Mobile Application VAPT & Penetration Testing Services
Manual security testing for Android and iOS applications, mobile APIs, authentication flows, sensitive-data handling and business logic.
Identify exploitable mobile application and API security weaknesses before they create production, customer or security-review risks.
Manual Android & iOS mobile VAPT, API testing, and business logic assessment.
FinTech, SaaS, AI startups, consumer, and B2B mobile engineering teams.
Uncover critical client and backend vulnerabilities before app store release or security reviews.
Who This Service Is For
Our mobile security assessments are structured for development teams, founders, and security leaders building critical mobile products across platforms.
FinTech Mobile Apps
Mobile banking, UPI payments, wallet applications, and lending products handling customer funds and sensitive financial records.
SaaS Mobile Applications
B2B companion apps, multi-tenant portals, and mobile workflow tools with role-based access controls and enterprise integrations.
AI-Enabled Mobile Apps
Applications utilizing mobile AI models, prompt processing gateways, sensitive user telemetry, and cloud inference APIs.
Consumer & E-Commerce Apps
High-volume consumer apps managing user identities, in-app purchases, payment gateways, and personal communications.
B2B & Enterprise Tools
Internal workforce applications, logistics trackers, and field operations tools connecting directly to enterprise databases.
Apps Preparing for Review
Engineering teams readying iOS and Android builds for Google Play, Apple App Store, or institutional customer security evaluations.
What We Test in a Mobile Application VAPT
A comprehensive mobile assessment evaluates both client-side binary integrity and backend communication channels. We examine platform security, data storage, cryptographic controls, and API authorization.
Application Architecture & Config
Reviewing build configurations, compiler flags, debug flags, exported platform handlers, and client-side attack surfaces.
Authentication & Session Lifecycle
Testing login flows, OTP validation, biometric authentication handoffs, token expiry, and refresh token rotation.
Authorization & Privilege Boundaries
Verifying user-level isolation, vertical role separation, and administrative function protection across app and backend.
Sensitive Data & Local Storage
Auditing SharedPreferences, SQLite databases, iOS Keychain, local caches, clipboard data, and application file systems.
Mobile Backend APIs & Webhooks
Manual testing of REST, GraphQL, and microservice APIs for BOLA/IDOR, parameter tampering, and broken object authorization.
Business Logic & Workflows
Evaluating multi-step checkouts, state machine manipulation, price parameter tampering, coupon stacking, and race conditions.
Transport Security & Pinning
Inspecting TLS configurations, cleartext traffic policies, custom CA handling, and SSL/TLS certificate pinning resilience.
Cryptography & Secret Storage
Evaluating local key generation, AES/RSA implementations, hardcoded secrets, API tokens, and private key security.
Deep Links & WebViews
Testing custom URI schemes, Universal Links, App Links, WebView JavaScript interfaces, and cross-context injection.
Platform Permissions & IPC
Analyzing dangerous permissions, inter-process communication (IPC), intent broadcasts, and component accessibility.
Third-Party SDK & Dependency Risk
Reviewing embedded analytics, ad networks, telemetry trackers, and third-party libraries for privacy and security exposure.
Reverse Engineering Assumptions
Analyzing code obfuscation, symbol stripping, and evaluating how security controls behave when client protections are bypassed.
Android Application Security Testing
Android applications present distinct platform-level attack surfaces due to package structures, inter-process communication mechanisms, and flexible storage configurations. Our assessment covers defensive analysis across the full Android lifecycle.
APK Decompilation & Static Analysis
Decompiling APK packages with Jadx and APKTool to review manifest permissions, hardcoded API secrets, debuggable flags, and exported endpoints.
Exported Component Security
Auditing Activities, Services, Broadcast Receivers, and Content Providers for unauthorized invocation, data leakage, and intent manipulation.
Intent Handling & Deep Link Injection
Fuzzing explicit and implicit intent filters, App Links, and custom URL schemes to identify unauthorized state changes and sensitive data exposure.
WebView Hardening & Bridge Security
Reviewing WebView settings for addJavascriptInterface vulnerabilities, cross-origin file URL access, and mixed content exposure.
Insecure Local Storage & Databases
Inspecting SharedPreferences, SQLite databases, Room ORM files, and internal app storage for unencrypted tokens, credentials, and PII.
Logging, Cache & Backup Policies
Evaluating Logcat outputs for sensitive runtime data, inspecting screenshot caching, clipboard access, and verifying android:allowBackup flags.
