THE REALITY CHECK
A Working Login Doesn't Mean a Secure One
Mobile applications can function exactly as designed and still expose security weaknesses in the way identities, sessions, data, and application workflows are handled.
Red Sentry tests authentication and account recovery flows, token and session handling, role enforcement, data access, deep links, local storage, and the backend interactions exposed through the mobile app.
Automated tools can identify known patterns and configuration issues. Human-led testing adds the application context needed to determine whether those behaviors can be combined into unauthorized access, data exposure, or abuse of a legitimate workflow.
WHAT WE TEST
We Test the Mobile Client, Device-Side Controls, and the Backend Behaviors It Relies On
Mobile security extends beyond the application binary. We assess device-side protections, identity and session flows, and the backend interactions exposed through the mobile application's workflows.
We assess local data storage, app permissions, deep links, inter-app communication, transport protections, and platform-specific controls such as binary hardening and security configuration.
We test sign-up, login, password recovery, SSO, token handling, and session management end to end, including cases where the mobile client and backend enforce different assumptions about identity or account state.
We exercise the backend behaviors exposed through in-scope mobile workflows, including role enforcement, object access, tenant boundaries, data exposure, and business logic. When mobile and web clients share backend services, a weakness exposed through the mobile workflow may affect more than the mobile application.
Many mobile workflows depend on backend APIs, so mobile testing naturally exercises the backend behavior exposed through the app. This is not the same as a comprehensive API Penetration Test. If you need the API assessed as an independent attack surface, including endpoints and workflows beyond those exposed through the mobile application, that is scoped separately.
Testing is human-led and informed by OWASP MASVS and MASTG guidance. Testing depth and access level are defined during scoping.
THE PROCESS
How We Work
Every Red Sentry engagement includes Portal access so your team can track project status, access reports and evidence, communicate with the project team, and manage remediation in one place.
Project Visibility: Follow engagement status, project communications, and important testing updates.
Jira Integration: Send findings directly to your engineering workflow.
Centralized reporting: Access project communications, findings, evidence, reports, and remediation status in one place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mobile application penetration testing?
Authorized security testing of an iOS or Android application, including the mobile client, device-side controls, and backend interactions exposed through the app. Testing is human-led and informed by OWASP MASVS and MASTG guidance, with scope and access level defined for the engagement.
Is this the same as an API Penetration Test?
No. Mobile testing exercises the backend behavior your mobile app depends on, but it's scoped to the workflows the app itself exposes. If you need the full API surface tested, including endpoints and functionality beyond what the mobile app uses, that's scoped as a separate API Penetration Test.
What platforms can Red Sentry test?
iOS and Android applications.
How do you handle test accounts and device requirements?
We coordinate application builds, test accounts, credentials, supported platforms, device requirements, and any necessary environment or access prerequisites before testing begins.
Can testing be performed against production?
Testing may be performed against production or a representative test environment depending on scope and client requirements. We coordinate testing windows, accounts, restrictions, and escalation contacts before testing begins. Destructive or disruptive techniques are excluded unless explicitly authorized and safely scoped.
Can mobile testing support compliance requirements?
Yes. When included in scope, applicable findings or testing evidence can be mapped to relevant framework areas such as SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, and others. Red Sentry provides technical testing and supporting evidence. Your auditor or assessor determines what evidence is required and whether it is sufficient.
What's the difference between mobile scanning and mobile penetration testing?
Automated mobile analysis can identify known vulnerability patterns, insecure configurations, exposed data, and vulnerable components. Mobile penetration testing adds human-led analysis of the client, device-side controls, authentication and authorization flows, application logic, and backend interactions to validate exploitability and impact.
Do you need access to our source code?
Not necessarily. Mobile assessments can be performed without source-code access. When source-assisted review is included in scope, code access can provide additional context for implementation-level controls and security-relevant logic.
How is it priced?
Pricing depends on scope and complexity. Factors can include platform count, application architecture, user roles, authentication flows, sensitive workflows, backend interactions, access level, and testing requirements. Red Sentry confirms the agreed scope and pricing before testing begins."
Is remediation testing included?
Yes. One round of remediation testing is included for findings in the final report when requested within 90 days of final report delivery, unless otherwise scoped.