Local data and secrets
Sensitive information stored by the app and credentials or configuration exposed in the application package.
Utilities Studio / Cybersecurity
Mobile application penetration testing
Find where your mobile app exposes data and what your team needs to fix.
Test iOS and Android applications for insecure storage, exposed secrets, and broken access controls. Scope the mobile client and its backend together.
Your release needs coverage of the app and its backend.
If you lead mobile engineering, you need to know whether the issue sits in the app, local storage, or the service it calls. We agree the iOS and Android builds and backend coverage before testing. Findings identify the affected component so the right engineers can investigate the fix.
The assessment
Mobile application penetration testing
Mobile application penetration testing examines the security of a mobile client and its interactions with backend services. We review the app, its handling of sensitive data, and the trust it places in local controls. Backend testing is defined explicitly so the assessment covers the boundaries that protect your users.
Inside the scope
Authentication and session handling
How the app establishes access and handles session state across the agreed user flows.
Client-to-server communication
The information sent to backend services and the assumptions those services make about the client.
Client-side trust
Controls that can be bypassed locally and whether server-side enforcement prevents unauthorized actions.
Testing references
OWASP publishes a Mobile Application Security Verification Standard and a Mobile Application Security Testing Guide. If you need coverage mapped to specific mobile security requirements, identify them before the assessment.
OWASP MASVS and MASTGWhat your team receives
- An executive summary explaining the business impact and what the assessment covered
- Technical findings that identify the affected component and give your engineers evidence and reproduction steps
- Remediation guidance for the affected components and a findings review with your team
- Retest results for the agreed findings, with rounds, time window, and pricing specified before booking
Working with your team
From scope to remediation.
Scope the work and agree delivery
Confirm the assets, permissions, and production limits. Name the contacts and record the dates, reporting format, support arrangements, and retest terms.
Test and share the evidence
Investigate the agreed attack paths and validate findings. Keep your team updated and escalate critical issues immediately through the agreed channel.
Review findings and verify fixes
Walk your engineers through the report and remediation priorities. Carry out the agreed retesting and document which fixes worked and what remains unresolved.
What are you paying for?
The number of platforms and builds, user roles, app features, and backend coverage determine the assessment scope. Separate iOS and Android implementations may require separate work.
Planning around your deadline
Testing begins once builds, accounts, and backend access are ready. We agree device or platform requirements and the release version before setting the assessment window.
Pentest delivery
Know what to expect before the test starts.
When will we see findings?
We share validated findings during the test through the agreed secure channel. Critical issues go to your nominated contact immediately. Progress updates cover completed work, blockers, and what comes next.
What will the report contain?
Your engineers get affected assets, reproduction steps, evidence, and remediation guidance. We explain severity using the demonstrated impact. An executive summary sets out the business risk and the limits of the assessment.
Who helps us work through the fixes?
A technical findings review lets your engineers discuss the evidence and recommended fixes with us. We name the technical contact and agree the support period and response arrangements before testing.
What does retesting cover?
Retesting checks fixes to the original findings and records the result. Before booking, we specify the findings covered, retest rounds, time window, and any charges. New features or changed environments need a scope review.
Can findings go into our issue tracker?
We agree the findings format and handover method with your team. If you use Jira, Linear, or GitHub, we scope the export or ticket handover, required access, and treatment of sensitive evidence before testing.
When can we start and get the report?
Your proposal sets the start date, testing window, and report delivery date after we review scope and access. Bring your audit or release deadline so remediation and retesting can be planned around it.
Delivery references: NIST SP 800-115 and CREST's penetration testing programme guide.
The practitioner behind the work
Led by Sheeraz Ali.
Sheeraz Ali is our Head of Cybersecurity. His work spans application, cloud, network, and AI assessments. His personal track record includes leading pentests at Cobalt and building the internal pentest programme at SolarWinds.
Read Sheeraz's security backgroundSheeraz's personal track record
- Pentest engagements at Cobalt
- 245
- Vulnerabilities identified at Cobalt
- 1,592
- CVEs discovered
- 28+
- Machines and labs authored at Hack The Box
- 300+
His website lists OSCP, CRTP, CRTE, CREST CRT and CPSA, CBBH, and CKA.
At SolarWinds, he delivered 120+ internal pentests. As CTO at Pwned Labs, he built a platform serving 40,000+ practitioners. He co-developed Mobexler, selected for Black Hat Arsenal, and presented research at Nullcon and c0c0n.
Explore his career timelineFAQ
Questions before you book.
Do you test both iOS and Android?
Both platforms can be scoped. We confirm the builds, supported environments, and depth of testing for each platform before the engagement.
Is the backend included?
The proposal defines backend coverage. Testing only the mobile package does not establish the security of its APIs, so we review the client and server boundaries together during scoping.
Can you test before app store release?
A pre-release assessment can use authorized test builds and a suitable backend environment. The builds should represent the behavior you intend to ship.
We had a pentest last year. What should we test now?
Bring the previous report and a list of changes to your code, permissions, or infrastructure. We can use those to scope the next assessment. Check which earlier findings were fixed and which fixes were verified; the date on the old report does not answer those questions.
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What do you need to get moving?
Tell us what your team needs to resolve, which systems are involved, and any deadline. We will work through the scope and reporting needs with you.