Network Security Configuration & Pinning
Reviewing network_security_config.xml, testing cleartext traffic restrictions, and assessing SSL certificate pinning defenses.
Root & Runtime Security Assumptions
Testing how client authentication, cryptographic storage, and transaction verification behave in root-accessible or instrumented environments.
iOS Application Security Testing
iOS security relies heavily on sandbox controls, Keychain APIs, and App Transport Security. We evaluate IPA packages, runtime behavior, and local storage mechanisms to detect vulnerabilities in iOS implementations.
IPA Structure & Binary Analysis
Inspecting the iOS application binary, class structures, embedded configuration files, third-party frameworks, and compiled metadata.
Info.plist Configuration Review
Auditing custom URL schemes, App Transport Security (ATS) exception domains, background modes, and required device capability permissions.
Universal Links & Custom URL Schemes
Testing custom URI scheme handlers and Universal Links for input validation flaws, authorization bypasses, and account link hijacking.
iOS Keychain & Secure Enclave Access
Evaluating Keychain access groups, kSecAttrAccessible accessibility flags, biometric authentication handoffs, and credential isolation.
Local Storage & Data Protection
Auditing CoreData databases, Realm storage, plist files, and cache directories against iOS Data Protection classes (NSFileProtectionComplete).
WKWebView Security Posture
Evaluating WKWebView configuration, JavaScript message handlers, local file loading permissions, and cross-site scripting vectors.
App Transport Security & TLS Validation
Verifying that ATS enforces TLS 1.3/1.2 requirements without insecure domain exceptions, and evaluating certificate validation routines.
Jailbreak & Runtime Defense Assumptions
Evaluating whether security-critical decisions rely solely on client-side jailbreak checks or are validated independently by the backend API.
Mobile API Security Testing
A secure-looking mobile interface often masks vulnerable backend APIs. Even when the mobile UI restricts unauthorized actions, the backend API must independently verify authorization, validate object ownership, and prevent parameter tampering.
Broken Object Level Authorization
Verifying whether mobile API requests enforce strict server-side resource ownership so User A cannot access User B's profile, data, or documents by modifying IDs.
Broken Function Level Authorization
Testing if regular mobile user tokens can invoke administrative, partner, or back-office API endpoints not exposed in the mobile UI.
Authentication & Token Flaws
Evaluating JWT signature validation, weak signing secrets, token expiration lifecycles, and refresh token exchange vulnerabilities on mobile endpoints.
Object Property & Mass Assignment
Testing if injecting additional JSON parameters in mobile update payloads can alter sensitive server properties like user roles, limits, or verification flags.
Excessive Data Exposure
Ensuring backend APIs do not return full database records, PII, or internal tokens to the mobile app under the false assumption that the UI will hide them.
Rate Limiting & Abuse Controls
Testing brute-force controls, OTP generation limits, coupon redemption concurrency, and endpoint consumption on high-risk mobile APIs.
Authentication & Session Security Testing
Mobile authentication involves long-lived sessions, refresh token exchange, OTP verification, and biometric handoffs. We test every state transition to ensure that authentication cannot be bypassed or hijacked across devices.
Login & Password Reset Flows
Evaluating credential handling, password reset link integrity, and testing for timing attacks or account enumeration.
OTP & MFA Implementation
Testing OTP generation limits, brute-force protections, response manipulation bypasses, and multi-factor validation.
Token Lifecycle & Rotation
Auditing JWT signing algorithms, access token expiration windows, refresh token reuse detection, and revocation on logout.
Biometric Auth Handoffs
Verifying whether biometric checks (FaceID/Fingerprint) validate cryptographic keys in Keystore/Keychain rather than relying on boolean returns.
Device & Session Binding
Testing whether session tokens are properly bounded to authorized device IDs or if tokens can be transferred across unauthorized clients.
Account Recovery & Privilege Escalation
Assessing account recovery workflows and testing whether standard user sessions can transition into elevated privileges.
Sensitive Data & Local Storage Audits
Improperly stored data on mobile devices can be retrieved through physical access, backup inspection, or secondary application snooping. We audit local file systems and caching layers to identify sensitive information exposure.
Authentication Tokens & Credentials
Scanning local storage for unencrypted session tokens, passwords, API keys, and personal identification records.
SQLite & Local Databases
Inspecting SQLite, Room, Realm, and CoreData stores for unencrypted financial tables, chat logs, and PII.
