Top 10 2014-I7 Insecure Mobile Interface

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Consider anyone who has access to the mobile application.

Attacker uses multiple vectors such as insufficient authentication, lack of transport encryption and account enumeration to access data or controls via the mobile interface. Attack will most likely come from a stolen mobile device.

An insecure mobile interface is present when easy to guess credentials are used or account enumeration is possible. Insecure mobile interfaces are easy to discover by simply reviewing the connection to the device itself or the cloud interface and identifying if SSL is in use or by attempting to login with random credentials and identifying what errors are returned. Automated tools can also look for issues such as lack of transport encryption and account enumeration.

An insecure mobile interface could lead to compromise of user data and control over the device.

Consider the business impact of an insecure mobile interface. Data could be stolen or modified and devices taken control of. Could your users be harmed? Could your brand be harmed?

The easiest way to determine if your mobile interface is secure is by reviewing areas such as account enumeration, account lockout and whether credentials are exposed while connected to wireless networks.

Ensuring a secure mobile interface requires:
 * 1) Ensuring user accounts can not be enumerated using functionality such as password reset mechanims
 * 2) Ensuring account lockout after an appropriate number of tries.
 * 3) Ensuring credentials are not exposed while connected to wireless networks.

Scenario #1: The interface only requires simple passwords.

Example

Scenario #2: Username and password are poorly protected when transmitted over the network. Example

In the cases above, the attacker is able to either easily guess the password or is able to capture the credentials as they cross the network and decode it since the credentials are only protected using Base64 Encoding.