Many people believe iOS devices are more secure than Android devices, with Apple frequently highlighting security and privacy as key selling points. Its “walled garden” ecosystem restricts users to downloading apps exclusively from the official App Store, with sideloading largely prohibited. However, iOS security is not infallible. Over the years, several major threats have affected iOS applications—most notably the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, which bypassed Apple’s security controls to access messages, emails, and device cameras [1].
Although Apple has since addressed Pegasus-related vulnerabilities, new threats continue to emerge. For example, Apple recently released emergency patches for two zero-day vulnerabilities that it confirmed may have been actively exploited in the wild [2]. Furthermore, studies have found high-risk vulnerabilities in 38% of iOS applications [3].
As an app developer, it is critical to understand the vulnerabilities and exploit techniques that could threaten your iOS application and expose sensitive user data. Key areas of concern include data storage, communication security, and code protection. Implementing safeguards against tampering, reverse engineering, and unauthorized access is essential to maintaining application security.
Read on to explore the major threats affecting iOS mobile applications and the steps you can take to mitigate them.
While iOS and Android applications face some similar threats—such as malware, reverse engineering, and code vulnerabilities—the two platforms require different security approaches. Each has its own architectural risks and attack vectors. Addressing these challenges early in the development lifecycle is far more effective than attempting to fix them after deployment. Developers should also stay informed by regularly reviewing Apple’s security updates and advisories.
Below are some of the most significant security threats to iOS mobile applications.
Jailbreaking has existed since the earliest iPhone models, granting users—and attackers—unrestricted access to system settings and data. Although developers cannot prevent users from jailbreaking their devices, they can reduce risk by implementing additional validation checks. For example, insecure URL schemes can be exploited to trigger sensitive actions such as transactions without proper verification.
Third-party frameworks and SDKs pose significant security risks because they operate within the same sandbox as your application and often have access to sensitive user data, including location information. Developers should verify repository sources and licenses, conduct code reviews, and perform vulnerability assessments. Keeping SDKs updated is critical, and App Transport Security (ATS) should never be disabled for third-party libraries.
Application bundles can be reverse engineered to extract embedded resources. Developers should ensure that no sensitive data is stored in plaintext within the app bundle. Configuration files such as xcconfig files may contain private keys or credentials and must be protected through obfuscation to prevent exposure.
Although iOS applications are harder to reverse engineer than Android apps due to Apple’s closed ecosystem, it is still possible. While complete prevention is unrealistic, developers can significantly raise the barrier for attackers by implementing dynamic reverse-engineering protections, code hardening, obfuscation, function inlining, runtime protections, and additional encryption layers under SSL. Using Swift instead of Objective-C can also reduce reverse engineering risks.
The iOS Keychain can securely store sensitive data such as authentication tokens, health records, and payment information, but it is not immune to compromise. All sensitive data should be encrypted before being stored in the Keychain. Non-encrypted storage mechanisms such as UserDefaults are particularly vulnerable and should never be used to store confidential information like passwords or API keys, as these values are stored in plaintext plist files within the app bundle.
Man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks are increasingly common against iOS applications. In these attacks, adversaries intercept communication between the user and the application to steal sensitive data such as login credentials or credit card details. Implementing SSL pinning is strongly recommended, as it validates certificates manually and prevents attackers from using fraudulent certificates, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
Social engineering attacks exploit human behavior rather than technical vulnerabilities, making them particularly difficult to predict and prevent. Attackers use psychological manipulation to trick users into revealing sensitive information or granting unauthorized access.
Developers can mitigate these risks by using secure UI fields that mask sensitive input and by replacing screen contents when the app transitions to the background. Since iOS captures screenshots for the app switcher, displaying a login screen or app logo can prevent sensitive data exposure. Leveraging advanced Keychain security settings—such as restricting token access to unlocked devices only—can further limit attack impact.
Adopt the following best practices to strengthen iOS application security:
Detect code tampering and reverse engineering attempts as early as possible.
Use encryption extensively for data at rest and in transit, including APIs and communication keys.
Protect static and dynamic keys using white-box cryptography.
Avoid public Wi-Fi networks and secure private networks with strong passwords.
Enforce strong passwords and multi-factor authentication for users and employees.
Disable auto-correction and third-party keyboards for sensitive input fields.
Prevent automatic caching of HTTPS requests and responses.
Maintain encrypted backups to recover quickly from breaches or ransomware incidents.
iOS applications remain attractive targets due to their large and valuable user base. While Apple continues to address platform-level vulnerabilities, developers must actively secure their applications to maintain user trust and protect their reputations.
ThreatScan is a SaaS-based vulnerability management and penetration testing platform designed to help organizations identify and mitigate security risks. It performs deep system scans, evaluates vulnerabilities, and supports manual penetration testing. Users receive instant threat scores that reflect application, network, and organizational security posture, all accessible through an intuitive dashboard.
For additional support, ThreatScan’s AI-powered chatbot Diana assists with test submissions, report downloads, and cybersecurity-related queries in real time. With 24/7 support and integrations with email, Jira, and Slack, ThreatScan ensures rapid response and seamless collaboration.
Begin your secure iOS mobile application journey by contacting us here.
https://www.guardsquare.com/blog/3-ios-security-stats-that-might-surprise-you
https://thehackernews.com/2022/03/apple-issues-patches-for-2-actively.html
https://nerdzlab.com/how-to-prevent-security-threats-in-ios-app-development/
https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/man-in-the-middle-attack-mitm/
https://www.imperva.com/learn/application-security/social-engineering-attack
https://www.securing.pl/en/how-do-i-protect-an-ios-app-from-reverse-engineering/
https://www.we45.com/post/4-things-you-need-to-do-to-make-your-ios-apps-bulletproof