Mobile App Pentest Cheat Sheet
A comprehensive cheat sheet and tool collection for mobile application penetration testing, mapped to OWASP Mobile Top 10 risks.
What is Mobile App Pentest Cheat Sheet?
The Mobile Application Penetration Testing Cheat Sheet is a curated collection of tools, commands, and methodologies for security professionals testing Android and iOS applications. It provides structured guidance on reverse engineering, dynamic analysis, network testing, and bypassing security controls like SSL pinning. The resource is mapped to the OWASP Mobile Top 10 to help testers systematically identify common vulnerabilities.
Mobile application penetration testers, security researchers, and developers focused on identifying and mitigating security flaws in Android and iOS apps. It's also valuable for students and professionals learning mobile security testing techniques.
It consolidates scattered tools and techniques into a single, organized reference, saving time and ensuring comprehensive coverage during assessments. Unlike generic guides, it offers platform-specific commands, real-world tool examples, and alignment with industry-standard risk frameworks.
Overview
The Mobile App Pentest cheat sheet was created to provide concise collection of high value information on specific mobile application penetration testing topics.
Use Cases
Best For
- Learning mobile app penetration testing methodologies from scratch
- Finding tools for reverse engineering Android APK or iOS IPA files
- Bypassing SSL pinning or root detection during security assessments
- Setting up a mobile security testing lab with vulnerable practice apps
- Conducting dynamic runtime analysis using frameworks like Frida or Cycript
- Referencing OWASP Mobile Top 10 mapped testing procedures
Not Ideal For
- Teams needing automated, GUI-driven vulnerability scanners for compliance reporting
- Organizations seeking vendor-supported, certified training materials with interactive labs
- Developers looking for real-time, updated vulnerability databases or patch recommendations
- Projects exclusively focused on web application security without mobile components
Pros & Cons
Pros
Provides an extensive list of tools like APKTool, Frida, and Burp Suite with specific usage commands, such as `apktool d <apk file>` for disassembling Android APKs.
Aligns resources and methodologies with the OWASP Mobile Top 10 risk framework, ensuring systematic coverage of common vulnerabilities during assessments.
Offers dedicated guidance for circumventing security controls like SSL pinning and root detection, including Frida CodeShare commands for runtime manipulation.
Includes links to intentionally vulnerable apps like InsecureBankv2 and DVIA for hands-on practice in safe, realistic testing scenarios.
Cons
The README does not indicate update frequency, risking obsolescence with new mobile OS versions and tool changes, leaving users to verify compatibility independently.
Assumes prior knowledge of command-line tools and reverse engineering, offering dense lists without step-by-step tutorials or troubleshooting guidance for beginners.
Focuses on general techniques but does not address vulnerabilities unique to hybrid frameworks like React Native or Flutter, requiring supplemental resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
OWASP Mobile Security Testing GuideThe OWASP Mobile Application Security Testing Guide (MASTG) is a comprehensive manual for mobile app security testing and reverse engineering. It describes technical processes for verifying the OWASP Mobile Security Weakness Enumeration (MASWE) weaknesses, which are in alignment with the OWASP MASVS.
Android-Security-ReferenceA W.I.P Android Security Ref
android app security checklistAndroid App Security Checklist
Android Reverse Engineering 101 by Daniele Altomare (Web Archive link)Found a gem we're missing?
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