How to Hunt and Report Security Vulnerabilities in Android Applications

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Android application security is a critical area in cybersecurity, with bug bounty programs offering rewards for ethical hackers who discover and report vulnerabilities. Here’s a deep dive into Android vulnerability hunting, tools, and methodologies.

You Should Know:

1. Common Android Vulnerabilities

  • Insecure Data Storage: Sensitive data stored in plaintext.
  • Improper Session Handling: Weak session tokens or cookies.
  • Insecure API Endpoints: APIs leaking data due to misconfigurations.
  • Code Injection: Exploiting insecure input validation.

2. Tools for Android Security Testing

  • MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) – Automated scanning for vulnerabilities.
    git clone https://github.com/MobSF/Mobile-Security-Framework-MobSF.git
cd Mobile-Security-Framework-MobSF
./setup.sh
  • Frida – Dynamic instrumentation toolkit for runtime manipulation.
    pip install frida-tools
frida-ps -U  List running processes on a connected device
  • Drozer – Android security assessment framework.
    drozer console connect  Start Drozer interactive session

3. Steps to Reproduce & Report a Vulnerability

1. Reverse Engineer APK (Use `apktool`):

apktool d target.apk -o output_dir

2. Analyze Network Traffic (Use `Burp Suite`):

  • Configure proxy for Android emulator/device.
  • Intercept API calls for insecure data exposure.

3. Check Logs for Sensitive Data (Use `logcat`):

adb logcat | grep "password|token"

4. Submit a Detailed Report:

  • Include Proof of Concept (PoC).
  • Provide CVSS score and remediation steps.

What Undercode Say:

Android security testing requires a mix of static and dynamic analysis. Always test in a controlled environment (emulator or rooted device). Bug bounty platforms like HackerOne and Bugcrowd provide guidelines for responsible disclosure.

Expected Output:

  • A well-documented vulnerability report.
  • A fixed APK from the developer after validation.
  • A bounty reward (if reported via a bug bounty program).

Relevant URLs:

References:

Reported By: Sakshi Rathore – Hackers Feeds
Extra Hub: Undercode MoN
Basic Verification: Pass ✅

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