Mobile devices have become ubiquitous worldwide. For many people, their first interaction with the internet is through a smartphone. Businesses have responded to this shift by expanding their mobile-based sales strategies, with mobile commerce now accounting for more than 72.9% of total eCommerce sales [1]. However, when it comes to security, the situation is far less encouraging.
Organizations have struggled to keep pace with the growing volume and sophistication of mobile threats. Reports indicate that 97% of companies have experienced cyberattacks involving mobile devices, with 93% of mobile malware attacks originating from device networks. Additionally, there has been a 466% increase in zero-day exploits targeting mobile endpoints. Given the scale of these risks, conducting a mobile application security assessment is no longer optional—it is essential.
This article explains what a mobile application security assessment is, why it is critical for businesses, and how to perform a thorough security audit.
A mobile application security assessment evaluates the security posture of mobile applications running on platforms such as Android and iOS. Although these platforms include built-in security mechanisms, they are not foolproof. Malicious applications have repeatedly bypassed Google and Apple’s defenses, making their way onto user devices and compromising other apps, systems, and networks.
As a result, a mobile application security assessment must address risks across multiple layers: the mobile platform, the application itself, and user behavior. Vulnerabilities vary depending on factors such as the type of data processed, the nature of the business, and the intended users. For example, commercial apps must address risks related to payments and unsecured public networks, while internal enterprise apps may be more vulnerable to weak passwords and insecure internal Wi-Fi environments.
The mobile application security assessment typically begins with vulnerability scanning. A professional penetration tester then examines the application, APIs, back-end systems, and infrastructure by simulating real-world attack scenarios. Once testing is complete, the findings are documented in a detailed report that includes recommended mitigation strategies.
After identified vulnerabilities are fixed, a rescan is strongly recommended to verify that the security gaps have been adequately addressed.
The OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) is one of the most widely recognized frameworks for mobile application security assessments. OWASP also provides the Mobile Security Testing Guide (MSTG), a comprehensive manual covering security testing and reverse engineering techniques. The MSTG outlines technical methods for validating MASVS controls.
In addition, OWASP offers a Mobile App Security Checklist, which can be used during assessments to ensure alignment with MASVS and MSTG requirements. Google has stated that it recognizes developers who validate their applications against a defined set of MASVS Level 1 controls.
Security professionals rely on Static Application Security Testing (SAST) and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) to evaluate an application’s security posture.
SAST, also known as white-box testing, provides testers with access to the application’s internal code and logic. This allows for a deep analysis of vulnerabilities and is typically performed early in the software development life cycle (SDLC), after feature completion but before deployment.
DAST, or black-box testing, takes a different approach. Testers do not have access to internal information and instead attack the application from an external perspective, similar to a real-world attacker. While it may not uncover every vulnerability, DAST is more representative of live attack conditions. It is usually conducted later in the SDLC and can reveal runtime issues that SAST may miss.
Many assessments also use gray-box testing, which provides testers with limited internal knowledge—such as architecture or algorithms—to design more targeted test cases. This method combines elements of both white-box and black-box testing.
A comprehensive mobile application security assessment should include the following steps:
Once testing is complete, all findings are compiled into a comprehensive report. This document should provide clear, actionable insights and practical remediation steps. By addressing these findings, organizations can reduce risk, enhance security, and meet regulatory requirements. Ultimately, the assessment should help protect both the organization and its users from potential cyberattacks.
Mobile application security assessments should be conducted both before and after an app goes live. Security controls must function as expected, and development teams should be informed of edge cases that could later become vulnerabilities. Testing should be performed in a production-like environment and include both code and configuration reviews.
Given the complexity of modern applications, relying solely on developers to identify all security risks is unrealistic. ThreatScan is a SaaS-based vulnerability management and penetration testing platform designed to address this challenge. It performs in-depth scans, analyzes risks, and supports manual penetration testing. Users receive an instant threat score that reflects the security posture of their application, network, and organization.
ThreatScan also features an intuitive dashboard for tracking vulnerabilities, monitoring pentest progress, and managing remediation efforts. For additional support, the AI-powered chatbot Diana assists users in submitting tests, downloading reports, and answering cybersecurity or product-related questions in real time. ThreatScan provides 24/7 support and integrates with email, Jira, and Slack, enabling fast response and seamless collaboration.
Start your mobile application security assessment by contacting ThreatScan here.