Since its initial release in 2007, iOS has swiftly evolved into a powerful force in the application industry, with millions of users depending on iOS services daily to maintain and ensure the efficient functioning of their Apple devices and installed applications.
As with all major service providers, iOS applications face continuous threats of exploitation by malicious hackers, largely due to the vast number of users that iOS supports. A huge user base means- unfortunately- a relatively huge number of insecure iOS applications, leaving many vulnerable to persistent attacks from malicious hackers.
iOS penetration testing poses an efficient resolution to the repeatedly poignant problem of insecure iOS apps and improper platform usage.
Learn how to protect your iOS applications with iOS penetration testing, the most common vulnerabilities, and the potential consequences of not pentesting your applications in this guide, designed to empower you in making informed cybersecurity decisions.
What is iOS penetration testing?
iOS penetration testing does what it says on the tin.
Adopting manual penetration testing techniques, a specialised team of pentesters will scour your pre-determined iOS applications for security issues, using learned hacking techniques to uncover security loopholes.
Although it might seem counter-intuitive to hack something to identify its vulnerabilities, this approach is completely safe and extremely beneficial in revealing the methods a malicious hacker might employ to access your sensitive information.
The pentesting team simulate the attack methods of malicious hackers to compile a report on the strength of your application's security, taking note of security flaws as well as the overall health of your iOS ecosystem.
By conducting this controlled security testing, the penetration testing team can provide practical insights and enable you to address and fix the identified vulnerabilities within your applications effectively, protecting your sensitive data from falling into the hands of malicious hackers.
What are the most common iOS vulnerabilities?
There are technically no vulnerabilities exclusive to iOS applications.
The most common vulnerabilities for iOS can also be said for Android, and mobile applications in general. These vulnerabilities include:
Insecure data storage
Improper data storage can leave sensitive user information exposed to hackers or malicious apps. If data is stored without encryption, attackers can easily access passwords, session tokens, personal details, or financial information. Using insecure storage locations can make data vulnerable if the device is stolen or compromised.
Use Keychain as a secure means of storing data. But even with Keychain, improper settings can leave sensitive information exposed. Avoid using weak access policies that allow data retrieval when the device is locked. Always use biometric authentication in addition to device biometrics and strong encryption to ensure maximum security.
Code injection vulnerabilities
iOS apps can be vulnerable to code injection if they handle user input or external code in an insecure manner. Malicious code can be injection in the form of input to steal data, modify app behaviour, or even take full control of an app. This can happen through weaknesses like unsafe web content loading, insecure database queries, or sending user input to dangerous code execution methods. Protecting apps requires strict input validation, avoiding dynamic code execution, and using secure coding practices to prevent unauthorised access.
Weak authentication mechanisms
Weak authentication practices like using easily guessable passcodes make it simple for attackers to break into an iOS application. Without biometric options like Face ID or a strong passcode, applications are more vulnerable to being hijacked. Sensitive applications i.e., financial applications should have passcode and biometrics configured on top of the device biometrics/passcode. If session tokens are stored insecurely, attackers can steal them from a lost or stolen device and gain control of the user's account. Additionally, without SSL pinning, attackers can also intercept HTTP traffic and steal session tokens.
Improper ssl/tls implementation
If a device is stolen and the application is configured to trust user-installed certificates, attackers need to put little to no effort in intercepting the traffic between the application and the server. This can lead to session hijacking or account compromise. Even if the application does not trust user-installed certificates, SSL pinning must be implemented securely to prevent attackers from intercepting communication. To effectively protect data, SSL pinning should use customised methods that are not easily bypassed by publicly available tools like Frida and Objection. This makes it harder for less-skilled attackers to intercept traffic and compromise accounts, thereby reducing the risk.
How can businesses benefit from iOS penetration testing services?
iOS penetration testing offers a broad range of benefits for businesses of any size. Alongside enhancing the overall security of your applications, you can ensure compliance with industry regulations and build customer trust by singalling your commitment to secure data storage. Combined, these various benefits can save your organisation time and money, helping you to avoid costly fines for non-compliance or data leaks.
Is iOS pentesting different from mobile pentesting?
While iOS pentesting is a subset of mobile application pentesting and largely similar, there are some distinctions in each test type's methodology which make them unique.
Why is this? Compared to competitors, the iOS environment is far more controlled- meaning that pentesters in turn must adopt different techniques and tools to identify security vulnerabilities.
For example, iOS places emphasis on ease-of-use and the seamless integration of apps across devices. Android, on the other-hand, has a more open and less sophisticated system.
These differences greatly influence pentesters’ methodology when evaluating the security framework of each platform, subsequently affecting the selection of tools and techniques required to achieve their objectives.
What are the potential consequences of not performing iOS penetration testing?
Although all types of networks can be exploited, the widespread use of iOS applications and the sensitive data they contain make them particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals. Neglecting iOS penetration testing can lead to significant consequences, spanning from financial repercussions to the disruption of normal business operation.
By not performing a penetration test, exploitable vulnerabilities in your application and operating system risk going unidentified by your internal development team, leaving your application continually vulnerable to potential breaches by malicious hackers.
This lack of investment in building a robust security strategy sends poor signals to customers, who might feel hesitant to use your app due to a lack of confidence that their data is protected.
What best practices can enhance iOS app security?
In addition to testing iOS applications, there are several strategies you can implement to bolster the security of your iOS environment. These include:
- Use iOS keychain to securely store sensitive information such as certificates, passwords, and keys.
- Enforce data encryption with iOS's built-in encryption libraries to keep sensitive data safe from cyberthreats.
- Avoid insecure coding practices by validating user inputs.
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your app users to prevent hackers from successfully bypassing authentication.
iOS penetration testing is essential in safeguarding your applications and maintaining the trust of apple users. By proactively identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities, you can ensure that sensitive data remains protected against potential threats, preventing unauthorised access and data breaches.
Strengthen the overall security posture of your iOS applications today with OnSecurity's iOS penetration testing services.
