Android App Development Security Issues to Avoid

Every Android app must store the passwords in a secure manner so that hackers can’t access them even if the database or app is hacked. The right frameworks and coding languages should be stored, keeping security a priority. 

It is crucial if the attackers find the store password hashes, they can launch brute force hashes offline. 

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Many mobile apps have hidden buttons that were once created for a purpose but then put to the rest. However, the buttons still exist there with their functionalities. Hackers can find the hidden buttons and exploit them for malicious purposes. 

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When an Android is developed, the developers write the code but there are always some errors and bugs that remain during the life cycle. That is where the role of QA teams comes into play. They test the complete app to find and fix the bugs.

However, some bugs are difficult to detect. In case hackers discover those bugs, they can exploit them to compromise the app. 

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When there are poor authentication mechanisms in the app, the users can’t be identified. There will be a failure in logging and auditing the user activity. As a result, the app can’t detect malicious users and sources of attacks. Eventually, it will lead to data theft, unauthorized access to sensitive data, etc. 

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Debug mode is usually enabled when the app is in the development phase. However, if it is still enabled after the production, it will bring security risks. 

Hackers can use APKTOOL to find the AndroidManifest.xml file and check whether the app is debuggable or not. If the file can be found, it means the app can be debugged and exploited. Hackers can inject malicious code into the app and use it for their benefit.

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Android apps have android:allowBackup attribute to determine if the data on the app can be backed up and restored. If the backup mode is enabled, hackers can check it and take the backup of the data through adb on their device. 

In case the backup flag is found true, even sensitive data like banking details, passwords, etc. can be stolen.

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OWASP lists insecure authentication among the top five most exploited vulnerabilities in mobile apps. Hackers can bypass the login page without validation by exploiting insecure authentication schemes. This is usually done by submitting requests to the backend server without interacting with the app. 

An Android app faces insecure authentication when:

• It executes backend API service requests without an access token. 

• It saves the passwords on a local device.

• Weak password policies are in place that can be guessed by hackers.

• Features like TouchID are in use. 

One of the main reasons leading to insecure authentication is when the sensitive data is stored on a local device or external storage. Files stored on external storage can be read and modified by hackers. 

They locate the authentication file of the app, check the code that contains credentials, and find access to the app. 

Learn about Insecure Login Advance in a detailed video: