In the past year, we have seen a lot of emerging threats in the mobile app security industry.  The OWASP Mobile Top 10 describes the highest security vulnerabilities mobile applications face. The risk of improper credential usage is new to the 2023 OWASP Mobile Top 10 and has become so important that it warrants being number one on the list. 

Let’s take a look at fraudulent credential usage, its implications and the best way for companies to mitigate the risks.

What’s improper credential usage?

One of the most prevalent issues is the use of hard-coded credentials. Despite being an outdated and unsafe practice, it is still found in many mobile apps. 

When credentials are embedded directly into the source code or the configuration files, they become vulnerable to exploitation. Additionally, transmitting credentials without encryption or storing them loosely on the device amplifies the risk. On top of this, weak authentication protocols make it easier for pirates to access sensitive information.

Threat agents targeting applications specifically allow attackers to exploit the hard-coded credentials and launch automated attacks using custom-built tools.

Technical and business impacts

When your credentials are not managed properly, this can have severe technical impacts. If an unauthorized user gains access to information or a specific functionality in the app or the backend, this often results in data breaches, loss of user privacy, fraudulent activity, and potential access to administrative functionality. 

The ramifications of poor credential management extend beyond technical vulnerabilities to encompass severe business repercussions. The erosion of user trust resulting from such breaches can inflict lasting damage to an organization’s reputation. 

Intellectual property theft, fraud, and unauthorized data access further compound the risks.

How can Verimatrix XTD help?

First and foremost, it requires robust security measures that will safeguard mobile applications throughout their lifecycle. Verimatrix XTD offers comprehensive solutions to mitigate the risks.

Thanks to our advanced string obfuscation techniques, XTD is able to protect mobile apps from fraudulent credential usage. Our tools encrypt exposed strings within the source code or binary and ensure that credentials remain secure even when the application is at rest. We also do runtime integrity checks to thwart dynamic analysis attempts, preventing attackers from exploiting vulnerabilities during app execution.

Verimatrix XTD provides protection against common attack vectors, such as 

  • Overlay attacks: These types of attacks add an invisible layer to the app; the user believes he’s entering information in the original app when, in reality, it’s all transmitting to the attacker. 
  • Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks: Attackers impersonate a browser or a server to steal sensitive information.

It’s important to really understand the risks associated with credentials and to implement the proper security measures. Companies are slowly starting to strengthen their apps against those kind of attacks but most of them do not have dedicated experts on hand. 

This is where Verimatrix XTD comes in. It’s the whole package! It allows companies to protect their apps and their customers extensively.

Learn more about mobile threats in our latest OWASP Mobile Top 10 Whitepaper.