Mobile application penetration testing is a manual security assessment in which certified testers analyze your iOS and Android apps - and the backend APIs they talk to - for vulnerabilities such as insecure data storage, weak transport encryption, and broken authentication. CyberXplore tests against the OWASP MASVS standard using the MASTG methodology, combining static analysis, runtime instrumentation on jailbroken and rooted devices, and hands-on reverse engineering to surface issues automated scanners cannot. Every engagement is senior-led and manual, and includes prioritized remediation guidance, a free retest, and an attestation letter for customers and auditors.
OWASP MASVSOWASP MASTGOWASP API Security Top 10NISTPTES
Why CyberXplore
Senior-only testers (OSCP, CRTP, CREST)
ISO 27001 & ISO 9001 certified
Free retest + attestation letter
Tailored scope and quote in 24 hours
Why it matters
Mobile apps run on devices you do not control - anyone can decompile your APK or IPA, inspect local storage, and intercept traffic, so secrets and weak controls are quickly exposed.
Insecure data storage is the most common mobile flaw: credentials, tokens, and PII left in plaintext databases, shared preferences, keychains, or logs are trivial to recover on a rooted or jailbroken device.
The backend API is the real attack surface - broken authorization and IDOR behind a mobile front end let attackers reach other users' data once the client-side checks are bypassed.
App store, SOC 2, PCI DSS, and customer security reviews increasingly demand independent mobile testing evidence before approval or onboarding.
Aligned with industry standards: OWASP MASVS · OWASP MASTG · OWASP API Security Top 10 · NIST · PTES
Our methodology
01
Scoping & Threat Modeling
We agree platforms (iOS, Android, or both), build types, user roles, and test accounts, then map data flows, sensitive functionality, and the backend APIs the app depends on.
02
Static Analysis & Reverse Engineering
We decompile the IPA/APK, review source or bytecode, inspect the manifest, entitlements, and hardcoded secrets, and analyze how the app stores data and protects its logic.
03
Dynamic & Runtime Testing
On jailbroken and rooted devices we instrument the app with Frida and Objection, intercept TLS traffic, bypass jailbreak/root and certificate-pinning defenses, and observe real behavior at runtime.
04
Backend API Testing
We test the server-side APIs the app consumes for broken authentication, authorization and IDOR, injection, and business-logic abuse - where client-side controls are meaningless.
05
Reporting
You receive a clear report mapped to OWASP MASVS, with severity ratings, evidence, reproduction steps, and developer-ready remediation guidance for both app and backend.
06
Remediation Support & Retest
We support your developers through the fixes and re-test every finding to confirm it is resolved - included free, with an attestation letter on completion.
What we test
Insecure local data storage (databases, shared preferences, plists, keychain, cache, logs)
Insecure communication & TLS (weak ciphers, missing or bypassable certificate pinning)
Authentication, session handling & token storage
Backend API authorization, IDOR & business-logic flaws
Platform misuse (insecure IPC, exported components, deep links, WebViews, clipboard)
Hardcoded secrets, API keys & sensitive data in the binary
Inter-app communication & data leakage through backups and screenshots
What you get
Executive summary for leadership and stakeholders
Detailed technical findings mapped to OWASP MASVS with CVSS severity and evidence
Step-by-step reproduction for every vulnerability across app and backend
Prioritized, developer-ready remediation guidance for iOS and Android
Free retest with a remediation verification letter
Attestation letter for customers, app stores, auditors, and compliance
Sample deliverable
What you'll see in your report
Every engagement ends with a clear, prioritized report: severity-rated findings with CVSS scores, affected assets, and remediation status - plus a free retest. The figures below are illustrative.
Findings by severity
24 total
Critical
0
High
5
Medium
11
Low
8
High · CVSS 7.5CX-302
Sensitive data stored in plaintext (SharedPreferences)
CWE-312com.example.app (Android)Open
High · CVSS 7.4CX-307
Hardcoded API key / secret in app binary
CWE-798com.example.appFixed
Illustrative mobile application penetration test sample - anonymized to example.com.
Medium · CVSS 6.5CX-313
Missing TLS certificate pinning
CWE-295com.example.appOpen
Want the full anonymized sample report? We'll include it with your quote.
Cumulative figures across our team's combined engagement history
Shared under NDA · details anonymized
“CyberXplore found critical issues three previous vendors missed. The report was the clearest we've ever received - our engineers fixed everything in a week, and the free retest confirmed every fix held.”
23 critical findings surfaced
HS
Head of Security
European SaaS platform · Series C · 450 employees
B2B SaaS
Shared under NDA · details anonymized
“Senior testers, fast turnaround, and a free retest that actually proved our fixes worked. They made our SOC 2 audit painless.”
SOC 2 passed first attempt
VE
VP of Engineering
Series B FinTech · Payments platform
FinTech
Certifications held by our testers
OSCP
CRTP
CREST
CEH
eWPTX
ISO 27001
ISO 9001
Frequently asked questions
Yes. We test native iOS and Android apps, as well as cross-platform frameworks such as React Native, Flutter, and Xamarin. We can assess a single platform or both in one engagement, since each has its own storage, IPC, and signing model.
