Mobile Security Testing Guide: Insights From Cyber Resilience Experts and Organizations

What Is Mobile Application Security Testing?

On the technical side, mobile application security testing is the process of evaluating and refining your product’s defenses. Your project can be susceptible to internal issues, such as poor code, and external threats, like hackers. And security testing services aim to eliminate common and unique vulnerabilities in your app.

There’s another perspective to this practice. One that gives you a better outlook on its importance.

• The world is becoming more and more digitized. More devices, more data, more opportunities for hackers. Though cyber security practices constantly evolve, so do malicious agents. In a way, they have no choice but to adapt to current protection measures.
• With the above, surprisingly many businesses don’t invest enough in security. There’s never a 100% guarantee that a business is fully protected. So, a common choice is to secure the basics and critical components only.
• Quite a lot of people use their phones irresponsibly, so to speak. They either don’t understand what cyber security is, expect everything to be peachy by default, or don’t think that anything bad could happen to them. And when a problem does occur, it would be their fault, objectively. But they wouldn’t see it that way. They’re likely to think that the issue was on the service provider’s part.
• On the other hand, there’s a trend among younger generations that shows a growing awareness of the topic of security. People want not only protection but privacy as well.

All this points to the fact that security testing of mobile apps isn’t just a behind-the-scenes process. It has impacts that go beyond the back end:

• Higher revenue via uninterrupted operations and customer trust.
• Improved consumer loyalty.
• Stronger brand image.
• Competitive advantage.
• Peace of mind, etc.

So, here’s a better answer to the question, “What is security testing in mobile applications?”

Mobile app security testing means using QA services to safeguard your business and advance its chances for long-term success.

Сhallenges in Mobile Application Security Testing

Let’s begin our voyage to secure mobile application testing services with some bad news. There are traps and trails waiting for you on the way. We’re not bringing this up to worry you. It’s simply that you need to know what you’re getting into to create a mobile application security testing approach that genuinely protects your product.

Dynamic Threat Landscape

Hackers develop alongside cyber security practices. Even the latest protection measures can be bypassed with enough skill and effort. That means that you should continuously update and improve your security, rely on high-quality threat intelligence tools, and refine your team’s skills.

Diverse Platforms & Environments

The mobile device ecosystem is exceptionally diverse. There are tons of operating systems, device models, and OS versions. Not only will you have to work with nearly endless combinations of these aspects, but you’ll also have to account for platform-specific security features and vulnerabilities. Plus, you’re likely to invest a lot in device labs and cloud farms.

Third-Party Dependencies

Apps often rely on third-party libraries, SDKs, and APIs. All of them may have their own vulnerabilities or lack proper updates. And one issue on the external services’ side can compromise the app even if the core code is secure.

People-Related Vulnerabilities

Human error is among the top reasons for security breaches. Employees, developers, or users may unintentionally compromise security through weak passwords, poor coding practices, or risky behavior. If you want well-rounded protection, you ought to set up training programs, best practices, and rigorous policies to support your efforts.

Lack of Resources & Expertise

Budget and expertise are among the top issues for pretty much all companies. Without proper resource allocation and talent, you’re very likely to face incomprehensive testing, overlooked vulnerabilities, and even workflow bottlenecks.

And if you want to turn to QA outsourcing, which could cover a lot of your needs, there are still pains you might encounter. Possible lack of control, culture disparities, and even blatant exaggeration of an organization’s abilities. So, make sure to conduct thorough research before committing to anything.

OWASP Mobile Security Testing

Alright, now to the not-so-gloomy things. There are many exceptionally precise assets that will help direct your security testing for mobile applications. Here, we’ll discuss the core practices of the Open Worldwide Application Security Project.

OWASP is a well-known organization that provides free resources to improve software security. In their 2024 report, they highlight the biggest threats to mobile apps that teams should prioritize. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Weak or mismanaged credentials (e.g., hardcoded passwords).
2. Using vulnerable third-party components or insecure development practices.
3. Flaws in verifying user identity or access rights.
4. Failing to validate user input or app responses.
5. Lack of encryption for data in transit.
6. Poor handling of personal data.
7. Weak app code protections.
8. Incorrect app settings or unused features (e.g., debug mode).
9. Storing sensitive data in plain text or insecure locations.
10. Weak or outdated encryption methods.

Interestingly, most of these issues have been around for quite a while. This shows how common the above vulnerabilities are. Plus, they are easy for hackers to exploit. So, you should definitely put these aspects high up on your mobile app security testing checklist.

How to Do Security Testing for Mobile Applications

Now that we’re on the same page about mobile application security testing challenges, let’s move on to solving them. For the rest of this article, we’ll be focusing on approaches, practices, and tools that advance your cyber security. And this guide is based on our QA engineers’ experience with hundreds of projects, as well as OWASP’s recommendations.

Finding the Right Expertise

We’ll begin by reviewing mobile application security testing methodologies you can use.

Internal Security Team

Your first option is to assemble an in-house team that conducts security testing on an on-going basis. You call all the shots and decide how and who takes care of different aspects of digital defenses.

Pros:

• Deep understanding of the app and company processes.
• Immediate availability for quick issue resolution.
• Ensures long-term focus on security.

Cons:

• Expensive to build and maintain.
• May lack specialized expertise in niche threats.

This option best suits large companies or enterprises with complex, long-term projects.

Outsourced Cybersecurity Team

When outsourcing mobile application testing services, you hire a dedicated team that fully handles your security checks. Such crews can work on specific aspects, for example, conducting penetration testing, or take care of the entire testing cycle.

Pros:

• Access to advanced tools and specialized expertise.
• Scalable and cost-effective for one-off or periodic testing.
• Provides an unbiased perspective.

Cons:

• Limited knowledge of internal systems.
• May require careful vetting for reliability and confidentiality.

QA outsourcing commonly fits mid-sized companies or projects requiring specialized expertise for periodic or one-time assessments.

Bug Bounty

Bug bounties are programs where you invite ethical hackers to find and report vulnerabilities in your app. These “security researchers” are rewarded with monetary compensation or recognition based on the severity of the issue they uncover. You define how much access these specialists have and what issues they should center on.

Pros:

• Diverse perspectives expose unexpected vulnerabilities.
• Cost-effective (payment is based on results).
• Builds goodwill with the ethical hacking community.

Cons:

• Not suitable for detecting deeply embedded issues.
• Requires clear guidelines to avoid unmanageable submissions.

Bug bounties are ideal for mature projects that are already secure but want to go the extra mile by identifying hard-to-find vulnerabilities.

Crowd Testing

Crowd testing is somewhat similar to bug bounties. But in the case of the former, you pay a platform or a service provider to find people who meet your requirements. Plus, these specialists typically cover wider issues, like user experience and feature reliability. They also work on their own, diverse devices and focus on real-world scenarios.

Pros:

• Broad coverage of real-world conditions.
• Cost-efficient and scalable for different app versions.
• Fast feedback from diverse testers.

Cons:

• Limited focus on advanced security vulnerabilities.
• Coordination and quality control can be challenging.

Crowd testing suits startups, small-to-mid-sized companies, or any project targeting diverse user bases.

Something to note is that you don’t have to stick to one method for security testing mobile apps. It’s actually quite common, preferable even, to combine a few. The strengths of each mode can cover different needs and refine your project. But, of course, this does come with extra work on your part.

Mobile Application Security Testing Services

Another point of interest for your team is the approach to testing mobile applications for security vulnerabilities. Depending on what you use, you’ll have to find specific expertise or tools. Hence, before relying on any option, make sure you have relevant resources.

• Vulnerability scanning – use of automated tools to scan the app for basic security defects.
• Source code review – examination of the app’s code to find flaws like hardcoded credentials or input validation issues.
• Penetration testing – simulation of real-world attacks that locate and exploit vulnerabilities in the app.
• Risk assessment – evaluation of the app’s overall security posture via threat analysis.
• Compliance testing – verification of the app’s adherence to regulatory and industry security standards.

These mobile application security testing types have distinct purposes. And you shouldn’t prioritize one over another. Penetration testing, for instance, is considered to be among the most advanced practices. Yet, even it can’t cover everything.

