Mobile App Security Testing (MAST)
Mobile app security testing, or MAST, assesses a mobile application's security to find and fix any flaws an attacker might exploit. Using various methods and resources, MAST evaluates the security posture of mobile apps on multiple operating platforms, including iOS and Android.
The primary objectives of Mobile App Security Testing are:
Identifying Vulnerabilities: MAST aims to uncover security weaknesses and vulnerabilities within mobile applications, including issues such as insecure data storage, communication, authentication flaws, authorization bypass, input validation vulnerabilities, and insecure coding practices.
Assessing Security Controls: MAST evaluates the effectiveness of security controls implemented within mobile applications, such as encryption, authentication mechanisms, access controls, and session management. It ensures these controls are correctly implemented and protected against common attack vectors.
Mitigating Risks: By identifying and prioritizing security vulnerabilities, MAST helps organizations reduce the risks associated with mobile app usage. It enables developers and security teams to address vulnerabilities through remediation efforts, such as code fixes, configuration changes, or the implementation of additional security controls.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements: Regarding mobile app security, MAST assists businesses in adhering to industry standards and guidelines like the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) and the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). It ensures that mobile apps follow security guidelines established by regulatory bodies and industry best practices.
There are several techniques and methodologies used in Mobile App Security Testing, including:
Static Analysis: Examine the mobile application's source code or binaries without running it to find any potential security holes.
Dynamic Analysis: Running the mobile application in a controlled environment or on real devices to analyze its behavior and identify security issues during runtime.
Penetration Testing involves putting the mobile application through simulated attacks to find weaknesses and evaluate the effectiveness of the security measures.
Binary Code Analysis: This involves analyzing the compiled binary code of the mobile application to identify security vulnerabilities and potential backdoors.
Behavioral Analysis: Monitoring the behavior of the mobile application during runtime to detect suspicious or malicious activities that could indicate security risks.
Mobile app security testing is essential to protect sensitive data from unauthorized access or manipulation and guarantee that mobile applications resist security risks. In a world where mobile devices are taking center stage, it helps companies keep a strong security posture and win over users' trust.
An all-in-one solution like ThreatNG, which integrates external attack surface management (EASM), digital risk protection (DRP), and security ratings, can complement Mobile App Security Testing (MAST) and other security solutions by providing comprehensive visibility, proactive threat detection, and risk mitigation across the mobile application landscape. Here's how these synergies could work:
Enhanced Mobile App Discovery: ThreatNG's "Related Mobile Applications" discovery capability provides visibility into all mobile applications connected to an organization's infrastructure, including those developed in-house, third-party apps, and shadow IT applications. This comprehensive visibility facilitates Mobile App Security Testing (MAST) by ensuring that all relevant mobile apps are included in the testing scope, reducing the risk of overlooking potential security vulnerabilities.
Prioritization of High-Risk Apps: ThreatNG's security ratings and digital risk protection (DRP) capabilities enable organizations to prioritize Mobile App Security Testing efforts based on the risk level associated with each application. By leveraging ThreatNG's risk insights, security teams can focus their testing efforts on high-risk mobile apps that pose the most significant security threats, such as those with known vulnerabilities, weak security controls, or exposure to external risks.
Integration with MAST Tools: ThreatNG can integrate with Mobile App Security Testing (MAST) tools and frameworks to streamline the testing process and facilitate automated vulnerability scanning, static and dynamic analysis, and penetration testing of mobile applications. By integrating ThreatNG's risk data with MAST tools, organizations can enrich the testing results with contextual information about the security posture and external exposure of mobile apps, enabling more informed decision-making and remediation prioritization.
Continuous Monitoring and Remediation: The external attack surface connected to mobile applications—which includes modifications to app permissions, API connections, and exposure to fresh threats and vulnerabilities—can be continuously monitored thanks to ThreatNG's EASM capabilities. Organizations that proactively detect and address security vulnerabilities in mobile apps before attackers take advantage of them can reduce the risk of data breaches and security events. It can be accomplished by adding ongoing monitoring and risk assessment to mobile app security testing (MAST).
Comprehensive Risk Management: By combining ThreatNG's EASM, DRP, security ratings, and Mobile App Security Testing (MAST) capabilities, organizations can adopt a comprehensive approach to security and risk management. ThreatNG provides a centralized platform for risk assessment, tracking, and mitigation of mobile applications. In an environment where mobile devices are becoming increasingly common, it aids organizations in effectively allocating resources, making educated decisions, and strengthening their security posture.
The integration of ThreatNG with Mobile App Security Testing (MAST) and other complementary security solutions facilitates comprehensive risk management and proactive threat mitigation across the mobile application ecosystem, helping organizations protect sensitive data, maintain regulatory compliance, and safeguard against evolving cyber threats.
