There are more than 1,500 iOS applications that are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks, enabling hackers to intercept encrypted passwords, details of bank accounts, and other sensitive data. Such vulnerability tends to cripple the security of HTTPS, intercepting information sent through an iPad or iPhone through the HTTPS protocol.
iOS Not a Free Pass
Although the number of vulnerable Android apps is increasing in number, this does not mean that iOS is a free pass. Apple’s approach to development has made it a more difficult target to crack, but once the iOS’ security is hacked, it could be dramatically more vulnerable.
- Insecure Data Storage – Such vulnerability occurs when confidential information is not kept within a device in a secured manner. The devices themselves are not absolutely safe, thus, they could be tampered with or stolen, including the contained data. Avoiding this vulnerability is possible by not storing credentials in the device; user authentication credentials must be stored in the API, the device’s keychain. Authentication must be performed through updated HTTPS. iOS developers can also avoid this vulnerability by avoiding iOS Encryption Libraries like Commoncrypto, encrypt SQLite databases through SQLcipher, and avoid NSUserDefaults and plists in general.
- Weak Server Side Controls – You must implement most controls against input attacks on the server side of the app, otherwise, the app design must include input validation controls and checks so as to reduce the loads of work to be performed by the server. There should be minimal input validation, canonicalization, output encoding, and White lists of allowable data.
- Insufficient Transport Layer Protection – TLS/SSL encryption should be enforced, along with solid algorithms between communications. Apps should be programmed, enabling it to display warning messages or any certificate error, warning the user of the encrypted connection’s quality. For this vulnerability, iOS developers must use the CFNetwork API, which utilizes NSStreamSocketSecurityLevelSSLv3 / TLSv1.2. The etAllowsAnyHTTPSCertificate parameter should also be used in order to prohibit accepting all certificates.
- Client Side Injection – This vulnerability involves a lot of input attacks against the app itself. iOS developers must use parameterized queries. Users should also avoid using functions that are prone to vulnerabilities like strcpy, strcat, and so on.
- Side Channel Data Leakage – This vulnerability involves data exchange, which usually enhances application performance, for instance, web caches, keystroke logging, etc. When it comes to Insecure Data Storage, you must build your application, assuming that your gadget might be stolen. Every third party library and side channel included must be determined and enumerated for probable data leakage, which may occur. The app must be dynamically tested so as to verify that it won’t leak data during the runtime. Nevertheless, iOS developers should consider disabling screenshots and cut-and-paste buffers. Also, it is strongly recommended to deactivate keystroke logging from within the app.
Bottom Line
Keep in mind that every hacker or snooper can do a lot of things, if they are determined to do so. They can get into any sensitive data anytime, anywhere, by using your mobile devices, whether it’s an Android, iOS, or Microsoft Windows.
