Use Case
Mobile app security testing protects your mobile applications against security & privacy risks
Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) is the process of analyzing mobile apps—during development and after release—to identify security vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and privacy risks. It’s a foundational part of modern mobile app security testing, especially as mobile apps handle sensitive data, integrate with backend systems, and interact directly with user devices.
Why mobile application security testing matters
Mobile development teams are under pressure to move fast—delivering new features, fixes, and updates on tight deadlines. But when security teams can’t keep up, vulnerabilities go undetected and the risks reach customers, auditors, and production environments. That’s why leading organizations are embedding automated mobile app security testing into their development pipelines to secure every build, without slowing down delivery.
Common mobile app security threats
Hardcoded credentials and secrets
exposed in the binary
Insecure data storage,
including unencrypted files and logs on the device
Weak or broken TLS configurations,
allowing for MITM attacks
Improper use of platform permissions
and privacy-violating SDKs
Unprotected APIs
exposing sensitive functionality or user data
Debug settings or test modes
accidentally included in production builds
Inadequate session management
leading to unauthorized access
Susceptibility to tampering,
including app repackaging or hooking
Exposure to reverse engineering,
revealing sensitive logic, API keys, or proprietary IP
Benefits of comprehensive mobile app security testing
Comprehensive mobile app security testing gives your team full visibility, control, and assurance—without slowing down development, providing:
Full visibility into what you’re actually shipping
Analyze the final mobile binary—not just source code or build configs—to catch issues hidden during compilation and packaging
Actionable findings for developers—not noise
Prioritized, contextual results help dev teams remediate quickly, without parsing generic scanner output
Runtime behavior insights and SDK analysis
Understand how apps behave once deployed—including data storage, API usage, and third-party SDK behavior
Built-in compliance alignment
Map findings directly to frameworks like OWASP MASVS, PCI DSS, HIPAA, and internal policies—with exportable reports
Faster, safer release cycles
Test every build in CI/CD, reduce rework, and minimize last-minute security delays
Lower security and operational costs
Reduce breach risk, avoid regulatory fines, minimize rework, and cut reliance on expensive manual testing or external consultants
Key components of a mobile application security testing solution
Code analysis (SAST)
Analyzes source code to detect vulnerabilities early in the development cycle. Foundational for identifying insecure logic, API misuse, and hardcoded secrets before they become embedded in release builds.
Dynamic testing (DAST)
Examines the app while it’s running to uncover issues that only surface during execution, such as flawed authentication, session management flaws, or runtime data leaks.
Interactive testing (IAST)
Interactive application security testing (IAST) is a hybrid security testing approach that works by embedding security agents inside the application runtime environment, allowing real-time analysis of code execution, API calls, and user interactions.
Forced-path execution
Forced path execution simulates key user flows and triggers code paths that are often skipped in normal testing—like those behind logins, feature flags, or admin settings. It uncovers hidden vulnerabilities that static scans and manual reviews usually miss.
Network communication testing
Analyzes how the app communicates with backend services to detect insecure data transmission. Identifies risks like plaintext traffic, weak or misconfigured TLS, exposed API endpoints, and susceptibility to man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks.
Data storage security
Evaluates how sensitive data is stored locally on the device. Ensures encryption is properly implemented and confirms that logs, caches, and local files aren’t exposing confidential information to unauthorized access.
Post-deployment monitoring without SDKs or agents
Allows ongoing assessment of live App Store builds without embedding code or relying on user devices. Maintains visibility post-release with zero user impact
Platform-specific security testing
Addresses the unique security rules, risks, and behaviors of each platform (iOS and Android) to ensure nothing is missed. Delivers accurate results for both iOS and Android apps, no matter how they’re built or deployed.
Automated MAST from Quokka
Q-mast is Quokka’s automated mobile application security testing solution built for teams that need deep visibility, operational speed, and strong compliance across both in-house and third-party mobile apps. Q-mast delivers in-depth security assessments to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance risks—without requiring source code. Security and development teams use Q-mast to catch issues early, reduce costs tied to late-stage rework, and minimize exposure to zero-day threats.
Comprehensive coverage
Performs automated scanning in minutes, covering static, dynamic, and interactive analysis, even in obfuscated or binary-only builds — no source code needed
Seamless DevSecOps integration
Automates mobile app testing within CI/CD workflows like GitHub, GitLab, and Jenkins. Tests run in minutes, enabling continuous security without disrupting delivery
Precise SBOM analysis
Generates a complete software bill of materials (SBOM) and analysis for vulnerability reporting to specific library version, including embedded libraries
Advanced threat detection
Leverages defense-grade engines to identify malicious behavior, app collusion risks, and runtime threats
Binary-first analysis
Tests the actual compiled mobile app, not just source code, and operates reliably across all current OS versions
Compliance support
Checks against privacy & security standards and compliance regulations, including NIAP, NIST, and OWASP MASVS
Complementing MAST with Penetration Testing
Penetration testing (pen testing) involves skilled security professionals actively trying to exploit weaknesses in the app’s code, infrastructure, and logic that might go unnoticed during regular development and Q&A. While often performed just 1-3 times per year, pen testing remains a core requirement in compliance frameworks like PCI DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA, and helps reduce regulatory risk and legal exposure. Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) and penetration testing are not mutually exclusive—they’re complementary.
How MAST and Pen Testing Work Together
MAST identifies potential vulnerabilities at scale
MAST provides a wide net, offering a comprehensive overview of the app’s security posture across multiple layers (i.e., code, application logic, network communications, and more).
Penetration testing validates exploitability and impact
Penetration testing takes the findings of MAST and attempts to exploit them in a controlled environment, validating the actual risk and helping to prioritize remediation efforts.
Together, they deliver complete, risk-driven security
MAST covers a wide range of risks, and pen testing adds human expertise and controlled exploitation. Combined, they help teams focus on the highest security risks.
Get started with mobile app security testing
Q-mast gives you the automation, visibility, and control to secure every release—without slowing down development.
Analyst guidance for Mobile App Security Testing (MAST)
Integrates seamlessly with DevSecOps tools & the SDLC
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