Numerous reports consistently show that companies do not pay enough attention to mobile application security. One of the most common vulnerabilities in mobile apps involves insecure network communications, which attackers can exploit to carry out man-in-the-middle attacks. Another major issue is misconfiguration, which can expose sensitive components or weaken app defenses. Perhaps most concerning, however, are cases where user data is stored in plaintext. 

In 2025, the threat landscape has evolved further, with cybercriminals increasingly using deepfake technology to steal biometric data, such as facial recognition profiles and voiceprints. These advanced tactics allow attackers to break into mobile apps from the inside, bypass authentication systems, and compromise sensitive user information through deepfake-powered identity fraud. 

Misunderstood Mobile App Risks 

Many developers still believe that mobile apps are merely front-end displays for server-side data, and, therefore, do not require much protection. While this may be partially true, since mobile apps, like web apps, run on the user’s device and pull data from a backend server, the reality is more complex. The components and data stored on the user’s device in a mobile app differ significantly from what is handled in a typical browser-based application. 

As mobile app usage continues to grow, developers often focus on delivering new features quickly to meet rising demand. When the server side cannot keep pace, they may store sensitive data locally, cache it, or rely on local authentication methods instead. Unfortunately, this urgency can lead to risky practices like storing passwords in plain text. 

Mobile applications can no longer be considered simple data showcases. Today, they are full-fledged systems with their own development methodologies, architectures, data flows and asynchronous operations. As such, they should be treated as standalone products – or, at the very least, as critical components of the overall system. 

The same security standards applied to server-side components should also apply to mobile applications, adjusted to fit the unique characteristics of the mobile environment. Moreover, since the server and mobile app often operate in close coordination, the security of one directly impacts the other. Weakness in either component can compromise the entire system. 

Data Leaks in Mobile Apps: A Goldmine for Hackers 

Sensitive data stored locally by mobile applications can create numerous entry points for attackers. Mobile apps often include hardcoded credentials for technical accounts, test server details, or API keys for third-party services – whether in the code itself or in data saved on the device. Such keys are commonly used for social media integration, push notifications, and payment systems, making them valuable targets for exploitation. 

These keys often carry excessive privileges far beyond what is needed for client-side interactions. In some cases, developers accidentally leave them behind, along with other sensitive data. It is not uncommon to find build scripts or dependency files within a mobile app, revealing the versions of all integrated libraries, addresses of CI/CD systems and internal environments, and even developers’ contact information – sometimes including personal details like Telegram usernames. 

It is important to note that this kind of sensitive information is rarely found in web application code. While both web and mobile apps run on users’ devices, developers generally avoid storing confidential data in browser storage. Yet, mobile apps are sometimes treated differently – unjustifiably so. Attackers can extract and analyze strings from app files or decompile Android applications. Any exposed data they uncover can be leveraged to launch attacks ranging from targeted exploits to large-scale breaches. 

OS Security is not Bulletproof 

Many companies still store and cache large amounts of user data in an unprotected format within the app sandbox, assuming it is safe because the sandbox is secured by the operating system and only accessible to the app itself. However, this belief creates a false sense of security. 

In reality, this assumption is flawed – anything stored or verified locally can potentially be accessed or bypassed. Attackers have several methods for extracting sensitive data. They can retrieve it through cloud or local backups, exploit vulnerabilities that expose sandbox files, or gain access by using root (on Android) or jailbreak (on iOS) privileges. Moreover, many mobile apps still fail to detect when they are running in a compromised environment. 

It is also important to remember that not all encryption tools used for securing data on a device are equally effective. In practice, it is common to find encryption keys hardcoded into the source code or stored in files located right next to the encrypted data. These and other common mistakes – such as improper use of encryption and hashing algorithms – undermine the very protections they are meant to provide. 

Isolated Risks, Broad Consequences 

Some developers believe the risks are minimal and that security is not a significant concern if only one user of the app is affected. However, it is important to remember that the role of information security is to protect the data and finances of all users – without exception. 

Moreover, just because a threat targets a single user does not mean it will have a negligible impact on the company. For example, if attackers steal a significant amount of money from a VIP client, the incident may fall outside any predefined risk coverage. 

Now, let’s consider this argument from another perspective. Imagine an application has a vulnerability that exposes a user’s data – data that could be used in future attacks. Technically, the flaw may affect just one user at a time, but the app has many users, and any one of them could become the next target. 

If attackers discover a vulnerability in a mobile application, they can use it to target multiple users, potentially causing significant financial and reputational harm to the company. To launch a large-scale attack, they may leverage third-party services, social engineering tactics, or malware designed to exploit weaknesses in the app – especially in widely used applications, which are frequent targets for such malicious tools. 

App Stores do not Prioritize Your Security 

App stores primarily protect their own interests and focus on what benefits them most. Their primary concern is ensuring that an app is not outright malicious and complies with platform policies. They also review product descriptions and check the quality of submitted screenshots, but their oversight rarely extends beyond these basic requirements. 

In fact, app stores often publish applications extremely quickly – sometimes within just 20 minutes. No detailed vulnerability notifications are issued during this process, raising serious doubts about whether thorough security reviews are actually taking place in such a short timeframe. 

While platforms like the Samsung Galaxy Store and Huawei AppGallery claim to scan apps for vulnerabilities, there is little publicly available information on the depth, criteria, or consistency of those checks. 

The growing complexity of the mobile threat landscape — including tactics like typosquatting, fleeceware, and the injection of malicious code into open-source projects — makes it increasingly easy for attackers to bypass app store protections. 

Even Google Play and the Apple App Store are not immune. Despite years of tightening review processes, researchers continue to uncover fake apps and malware that manage to slip through. These threats often disguise themselves as legitimate tools — such as VPNs, QR scanners, or finance apps — and can persist undetected for weeks or months, quietly siphoning user data or charging exorbitant subscription fees. 

Third-party app stores only amplify the risk. The rise of sideloading — especially following regulatory changes like the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) — has opened new channels for threat actors. Alternative platforms are typically less regulated, making them fertile ground for counterfeit, cloned, or backdoored apps. In some cases, even fake versions of popular software have made their way into third-party marketplaces, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent revenue before being shut down. 

This underscores a key reality: The responsibility for mobile app security cannot be offloaded to app stores. Continuous monitoring, threat detection, and proper app security auditing are essential — not just before publishing an app but throughout its lifecycle.  

Conclusion 

An IT system is only as secure as its weakest link – and that link should never be the mobile application. Modern mobile apps are complex, full-featured systems that often handle sensitive data valuable to attackers. They run on users’ devices, which are inherently less secure and more difficult to control. If a vulnerability is exploited, it could expose millions of users to risk, leading to severe financial and reputational damage. That is why mobile apps must be secured with the same rigor as any other software. Achieving strong protection requires dedicated security tools and a comprehensive analysis process integrated into every stage of development.