📱 What is iOS Application Security Testing?
iOS application testing is the process of evaluating iOS apps for security vulnerabilities, flaws in business logic, and unsafe implementation of features. This testing ensures that mobile apps handle data securely, especially since iOS devices are widely used in enterprise environments.
🚨 Common iOS Security Threats
- Improper platform usage (e.g. misuse of TouchID/FaceID)
- Insecure data storage (e.g. sensitive data in plist or NSUserDefaults)
- Insecure communication (lack of SSL pinning, MITM risks)
- Code tampering or jailbreak detection bypass
- Reverse engineering and code extraction
🔍 Testing Phases
1. Static Analysis
Performed without executing the app. Involves analyzing source code, binaries, or decompiled content.
- Extract the IPA or .app file from device or simulator
- Use
class-dumpto extract headers - Inspect the
Info.plistfile for insecure settings - Check for sensitive data in files using
strings
2. Dynamic Analysis
Involves runtime inspection of the app in an emulator or real device (preferably jailbroken).
- Use tools like
Frida,Cycript,Objectionto hook into the app - Test runtime permissions, local data leaks, insecure API calls
- Intercept traffic using Burp Suite (with SSL unpinning if required)
3. Reverse Engineering
Break down the app binary to understand its logic, identify hidden features or hardcoded secrets.
- Use
HopperorGhidrato disassemble and analyze the Mach-O binary - Identify hardcoded keys, authentication tokens, debug flags
- Analyze how the app detects jailbreaks or SSL pinning
🧪 Real-World Example
# Step 1: Pull IPA from iOS device
ideviceinstaller -l
ideviceinstaller -u UDID -o app=AppName
# Step 2: Extract binary and analyze
unzip AppName.ipa
class-dump --arch arm64 -H AppName -o headers
# Step 3: Bypass SSL pinning with Frida
frida -U -n AppName -l ios-ssl-pinning-bypass.js
💡 Practical Tips for iOS Pentesters
- Always test on a jailbroken device for full access
- Be aware of iOS security mechanisms: sandboxing, entitlements, keychain, etc.
- Look for plist files, SQLite databases, cached web content
- Document any signs of insecure coding practices or weak obfuscation
🛠️ Recommended Tools
- Frida – Dynamic instrumentation toolkit
- Objection – Runtime mobile exploration
- Hopper – Disassembler for iOS apps
- Ghidra – NSA's reverse engineering suite
- class-dump – Extract Objective-C headers
📋 iOS Testing Checklist
- ⬜ Jailbreak detection & bypass
- ⬜ SSL pinning implementation
- ⬜ Secure keychain usage
- ⬜ Obfuscation of business logic
- ⬜ No sensitive data in logs or caches
- ⬜ Proper usage of permissions