Description
What is it?
Mobile app static analysis is a security testing technique that examines the source code or compiled code (e.g., APK for Android, IPA for iOS) of a mobile app without actually running it.
It's like meticulously reading through a blueprint before construction starts to spot potential design flaws or weaknesses.
Technical Data
How to do it? | |
---|---|
Obtain the Code | |
Source Code | Ideally, you'll have access to the app's source code. |
Decompilation | If you don't have the source code, you'll need to decompile the app's binary file (APK/IPA) using tools like apktool or jadx for Android, or similar tools for iOS. |
Choose Analysis Tools | Select tools that are appropriate for your target platform and the types of vulnerabilities you're looking for: |
General-Purpose Static Analyzers | |
MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) | Open-source, supports both Android and iOS, offers a range of analysis capabilities. |
QARK (Quick Android Review Kit) | Focuses specifically on Android security vulnerabilities. |
Infer | Developed by Meta (Facebook), can analyze Java, Objective-C, and C/C++ code. |
FindBugs, PMD, Checkstyle | Primarily for Java code (Android), helpful for spotting general code quality and potential security issues. |
Platform-Specific Tools | |
Android Lint | Built into Android Studio, identifies potential issues in Android code. |
iMAS (iOS Malware Analysis System) | For iOS, analyzes code and behavior to detect malicious activity. |
Configure & Run | |
Set up the chosen tools with the app's code or decompiled files. | |
Configure analysis rules and checks based on security concerns (e.g., data storage, network communication, cryptography). | |
Run the analysis. | |
Review Results | |
Analyze the tool's output carefully. | |
Look for reported vulnerabilities, warnings, and suspicious patterns. | |
Don't rely solely on the tool; manual code review is also crucial to understand the context and severity of findings. | |
Remediate & Verify | |
Address identified issues by fixing code, improving security practices, etc. | |
Re-run the analysis to ensure fixes are effective and no new issues arise. | |
Which software to use? | |
The best tool depends on your app's platform, budget, specific security concerns, and your team's expertise. Here's a quick guide | |
For comprehensive analysis of both Android and iOS apps | MobSF is a great starting point, being open-source and feature-rich. |
For deep Android-specific analysis | Consider QARK or Android Lint in conjunction with general-purpose tools. |
For iOS | iMAS and other iOS-focused tools can help with platform-specific vulnerabilities. |
For code quality and general security | Tools like FindBugs, PMD, or Checkstyle are useful for any platform using Java. |
Standards for Testing | |
When conducting mobile app static analysis, you can leverage various security standards and guidelines to ensure a thorough assessment | |
OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) | A comprehensive set of security requirements for mobile apps, covering various aspects like data storage, cryptography, and platform interaction. |
OWASP Mobile Top 10 | Lists the most critical security risks for mobile applications, providing a good starting point for identifying potential vulnerabilities. |
NIST Mobile Application Security Testing Guide | Offers detailed guidance on testing techniques and tools for assessing mobile app security. |
PCI Mobile Payment Acceptance Security Guidelines | If your app handles payment card data, these guidelines are crucial for ensuring compliance and protecting sensitive information. |
Platform-Specific Guidelines | |
Android Developer Security Best Practices | Google's recommendations for secure Android app development. |
Apple's App Store Review Guidelines | Security requirements that iOS apps must meet to be published on the App Store. |