Top 7 Issues in Mobile App Security to Anticipate

As mobile applications continue to expand as a vector for attacks, organizations will need to prioritize mobile app security to strengthen their entire security posture.

Both static attacks based on the source code itself and dynamic attacks that exploit the functionality of an application are in constant evolution. For this reason, it is vital for mobile development teams to comprehend and remedy the most typical mobile app vulnerabilities.

Globally, the majority of commercial processes, including secret business, are conducted via cell phones. This necessitates an exhaustive mobile app security checklist, and omitting mobile app security from your company plan is akin to poison!

How is mobile app security defined?

Mobile app security refers to the protection of mobile applications against external threats such as digital fraud and viruses. It focuses on mobile applications that run on several platforms, including Android, iOS, and Windows.

Mobile app security refers to the protection of mobile applications against external threats

As the apps have access to vast quantities of sensitive data, any breach that could compromise the data through illegal access and usage must be avoided.

Mobile application security is one of the primary concerns, as the data residing within the app may be at risk if proper security controls are not implemented during the application's design, and mobile application vulnerabilities have increased significantly due to the widespread use of apps in the modern world.

Today, hackers target mobile applications in order to obtain access to customer personal information and details for nefarious purposes. Therefore, developers must be especially cautious while creating apps for both the iOS and Android platforms.

The majority of these assaults originate from simple flaws in mobile applications and can bring your business to its knees. Here is a summary of their most recent list of the top mobile threats that need to be concerned about!

Common mobile app security threats

The easiest entrance point for a threat attack is a mobile application. It is prudent to understand more about typical mobile app security threats so that you can take the necessary precautions to protect them.

1. Insufficient server-side controls

The client in the majority of client-server architectures for mobile apps is app marketplaces such as Google Play. These clients are utilized by end-users to make purchases and to view messages, alerts, and notifications.

The developer-side server component communicates with the mobile device over the internet via an API. This server component is accountable for the proper execution of application functions.

40% of server components have a security posture that is below average, and 35% contain extremely severe vulnerabilities, including:

• Code vulnerabilities
• Configurational defects
• App code vulnerabilities
• Implementation errors of security mechanisms.

2. Unsafe data storage

One of the most serious app weaknesses is unreliable data storage, which leads to data theft and severe financial difficulties. In the rush to launch their apps, 43% of firms frequently disregard mobile app security.

This figure becomes frightening when you include crucial apps where you save confidential accounting information, such as mobile banking, buying, and trading. Secure data storage and data encryption help to protect data, but you should be aware that not all encryption solutions are equally effective or universally applicable.

3. Inadequate Transport Layer Security (TLS)

While the mobile app exchanges data in the client-server architecture, the data travels across the mobile device's carrier network and the internet. Threat agents can also leverage the vulnerabilities discovered during this traversal to launch malware assaults, revealing sensitive data stored on the WiFi or local network.

This vulnerability exposes end users' data, potentially leading to account theft, site exposure, phishing, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Businesses may risk privacy violations, as well as fraud, identity theft, and brand harm.

With a reputable CA certificate provider, SSL/TLS security on the transport layer, and robust cipher suites, you can simply address this risk.

4. Injections on the client side

The majority of flaws are client-side, and a good number of them pose a security risk for mobile apps. Authentication issues and software infections may result from these vulnerabilities, which come in many different forms.

The majority of apps perform client-side user authentication. This indicates that the information is kept on a dangerous smartphone. In order to ensure the accuracy of data received through insecure channels, you might think about storing and authenticating app data on the server and transmitting it as a hash value.

Another frequent risk in new mobile devices is malware, therefore it's crucial to implement strong security measures from the outset.

5. Insecure configuration

In a hybrid cloud environment, the risk is amplified.

A mobile app's security posture is compromised not only by the absence of adequate security measures, but also by inappropriate setup and implementation. When you fail to implement all of the app or server's security protections, it becomes vulnerable to attackers and puts your business in danger.

In a hybrid cloud environment, where the entire organization is distributed across several infrastructures, the risk is amplified. Lax firewall restrictions, app permissions, and the failure to execute basic authentication and validation checks can have enormous repercussions.

6. Insufficient logging and monitoring

Logs and audit trails let your company see everything that happens on the network and make it easy to fix errors, find problems, and keep track of events.

They also make it easier to follow rules and regulations. When logging and monitoring are done wrong or not well enough, it leaves information gaps that make it harder to stop or respond to a security incident.

Proper log management and audit trails cut down on the average time it takes to find and stop a data breach. They make it easier to find breaches and fix them quickly, which saves you time, money, and your reputation.

7. Exposed sensitive data

Another prevalent issue in mobile apps is the exposure of sensitive data. It happens when a mobile app, developer business, or other stakeholder entity inadvertently discloses personal information.

A data exposure is distinct from a data breach, in which an attacker gains access to and takes user information.

Examples of data that are commonly exposed include:

• Bank account number,
• Credit card information,
• Token for the session,
• Social Security Number (SSN)
• Data on healthcare

Several variables contribute to data exposure. Inadequate data protection rules, missing data encryption, poor encryption, software weaknesses, or improper data handling are some of these reasons.

Consequences of inadequate mobile app security

Weak app security can have a variety of short- and long-term consequences for your business. The immediate impacts are:

Bad standing

Financial repercussions of a damaged reputation

A sharp drop in customers. Long-term effects are more significant than short-term ones. Once an attacker discovers flaws in your app's security, they can exploit them in a variety of ways.

For instance, unauthorized use of ports for communication, data theft, information sniffing, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Although recurrent and rare security breaches are simpler to overcome, they can severely damage your brand equity, and you may never recover.

Disclosure of client data

If hackers get access to sensitive client information, such as login passwords or account information, your firm could suffer severe consequences, including customer turnover and financial loss.

Revenue loss

When one-time password (OTP) authentication is not required, it is possible for hackers to obtain credit or debit card data and manipulate bank transactions. Such attacks can damage your business if you're a finance or banking company.

The vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited to gain access to premium services without paying for them. Consequently, you must verify mobile app security at every stage and safeguard your organization's data.

Brand assurance

Due to insufficient app security, you risk losing client confidence. When clients leave a firm as a result of a security event, the loss is irreversible because it is extremely improbable that they will return. This, in turn, has a negative impact on their brand image and brand confidence.

Conformity and regulatory concerns

The majority of app compliance certificates and regulatory documentation include security requirements and best practices. If your mobile app falls short of these compliance requirements, or if you lose data or fall victim to an attack due to app vulnerabilities, your firm will be wiped out by massive litigation.

Who can help with the Development of Secure Mobile Apps?

Secure your mobile app with Groove Technology.

With our ISO 27001 and ISO 9001, Groove Technology has been qualified as an organization implementing an effective quality management system whilst ensuring the security of our customers. Moreover, “quality” has always been one of our core values from the very first days of establishment. Moreover, as a Microsoft Gold Partner, Groove wants to assure that every customer is satisfied and can entirely place their trust in our services.
For more information, please contact us via: contact@groovetechnology.com