping

Platform (iOS, Android, or both), version, test accounts, backend scope, and source code availability.

Static analysis

Reverse engineering of the app binary, source code review (if available), checking for hardcoded secrets and configurations.

Dynamic analysis

Runtime testing on physical device or emulator, intercepting network traffic, manipulating app behaviour.

API analysis

Testing backend APIs for authentication, authorisation, input validation, and excessive data exposure.

Exploitation

Demonstrating actual impact: data extraction, account takeover, unauthorised access to API endpoints.

Reporting

Report with client-side and server-side findings, CVSS scores, MASVS compliance overview, and platform-specific remediation steps.

What you receive

Deliverables

Executive summary
Technical report with client-side and server-side findings
OWASP MASVS compliance overview
Platform-specific remediation steps (iOS and Android separately)
API security overview
Report debrief with development team

Target audience

Who is a mobile app security assessment for?

Any organisation with a mobile app that processes sensitive data or provides access to business systems needs to understand the security risks specific to mobile platforms.

Organisations with customer-facing mobile apps (banking, healthcare, retail)
Companies launching a new app or major update
Organisations with apps processing personal data, financial data, or health data
Companies that need to demonstrate app store compliance
IoT manufacturers with accompanying mobile companion apps

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

Do you test on real devices or emulators?

Both. Certain vulnerabilities are only reproducible on physical devices (biometric bypass, hardware-backed keystore), while emulators are more efficient for other tests. The team uses the right combination per test scenario.

Do you need access to our source code?

Not necessarily. A black box assessment on the app binary is possible and realistic. Access to source code (white box) makes the test more thorough and efficient. The team advises which approach suits your situation.

Is the backend also tested?

Yes. The app is only half the story. Backend APIs are included in scope, covering authentication, authorisation, and data validation.

How long does a mobile app security assessment take?

For one platform (iOS or Android) typically 5 to 8 days. For both platforms including backend: 8 to 12 days. Exact timeline depends on app complexity.

What if we use React Native or Flutter?

The team has extensive experience with cross-platform frameworks. These frameworks introduce specific security risks (JavaScript bridge exposure in React Native, Dart reflection in Flutter) that are explicitly tested.

Web Application Pentest

Learn more →

Code Security Review

Learn more →

Cloud Security Assessment

Learn more →