So, take the above list as a selection of processes that build a strong security backbone.

Mobile Application Security Testing Techniques

There are also testing techniques you should include in your core security practices. We’ll review those that the OWASP mobile security testing guide defines as fundamental.

• Reverse engineering – deconstructing the app to understand its structure, code, and functionality. It helps identify vulnerabilities like hardcoded keys, API secrets, or poorly implemented encryption.
• Static analysis – reviewing the app’s source code or binary without executing it to identify insecure coding practices or data leakage.
• Binary analysis – examining the compiled version of the app (e.g., APK for Android, IPA for iOS) to identify security vulnerabilities and potential risks. Binary analysis works directly on the machine-readable executable files, making it valuable when source code is unavailable.
• Dynamic analysis – testing the app while it is running to observe its behavior, including API communications and runtime interactions.
• Tampering and runtime instrumentation – modifying the app or injecting custom code to test its resilience against manipulation or runtime attacks.

These security testing techniques for mobile applications aren’t all-encompassing. In other words, they are helpful but don’t offer holistic protection. So, apart from them, you should consider other practices, focusing on their value to your project specifically.

If you’re not sure where to start with all this, you could look up mobile application security testing standards that apply to your project. You can see what requirements are relevant to your app and select techniques that support them.

Mobile Application Security Testing Checklist

Regarding what exactly you should work on when security testing mobile applications, let’s turn to OWASP once more. The OWASP’s Mobile Application Security Verification Standard suggests checklists that help structure your security checks. These checklists feature the following points for verification for both Android and iOS:

• The app securely stores sensitive data.
• The app prevents the leakage of sensitive data.
• The app employs strong cryptography and uses it according to industry best practices.
• The app performs key management according to industry best practices.
• The app uses secure authentication and authorization protocols and follows the relevant best practices.
• The app performs local authentication securely according to the platform’s best practices.
• The app secures sensitive operations with additional authentication.
• The app secures all network traffic according to the current best practices.
• The app performs identity pinning for all remote endpoints under the developer’s control.
• The app uses IPC mechanisms securely.
• The app uses WebViews securely.
• The app uses the user interface securely.
• The app requires an up-to-date platform version.
• The app has a mechanism for enforcing app updates.
• The app only uses software components without known vulnerabilities.
• The app validates and sanitizes all untrusted inputs.
• The app validates the integrity of the platform.
• The app implements anti-tampering mechanisms.
• The app implements anti-static analysis mechanisms.
• The app implements anti-dynamic analysis techniques.
• The app minimizes access to sensitive data and resources.
• The app prevents the identification of the user.
• The app is transparent about data collection and usage.
• The app offers user control over their data.

This checklist comes with notes on verification levels. The checklist is split into smaller tests that sometimes vary depending on the mobile OS.

Mobile Application Security Testing Scenarios

The checklist above can provide a general framework for security testing. Meanwhile, OWASP specifies what to include in each check for each platform. Hence, you get at least several testing scenarios to cover to verify each item.

For example, let’s take “The app securely stores sensitive data.” The scenarios to include in this set of checks include the following:

• Testing the Device-Access-Security Policy (Android).
• Testing Local Storage for Sensitive Data (Android).
• Testing Local Data Storage (iOS).

Testing for access-security policy will also require a few smaller steps. In particular, you need to test PIN- or password-protected device locking. Examples of such scenarios are:

• Verify that an app’s functionality is available after a user enters a correct password.
• Verify that a user cannot access the functionality if entering an incorrect password.
• Verify that an app displays the password hint after a user clicks “Password hint.”
• Verify that a user can access the functionality for resetting a password.

You’ve got the idea. The checklist may seem manageable, and it is for a security team. Yet, it will expand into more levels of checks, more targeted and nuanced, aimed to look into the tiniest details.

Mobile Application Security Testing Steps

So far, we’ve been talking about the elements of security testing in mobile applications. It’s time to put them all together and figure out where each lies in the overall testing process.

Based on the type of cyber security services, their workflow will differ significantly. Plus, every team can have different procedures for them. That’s why we’ve opted for a process that’s somewhat generalized when it comes to security testing as such.