SharedPreferences & Plist Files
Reviewing key-value property files for sensitive configuration flags, user roles, and plaintext telemetry.
Application Logs & Debug Output
Analyzing production log output (Logcat/NSLog) for sensitive HTTP request parameters, session headers, and user PII.
Clipboard & Snapshot Caching
Evaluating whether sensitive input fields permit unauthorized clipboard copying or retain screen snapshots in background task switchers.
Temporary Files & HTTP Caches
Verifying that downloaded documents, identity images, and cached API responses are securely cleared and not exposed in public cache directories.
Mobile Application Business Logic Testing
Automated scanners only identify known signature patterns and completely miss workflow-specific logic flaws. Our offensive specialists manually test application state transitions to detect business logic bypasses.
Transaction & Amount Tampering
Evaluating whether modifying pricing parameters or currency codes in intercepted requests alters final payment amounts.
Discount & Promo Abuse
Testing for coupon code reusability, concurrent redemption race conditions, and negative price balance calculations.
Multi-Step Workflow Bypasses
Attempting to skip intermediate onboarding, payment verification, or compliance checks by directly requesting later workflow stages.
State Transition Manipulation
Testing if order statuses, subscription tiers, or verification statuses can be manipulated through client-controlled parameters.
FinTech Mobile Application Security
Financial mobile applications require rigorous verification of transaction integrity, beneficiary workflows, and sensitive financial records to satisfy enterprise partner requirements and maintain customer trust.
Payment Workflows & Callbacks
Auditing payment gateway SDK integrations, callback validation, and verifying server-side signature verification.
Transaction Authorization & Limits
Testing step-up authentication, PIN/OTP enforcement, and transaction limit boundaries on fund transfers.
Beneficiary Management Security
Evaluating beneficiary addition workflows, cooldown period enforcement, and authorization boundaries.
Financial API Authorization
Verifying that account statements, balances, card details, and loan records enforce strict user-level authorization.
Sensitive Financial Data Handling
Auditing local storage and network payloads for PAN, CVV, bank account numbers, and transaction metadata.
Technical Alignment for Reviews
Generating technical penetration testing documentation and evidence needed for partner bank and enterprise vendor reviews.
Industry-Standard Testing Methodology
TrustLayerLabs utilizes recognized industry frameworks, including the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) and Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG), to ensure structured and repeatable security assessments.
OWASP MASVS
Baseline security verification standard covering architecture, data storage, cryptography, authentication, network communication, platform interaction, and code quality.
OWASP MASTG
Comprehensive manual testing guide detailing static analysis, dynamic analysis, and runtime manipulation techniques for Android and iOS.
OWASP API Security Top 10
Dedicated methodology targeting critical API vulnerabilities including BOLA/IDOR, broken authentication, object property level manipulation, and resource consumption.
Our 8-Phase Mobile VAPT Process
A structured testing process designed for clear communication, non-disruptive testing, developer-friendly reporting, and validated remediation.
Scope & Rules of Engagement
Define target APK/IPA builds, staging backend APIs, testing accounts, test payment credentials, and execute a mutual NDA.
Application Understanding
Map mobile workflows, authentication lifecycles, backend API endpoints, third-party integrations, and sensitive data paths.
Static & Configuration Review
Inspect decompiled package assets, platform configurations, manifest files, exported components, and embedded secrets.
Dynamic Security Testing
Intercept network traffic, analyze runtime memory, evaluate SSL pinning resilience, and assess local database security.
Mobile API Penetration Testing
Perform deep manual testing of backend APIs for BOLA/IDOR, authentication flaws, mass assignment, and data leakage.
Manual Business Logic Testing
Evaluate workflow integrity, multi-step transaction authorization, discount abuse, and state machine transitions.
Validation & Reporting
Manually verify findings to eliminate false positives, score vulnerabilities with CVSS v3.1, and provide reproduction steps.
Remediation Guidance & Retesting
Review findings with your engineering team, verify applied patches in your staging environment, and issue a Retest Verification Letter.
What You Receive
Actionable, developer-focused documentation designed for rapid remediation, stakeholder transparency, and external review verification.
Mobile Application VAPT Report
Comprehensive technical assessment report detailing all identified vulnerabilities across Android, iOS, and mobile backend APIs.
Executive Security Summary
A clear, risk-oriented briefing designed for CTOs, founders, board members, and enterprise customer security reviews.
