Security should be considered throughout all phases of mobile app development, but in the real world, unfortunately, it is often considered only in the later stages of development. We must ensure that security is addressed from the start of development.
Most mobile applications are connected to a remote backend, so it must be ensured that security standards have been applied to those services as well. Applying security measures only on the mobile side is not enough.
When building mobile applications, one must reduce the attack surface as much as possible. Each component must have a clear purpose. Over time, the source code of the app may contain unused components and outdated libraries that can become potential threats. Regular code audits must be implemented to address this.
An app includes several third-party libraries or modules to provide various functionalities, such as handling user authentication, making network requests, and managing UI components. Over time, the app evolves, and certain libraries become redundant or are no longer in use, but they remain part of the project.
A certain library, let's call it libA, was included in the app for authentication but has now been replaced with a more secure library. However, libA has not been removed from the app’s source code. Unknown to developers, libA contains a vulnerability and is outdated, allowing attackers to execute malicious code or inject harmful inputs, compromising the app. This can result in data theft or remote code execution.
We need to ensure that all components are necessary and regularly reviewed, and unnecessary libraries should be removed. This way, we can reduce the attack surface and mitigate the risk of exploitation.
Applying security measures only on the mobile side is not enough, as they can be bypassed easily through reverse engineering. It is necessary to implement secure validations on the server side if a mobile app is connected to any remote server.
A banking app has only client-side validations to prevent users from editing their account balance. For example, the mobile side includes a validation that checks whether the user's balance is greater than the transaction amount. If the balance is lower, the transaction should not be processed.
An attacker can reverse-engineer the mobile app code, modify the available balance, and send transaction requests to the server. The mobile-side check will pass because the attacker has altered the balance.
The server-side check should independently verify transactions by retrieving the actual account balance.
Sensitive information in mobile apps should be identified so that appropriate measures can be taken to protect it. Sensitive data may include personal information such as usernames, passwords, financial information, or health records. Once this data is identified, it should be secured through encryption.
An app handles various types of personal information (usernames, passwords, financial data, health records, locations) but does not specify which data is sensitive.
Without clear identification of sensitive data, personal information may be transmitted without encryption, allowing attackers to access it. This data can then be used for malicious purposes, violating user privacy laws.
Sensitive data must be clearly categorized and transmitted with strong encryption. This ensures user data protection and builds trust in the app’s security.
Each component in the app should be defined in terms of its business and security purposes. This allows developers to prioritize security efforts where they are most needed.
A mobile application contains multiple components, such as authentication, data storage, and payment processing, but does not clearly define their roles.
When app components are not defined in terms of their business or security functions, unnecessary components may increase the attack surface. Additionally, due to a lack of prioritization, security-critical features like payments and authentication may have vulnerabilities.
All components must have a clear definition, and security-critical components should be prioritized. Any unused component should be eliminated to minimize the attack surface.
A forced update feature ensures that users always run the latest app version. This can be implemented by showing user alerts to update the app.
A globally used mobile app has a large number of users but lacks a mechanism to enforce updates. A version with a security vulnerability is released, and though the issue is fixed in the next version, users may continue using outdated versions, leaving them vulnerable.
If no mechanism exists for enforcing updates, attackers can target users running older versions with known vulnerabilities. This can lead to data breaches, account takeovers, and other malicious activities. Users will also miss out on new features and improvements.
Implement a forced update feature in the app. By doing so, security patches, bug fixes, and new features can be delivered to users, reducing the risk of security threats in previous versions.
Compliance with privacy laws like GDPR, CCPA, and HIPAA ensures that user data is handled securely. Mobile apps should obtain user consent for data access and provide rights for data deletion. Compliance not only protects user privacy but also prevents legal penalties and enhances trust.
A mobile app collects and processes user data but has not been explicitly designed to comply with privacy laws such as GDPR, CCPA, or HIPAA. As a result, it lacks mechanisms to protect user privacy, handle user consent, or provide rights for data access and deletion.
If an app collects and processes user data without compliance with privacy laws, user data can be misused or shared without consent. This can lead to legal penalties, reputational damage, and loss of user trust.
Mobile applications should obtain explicit user consent for data collection and processing and provide mechanisms for users to access and delete their data. Additionally, the app should encrypt and securely store user data to ensure compliance with privacy laws and protect sensitive information.
In the next section, we’ll explore essential data storage and privacy requirements that iOS and Android developers should implement to ensure user data remains secure and protected from potential threats.
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