Step 1: Preparation & Strategy

Cybersecurity experts familiarize themselves with your software, team, and processes. They define objectives, scope, and methods, identifying key systems and workflows to test.

Step 2: Documentation & Planning

A detailed roadmap outlines steps, tools, resources, and timelines. Experts create test plans and scenarios to simulate attacks and pinpoint vulnerabilities.

Step 3: Execution

The planned activities are carried out using selected tools and techniques to identify weaknesses, risks, and misconfigurations.

Step 4: Reporting

Findings are documented in detailed reports for stakeholders. These highlight threats, vulnerabilities, and the potential impact on your business.

Step 5: Mitigation & Stabilization

Experts recommend and help implement fixes, prioritizing issues by severity. The team can oversee improvements or leave implementation to you.

If you’d like to know how security services differ in their processes, do read on. Alternatively, you can skip to the next section where we discuss best practices for security testing of mobile applications.

Particularities of the Mobile Security Process

So, the most significant distinctions will appear in step three. For instance, QA Madness’ Code Review service includes project familiarization, reporting, etc. But the execution itself is typically divided into the following:

1. Using automated tools to scan the source code for common vulnerabilities.
2. Manually reviewing the scan results to filter out false positives and verify the accuracy of identified defects.
3. Exhaustively investigating the source code by hand to find complex or subtle issues.
4. Running dynamic testing to gain deeper insights into how the system behaves.

Other types of services, like mobile application security and penetration testing or security audits, won’t be very similar. And that’s the point.

For a genuine, precise impact, there needs to be a tailored strategy and personalized process. You won’t find a cookie-cutter structure that tells you how to do mobile application security testing. You can use the processes you find as references. But don’t think they’ll fit your needs like a glove. It’ll be more like putting a sock on your head.

There are some steps that should always be included, like obtaining good knowledge on the project and detailed reporting. But everything else should be highly customized. That’s the only way to ensure you have defenses that are valuable for your product.

Mobile Application Security Testing Best Practices

Here, we’ll chat about some things that are universal for good security. And you should always strive to include them in your SDLC. Best practices are insights that have been tested and proven by thousands of experts. And our team has made sure they actually work, too. So, these tips on running security testing on mobile applications are QA Madness approved.

• Begin with secure coding standards. They minimize vulnerabilities from the start and integrate security checks during the development process.
• Identify potential attack vectors and threats early. Analyze the app’s architecture, data flow, and potential points of compromise.
• Test for issues like insecure storage, weak encryption, and improper data transmission to ensure sensitive data is protected.
• Check APIs for authentication flaws, data leaks, and improper access controls. These aspects are sweet spots for hackers.
• Use static application security testing (SAST) for code analysis and dynamic application security testing (DAST) to test the app’s behavior in runtime.
• Consider OS-specific vulnerabilities, such as insecure permissions or improper usage of platform features.
• Scan third-party libraries and SDKs integrated into the app for vulnerabilities or outdated versions.
• Perform penetration testing to emulate real-world attack scenarios, focusing on business logic and end-user interactions.
• Test for adherence to mobile application security testing standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or OWASP Mobile Top 10.
• Use automated tools for efficiency. And supplement them with manual testing to uncover complex vulnerabilities.
• Revisit security testing after updates or major changes to the app. New features can introduce vulnerabilities, and you need to keep your hand on the pulse.

And there’s another thing we think should be included in best practices – genuine expertise. After all, if you have a skilled team, every security testing difficulty can be either bypassed or resolved.

Mobile Application Security Testing Tools

Finally, we need to mention software assets involved in the security testing of mobile applications – the tools. There are hundreds of them. Some are good, some are bad. And some are good but bad for you.

When you select your helper programs, you shouldn’t get hung up on their reviews and ratings too much. Even revered options might not work out for you simply because they can’t cover what you need. We recommend prioritizing these three aspects in your selection process:

1. How well the tool can handle your requirements.
2. How familiar your team is with that tool.
3. How easily will it scale to accommodate changing needs.