Technical Findings & CVSS v3.1 Scores
Standardized vulnerability classifications with industry-standard CVSS v3.1 scoring, affected endpoints, and severity ratings.
Evidence & Step-by-Step PoCs
Clear reproduction context, HTTP requests, curl commands, and payload samples to help developers reproduce each issue instantly.
Actionable Remediation Guidance
Practical code snippets, architectural recommendations, and framework configuration guidance for Android, iOS, and backend teams.
Retest Results & Verification Letter
Formal confirmation letter and updated report verifying that identified security flaws have been effectively remediated.
Review an Illustrative Sample VAPT Report
Review the exact structure of our technical findings, CVSS scoring breakdown, reproduction steps, and remediation code guidance before booking an assessment.
Mobile Application Security & VAPT FAQs
Answers to common technical and commercial questions regarding our mobile application security testing services.
Q:What is Mobile Application VAPT?
Mobile Application VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing) is a comprehensive security testing methodology for Android and iOS applications and their supporting backend APIs. It combines static analysis (SAST), dynamic runtime testing (DAST), and manual penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities in local data storage, authentication, transport security, business logic, and API endpoints.
Q:Do you test both Android and iOS applications?
Yes. We perform security testing for both Android (APK / AAB) and iOS (IPA / TestFlight) applications. We analyze platform-specific architectures including AndroidManifest configurations, exported components, iOS Info.plist properties, Keychain accessibility, and platform-specific storage mechanisms.
Q:Does Mobile VAPT include backend API testing?
Yes. Mobile applications rely heavily on backend APIs for business logic, data persistence, and transaction processing. Our mobile VAPT assessments evaluate both the client-side mobile application and the corresponding REST, GraphQL, or microservice APIs for authorization flaws (BOLA/IDOR), authentication bypasses, and data exposure.
Q:What vulnerabilities do you test for in mobile applications?
We test for a broad range of mobile security weaknesses, including broken object level authorization (BOLA/IDOR), insecure local data storage (unencrypted SQLite, SharedPreferences, plists), hardcoded secrets, weak session handling, SSL pinning bypass vulnerabilities, exported component exploitation, deep link injection, WebView vulnerabilities, and business logic flaws.
Q:Do you follow OWASP MASVS and MASTG frameworks?
Yes. Our testing methodology aligns with the OWASP Mobile Application Security Verification Standard (MASVS) and the Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG). We use these industry standards as our testing baseline and reference framework.
Q:What do you need to start a mobile application security assessment?
To begin an assessment, we typically need the test application build (APK/AAB for Android or IPA/TestFlight access for iOS), staging backend API documentation (Swagger/Postman if available), test credentials representing different user roles, and mutual execution of an NDA.
Q:How long does a mobile VAPT assessment take?
The duration of a mobile security assessment depends on application complexity, the number of target platforms (Android, iOS, or both), the count of backend API endpoints, and user role complexity. A standard assessment typically takes 5 to 8 business days, with preliminary high-severity findings communicated earlier if critical issues are discovered.
Q:What deliverables do we receive upon completion?
You receive an Executive Summary for leadership and stakeholders, a detailed Technical Penetration Testing Report with CVSS v3.1 ratings, step-by-step reproduction steps with evidence, actionable remediation guidance with code examples, and a formal Retest Verification Letter once patches are verified.
Q:Is retesting available after vulnerabilities are fixed?
Yes. Retesting is included in every TrustLayerLabs engagement. Once your engineering team deploys fixes to your staging environment, our security practitioners re-evaluate the remediated vulnerabilities and issue an updated final report and Retest Verification Letter.
Q:Can you test FinTech mobile applications?
Yes. We regularly assess financial technology mobile applications, focusing on payment gateway integrations, transaction authorization, beneficiary addition workflows, OTP/MFA mechanisms, and sensitive financial data protection.
Ready to Scope Your Mobile Application VAPT?
Schedule a 20-minute scoping call with our lead security specialists under mutual NDA. We will evaluate your mobile architecture, platform requirements, and backend API scope.
Initiate Your Security Assessment
Request a scope review or book an intake call directly with our lead pentesting team.
Direct Channels
Connect with us for scoping advice, questions, or to execute a mutual NDA. We aim to respond within one business day.
📍 Distributed Team: Bangalore & Hyderabad
🇮🇳 Scope of Delivery: Serving technology teams across India