There has been a massive spurt in the growth of mobile devices and consumers are finding it easy to use for their day to day activities. In the midst of this, the vulnerabilities with the use of such apps have also increased. With the help of Owasp mobile top 10, you can determine the numerous security issues that a developer needs to address and rectify them.
The reasons for securing your mobile apps
Take things at face value, the mobile apps have to be secured since they are the products of global brands. But the reality presents you with a different picture. Research is a testimony to the fact that when numerous apps were tested they leaked out sensitive information. A majority of data breaches occurred from mobile phones. Most contemporary apps that are available in the market store personal information of the users so as to provide superior customer experience. But with the emergence of complex security threats, it is necessary for a user to understand the emerging or an existing threat. For this reason, an OWASP becomes an important tool for a security professional.
They are a group of specialists who formulate methodologies, technologies or tools in the domain of mobile and web application. The top 10 risks are updated constantly so as to inform the users about the emerging threats.
More about OWASP mobile top 10
This outlines the security risks that users face at a global level. The first update of the list took place in 2016 and serves as a support for developers to secure applications and incorporate the best practices. With nearly 85 % of the applications being tested by Now Secure it is necessary for a developer to have an idea about each risk type and to ensure that they occur at a minimum level.
Platform usage at an improper level
This goes on to cover the risk emerging from an operating system with proper security protocols in place. It includes platform permissions, Android intents or other type of security controls. There is a certain type of apps in an Android ecosystem whose intention is to steal information from clients. The app can go on to conduct an in-depth URL study and solicit information
Data storage in an insecure form
OWASP clearly outlines how an adversary can gain access to critical data with the help of a repackaged app or using malware. When it comes to physically access a device it is possible to access it when you match it with a computer. It is better to keep away from popular dating apps as they are vulnerable to steal personal information of users.
Insecure communication
Any form of data transmission taking place in a mobile app occurs through a telecom carrier or it is done over the internet. Hackers are known to intercept this information with the help of a compromised WI- FI network. Though the mobile users are aware of using TLS or SSL for authentication they fail to do so. But OWASP wants to monitor all inbound and outbound activities.
Insecure authentication
Such a situation is bound to arise when a mobile user is not able to figure out a user correctly. They allow an adversary to log in with default credentials. This tends to occur when an attacker bypasses the authentication protocols and is in a position to interact with the server by using malware whereby no direct communication with an app is established.
Lack of cryptography
The data that is part of a mobile app has become a concern due to decryption or encryption processes. A hacker is in a position to gain access to data with the help of malicious apps. A trend seen is that the developers mishandle encryption keys where the adversaries end up having control over the encrypted files even if you have gone on to secure them with the latest algorithms.
Insecure authorization
Developers have to be aware that insecure authorization points to the fact that an adversary takes unsolicited advantage where there is a grey area in the process of authorization. By trying to become a legitimate user you try to tap in on the personal information of a user. The net result is that the hacker is in a position to obtain binary information even when the device appears in an online mode.
Code is of poor quality
This risk arises from inconsistent or poor codes, where every member of a development team goes on to follow a different code. The net result is that inconsistencies in the final code emerge where enough degree of documentation is not there that the others could follow. Hackers are in a position to detect poor coding measures.
Tampering of code
Hackers are known to prefer tampering of codes than another type of manipulations. A reason being it allows then unrestricted access to an app or sometimes they can access the entire mobile device. They force the users to download tampered versions of popular apps that are existent in the websites of third-party apps. This they undertake by providing misleading advertisements or phishing attacks.
Reverse engineering
This rates to be an exploitable cause of occurrence. Hackers resort to the use of a variety of tools in order to study the original pattern of the code and then end up linking it with their server process. In fact, there is some type of languages that are susceptible to reverse engineering like Java. Even the competitors of the app can use this aspect in stealing some of the functional features of the app.
Extraneous functionality
Before the production phase of an app occurs, the onus is on the backend team to ensure that they have the necessary access handy. Whereas in most of the cases a benign code is not going to provide any form of benefit to an adversary even if he goes on to gain access. But in other cases, this code carries a lot of information in the form of databases