You definitely shouldn’t disregard the price, available community, and overall ranks of the tools. But these elements aren’t the priority because they don’t have that degree of an impact on your security testing results.

We can’t offer mobile app security testing tools that’ll suit you. We don’t know your project specifics, so pushing options won’t be of use. Instead, we’ll take a look at a few popular tools. And you can see what “good variants” provide to better understand what you should be looking for.

OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)

OWASP ZAP is an open-source DAST tool designed to detect vulnerabilities in web applications. It operates as a “man-in-the-middle” proxy to intercept, analyze, and test data exchanges between the browser and the app.

Pros:

• Free and open-source, with extensive community support.
• Supports both passive and active scanning for comprehensive vulnerability detection.
• Highly extensible through plugins and add-ons.
• Simple to set up and use, suitable for beginners and experts.

Cons:

• Limited capabilities for scanning complex authentication or business logic flaws.
• Can produce a high number of false positives without fine-tuning.
• Not tailored specifically for mobile apps but can be adapted for mobile backends.

Burp Suite

Burp Suite is a leading penetration testing platform that offers tools for identifying vulnerabilities in applications. It includes features like a proxy, scanner, and repeater.

Pros:

• Robust suite of tools for manual and automated testing.
• Detailed and customizable scans with support for advanced scripting (via Burp Extensions).
• Offers a professional edition with powerful scanning features.

Cons:

• Expensive for professional use.
• Steeper learning curve for beginners compared to simpler tools.

MobSF (Mobile Security Framework)

MobSF is an open-source framework for mobile app security testing that supports static, dynamic, and malware analysis for Android and iOS apps.

Pros:

• Comprehensive analysis for static code, binary, and dynamic behaviors.
• Supports a wide variety of file formats like APK, IPA, and source code.
• Integrates easily with CI/CD pipelines.

Cons:

• Requires some expertise to interpret detailed reports.
• Limited advanced dynamic testing compared to dedicated DAST tools.

Checkmarx One

Checkmarx One is a unified app security platform designed to secure software throughout its entire development lifecycle. It integrates multiple security testing tools. So, it allows teams to identify and remediate vulnerabilities across different app layers and components.

Pros:

• Combines several testing methodologies (SAST, SCA, IaC, and more) in one platform.
• Offers detailed insights and recommendations.
• Integrates with CI/CD pipelines.
• Designed for quick deployment and minimal learning curve.
• Supports large enterprises with multi-language applications and complex systems.

Cons:

• Might not suit small businesses with limited budgets.
• Initial setup and integration with existing workflows may require effort, especially in non-standard environments.

NowSecure

NowSecure is a mobile app security testing platform offering automated testing for compliance and vulnerability management.

Pros:

• Provides comprehensive automated static and dynamic analysis.
• Reports tailored for compliance with standards like OWASP, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
• Strong support for DevSecOps with CI/CD integration.

Cons:

• Costly for small teams or individual specialists.
• Some advanced features may require technical expertise to utilize fully.

Veracode

Veracode specializes in scanning mobile app binaries to detect vulnerabilities. It centers on static and software composition analysis.

Pros:

• No need for source code; scans binaries directly.
• Strong focus on identifying third-party library risks.
• Excellent compliance support and enterprise-grade reporting.

Cons:

• Limited dynamic testing capabilities.
• Pricing can be prohibitive for smaller organizations.

Appknox

Appknox is a cloud-based mobile security platform offering static and dynamic testing, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities quickly.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface with actionable insights.
• Supports CI/CD pipelines for integration into DevOps workflows.
• Provides fast and automated vulnerability detection.

Cons:

• Less suitable for in-depth manual testing.
• Dependency on internet connectivity for its cloud-based services.

And one more thing. We know how nice those “pros” sections look. Yet, they’re always followed by some cons. And for refined results, you should make sure you evaluate mobile app security testing tools holistically.

To Sum Up

On some level, people trust mobile devices with their lives. Those tiny boxes filled with electronics do so much for them. And users are one issue away from pure panic. So, though it’s far from easy, secure your apps properly. Work with skilled teams. Use the bestest of best practices. Invest in high-quality tools.

It’s all for your happy customers, successful business, and a safer world.