Mobile Application Penetration Testing
PENTRA enables structured mobile application penetration testing for iOS and Android — against the OWASP Mobile MASTG, with engineer-validated findings, proof of execution per test case, and on-demand reporting at any stage of the engagement.
PENTRA can be used by internal security teams as a platform or delivered as a fully managed service by Reacts — using the same structured methodology, technique library, and evidence-based execution model.
Mobile Testing That Goes Beyond Automated Scanning
Mobile penetration testing evaluates iOS and Android applications for vulnerabilities in client-side logic, storage, and communication with backend systems.
Automated mobile security scanners identify surface-level issues. PENTRA identifies what is actually exploitable — authentication bypasses, insecure data storage, runtime manipulation, and backend API vulnerabilities that automated tools miss.
PENTRA executes each OWASP Mobile test case individually, under engineer control. Every finding is validated, evidenced, and recorded before the test case is marked complete.
Testing Methodology
PENTRA mobile assessments follow a blackbox methodology structured against the OWASP Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG).
| Phase | Activities |
|---|---|
| Application Mapping | Collect application artifacts · Identify frameworks, libraries, and backend endpoints · Map the application's data flows and trust boundaries |
| Static Analysis | Reverse engineer the application binary · Identify hardcoded credentials, insecure cryptography, and improper storage · Map sensitive data handling |
| Dynamic Analysis | Execute OWASP test cases against the running application — authentication, session management, data protection, network communication |
| Backend & API Testing | Test backend APIs against OWASP API Security — authentication, authorization, injection surfaces |
| Validation & Evidence | Engineer validates exploitability of each finding · Records evidence (pass/fail screenshots) per test case before marking finding |
How PENTRA Structures This Engagement
This capability is delivered through the PENTRA platform using structured technique execution, human validation, and evidence-based reporting.
Learn how this capability fits into the full PENTRA platform →
Complete OWASP Mobile Application Testing Guide test case library — iOS and Android.
Pass / Fail / Not Applicable / Open — every test case tracked with engineer-assigned status.
Every finding validated before it is recorded — no unconfirmed output enters the report.
Pass and fail screenshots per test case — stored securely and embedded in reports.
100% scope coverage enforced before engagement close — no test case skipped without explicit marking.
On-demand mobile pentest PDF report with executive summary and evidence gallery — generated at any stage.
PT++: Mobile Assessment with Backend Detection Validation
PT++ mobile engagements extend the standard mobile pentest to include simultaneous Blue Team detection validation for backend API attack techniques. As the engineer executes backend and API test cases, the Blue Team Portal streams live execution data — enabling your SOC to mark detection per test case and measure how effectively backend monitoring detects mobile application attack patterns.
| Capability | Description | Tags |
|---|---|---|
| Binary Reverse Engineering | Structured reverse engineering of application binaries to identify hidden functionality, hardcoded secrets, and obfuscation bypass vulnerabilities. | Binary Analysis · Code Obfuscation |
| Runtime Manipulation Testing | Assess runtime application self-protection (RASP) and anti-tampering mechanisms — including hooking frameworks and dynamic instrumentation. | RASP Testing · Anti-Tampering |
| Platform-Specific Security Testing | iOS Keychain handling, Android SharedPreferences security, biometric authentication implementation — tested against OWASP MASTG. | iOS Security · Android Security |
| Data Protection Testing | Structured assessment of data storage, encryption implementation, and data transmission security. | Data Encryption · Secure Storage |
| Backend API Testing with Detection Validation | OWASP API Security testing of backend endpoints · Blue Team Portal detection marking for API attack techniques (PT++ component) | API Security · SOC Integration |
| Metric | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| OWASP Mobile Coverage | 100% of in-scope test cases executed and validated |
| Proof of Execution | Evidence (pass/fail screenshot) for every test case |
| Backend Detection Rate (PT++ only) | Percentage of backend API test cases detected by the Blue Team |
Platforms Covered
PENTRA mobile assessments are structured for custom-built iOS and Android applications.
| Platform | Description |
|---|---|
| iOS Applications | Structured testing against OWASP MASTG for iOS — covering Keychain security, biometric authentication, network communication, and binary protection. |
| Android Applications | Structured testing against OWASP MASTG for Android — covering SharedPreferences, file storage security, intent handling, and root detection bypass. |
Prefer a Fully Managed Engagement?
Reacts delivers this capability as a managed service — executed by certified engineers and powered by the PENTRA platform.
Request a Managed Assessment