Dev Training: Top 10 Mobile Security Vulnerabilities
Mobile applications are an essential part of modern digital life, but their widespread use also makes them prime targets for security threats. The OWASP Mobile Top 10 2024 provides an up-to-date guide on the most critical security risks facing mobile applications. Developers and security teams should be aware of these vulnerabilities to build more secure mobile applications and protect user data.
1. Improper Credential Usage
Storing or handling user credentials incorrectly can lead to unauthorised access. Common mistakes include hardcoding passwords in the source code, improperly storing credentials in plain text, and failing to implement secure authentication mechanisms. Attackers can easily extract such credentials from mobile applications, leading to account takeovers and data breaches.
Use secure credential storage solutions such as Android Keystore or iOS Keychain. Never hardcode passwords in source code, and always enforce strong password policies.
2. Inadequate Supply Chain Security
Modern mobile applications often rely on third-party libraries, frameworks, or services, introducing potential security risks if these dependencies are not properly vetted. Attackers can inject malicious code into third-party components, compromising the security of an app.
Regularly audit third-party dependencies, use dependency scanning tools, and verify the integrity of libraries through digital signatures and security reviews.
3. Insecure Authentication and Authorisation
Weak authentication mechanisms can allow unauthorised access to sensitive areas of an application. Common issues include missing multi-factor authentication (MFA), improper session management, and weak password enforcement.
Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), use secure session tokens, and enforce strong password policies. Ensure proper access control mechanisms prevent privilege escalation.
4. Insufficient Input and Output Validation
Failing to validate user input and application responses properly can lead to injection attacks, buffer overflows, and exposure of sensitive data. Attackers exploit these vulnerabilities to manipulate application behavior or extract unauthorised data.
Use input validation techniques like whitelisting, length checks, and sanitisation. Never trust user input, and ensure all data returned by the app is properly filtered.
5. Insecure Communication
Data transmission between a mobile app and backend services should always be encrypted. If sensitive information is sent over an insecure channel (e.g., HTTP instead of HTTPS), attackers can intercept and manipulate the data.
Use TLS (Transport Layer Security) 1.2 or later for all network communication. Implement certificate pinning to prevent man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
6. Inadequate Privacy Controls
Mobile apps often collect and store personal data. If this data is not handled correctly, it can lead to privacy violations and regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA). Improper data retention policies and excessive permission requests are common pitfalls.
Follow privacy-by-design principles, minimise data collection, encrypt stored data, and adhere to data protection regulations.
7. Insecure Data Storage
Storing sensitive data improperly on a mobile device increases the risk of exposure. Attackers can gain access through rooted (Android) or jailbroken (iOS) devices or extract unencrypted files stored locally.
Store sensitive data using encrypted storage solutions, such as Android’s EncryptedSharedPreferences and iOS’s Secure Enclave. Avoid storing highly sensitive information on the device unless necessary.
8. Insufficient Security Logging and Monitoring
Failing to log security-relevant events makes detecting and responding to threats much harder. Without proper logging and monitoring, security breaches may go unnoticed.
Implement secure logging mechanisms while ensuring that no sensitive data is logged. Use remote logging solutions to track security incidents in real time.
9. Code Tampering and Reverse Engineering
Attackers frequently analyze mobile applications to discover vulnerabilities, extract sensitive information, or modify the app’s behavior. Reverse engineering tools allow malicious actors to decompile and alter mobile apps easily.
Use code obfuscation techniques to make reverse engineering more difficult. Implement runtime integrity checks to detect unauthorised modifications and prevent tampering.
10. Insecure API Usage
Mobile apps rely on APIs to communicate with servers and external services. Poorly secured APIs can lead to data leaks, unauthorised access, and injection attacks.
Implement OAuth 2.0 and strong API authentication mechanisms. Use rate limiting and proper access control to prevent abuse and unauthorised data access.
Securing mobile applications requires a multi-layered approach. Developers should follow security best practices, regularly update dependencies, and conduct security assessments to minimise risks. Addressing the OWASP Mobile Top 10 vulnerabilities helps ensure mobile apps are resilient against the latest threats while keeping user data safe.