Application Vulnerability Assessment

Mobile and Web applications have become an indispensable part of our daily lives, offering convenience, efficiency, and even entertainment at the fingertips. Increased reliance on these applications has also exposed consumers and companies to potential cyber threats and vulnerabilities.

However, not all application developers prioritise cybersecurity during the development stage, leaving these applications susceptible to malicious exploitation. Hence, it is imperative that systematic vulnerability assessments be carried out. This proactive approach enables companies to fully leverage the myriad advantages of mobile applications without compromising security and user privacy.

WHAT IS APPLICATION VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT AND WHY IS it IMPORTANT?

Application Vulnerability Assessment is a rigorous testing procedure designed to identify and evaluate security vulnerabilities in software applications such as Mobile Applications (Android, Apple iOS, and others) and Web Applications. The primary objective of this assessment is to empower application owners by uncovering and assessing any potential weaknesses that could jeopardize the security of their applications and compromise user data and privacy. Apart from mitigating cybersecurity vulnerabilities, such testing minimizes the risk of data privacy breaches.

SCOPE OF OUR APPLICATION VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT SERVICES

• Mobile Application Vulnerability Assessment
• Web Application Vulnerability Assessment

Mobile Applications: Our comprehensive testing covers mobile applications across all major platforms, including Android, Apple iOS, and Windows. Besides providing insights into the security posture of your applications, the assessments also help businesses detect vulnerabilities or potential threat vectors that malicious actors could exploit.

Web Applications: Our examination of web applications involves a thorough search for vulnerabilities that may be exploited when accessed from different platforms. The testing process assesses your application's security posture, paving the way for developing a remedial plan to address and mitigate risks.

Our comprehensive assessments adhere to established guidelines such as OWASP, SANS 25, and NVD.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of applications that we can conduct testing for:

• Smart home IoT products application
• Connected children’s toys and baby monitor application
• Smart home assistant application
• Smart vehicle application
• Wearable health tracker application
• Automation and alarm systems application
• Gaming application
• Retail application
• Health Monitoring application
• And more…

WHY CHOOSE TÜV SÜD FOR SECURITY TESTING?

TÜV SÜD has a global network of information security testing centres to offer our clients tailored testing solutions and certifications, harnessing the full potential of the digital future. Our team of experts is well-versed in the intricacies of cybersecurity, data privacy regulations, and the dynamic landscape of cyber threats.

From the initial stages of application design to its operational stage, we conduct rigorous testing to integrate security and data protection requirements on your applications effectively. We are proficient in revalidation processes to ensure the remediation of any identified vulnerabilities, and you can rest assured that your applications will be of industrial standards.

YOUR BENEFITS AT A GLANCE

• Vulnerability Identification: We identify known application vulnerabilities, enabling companies to proactively address cybersecurity threats and bolster their digital defences
• Proactive Safeguarding: Our approach fortifies your applications against potential attacks and security breaches. By identifying and mitigating potential vulnerabilities, we enhance productivity by taking a proactive stance, reducing the need for reactive responses
• Data Security and Protection: We ensure that your data remains secure while protecting your business and reputation from cybercriminals, which gives you and your valued customers peace of mind
• Cost Optimisation: Our services come with transparent and competitive costs, streamlining your overall operations so your staff can focus on their core functions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the process involved in an application vulnerability assessment?
Application vulnerability assessment helps businesses evaluate their applications’ security posture and prioritise vulnerabilities based on their potential risk. The vulnerability risk assessment involves:
- Planning and scope: Defining the applications, platforms, and data to be assessed.
- Discovery and identification: Finding vulnerabilities in the application through automated scanning and manual testing.
- Reporting and remediation: Creating an extensive report highlighting the vulnerabilities, their severity, and suggestions for remedies.
How often should I conduct a vulnerability assessment for my applications?
The frequency of conducting a cybersecurity vulnerability testing depends on the following:
- The nature of your application: Applications that handle sensitive data or perform critical business operations may require more frequent inspections.
- Regulatory requirements: Certain businesses have special regulatory mandates that require periodic application vulnerability evaluations.
- Changes to the application: Any significant changes to the application code or infrastructure should result in a new assessment.
What vulnerabilities are commonly found in web and mobile applications?
Regular web application vulnerability assessment can identify and address vulnerabilities, protect your applications from cyber-attacks, and help maintain a strong security posture. Some common types of vulnerabilities found in web and mobile applications are:
- Injection flaws (SQL injection, XSS): Malicious code injected through user input can compromise data or allow unauthorised access.
- Broken authentication and authorisation: Weak authentication mechanisms or flaws in authorisation controls can grant unauthorised users access to sensitive data or functionalities.
- Cross-Site scripting (XSS): Malicious scripts injected into web pages can steal user data or redirect them to malicious websites.
- Insecure Direct Object References (IDOR): Unauthorised users can access data intended for other users due to flaws in access control mechanisms.
- Broken Session Management: Weak session management practices can allow attackers to steal session cookies and impersonate legitimate users.
- Insecure configurations: Default configurations, insecure application settings, or underlying infrastructure settings can expose vulnerabilities.