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Mobile, smartphone and tablet traffic has eclipsed traffic coming from desktop devices like laptop computers, yet many organizations still treat mobile application security as an afterthought. This gap is exactly why we assembled the Mobile Hacking Resource Kit—a curated PDF packed with the very blogs, videos, courses, and tools our community relies on for iOS and Android pen testing. Grab the guide, bookmark this post, and level up your next bug bounty hunt.

Download: Mobile Hacking Resource Kit (PDF) (2‑minute read, no form fill required)

What’s inside the kit

Complete pen testing and mobile hacking tools list

Pentesters, hackers, and security professionals are increasingly focusing on mobile device and application security and using a variety of powerful tools to identify vulnerabilities. The tools below will help pentesters with vulnerability scanning and effectively evaluating and securing mobile applications on wireless networks:

• Burp Suite—A versatile tool or platform for the security testing of web applications, including mobile app traffic interception and analysis
• Caido—A web security toolkit, is built by hackers for hackers and has established itself as a leading choice for penetration testers, bug bounty hunters, and other security professionals alike. Caido provides a robust, yet intuitive, set of features that enables you to identify vulnerabilities in web applications in an efficient and organized manner.
• Frida—A dynamic instrumentation toolkit for developers, reverse engineers, and security researchers looking to modify iOS and Android apps’ behavior at runtime
• Objection—A runtime mobile exploration toolkit powered by Frida and used to bypass root detection and SSL pinning, as well as for insightful app security assessments
• Mobile Security Framework (MobSF)—An automated, all-in-one mobile app pen testing framework capable of static and dynamic analysis
• APKTool—A tool for reverse engineering Android APK files, allowing the manipulation of app resources and reconstruction for analysis
• Androguard—A suite for analyzing Android applications; capable of disassembling, decompiling, and analyzing Android bytecode
• Drozer—A comprehensive security and attack framework for Android used for both the static and dynamic security analysis of Android apps
• xPosed Framework—Enables the modification of system or app behavior without modifying APKs; useful for testing apps’ responses to environmental changes
• mitmproxy—An interactive, SSL-capable intercepting proxy intended for debugging and pen testing, including assessing mobile app traffic
• Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)—An open-source web application security scanner that supports API and mobile app testing setups
• Needle—An open-source tool focused on iOS application pen testing, providing a framework to automate various tasks.
• Cycript—A tool combining JavaScript and Objective-C to perform runtime analysis and manipulation of iOS applications
• Jadx—A tool for decompiling Android DEX files to Java source code, aiding in the static analysis of Android applications
• IDA Pro—A powerful, multiprocessor disassembler and debugger for reverse engineering compiled apps for both iOS and Android
• Ghidra—A free reverse-engineering tool developed by the NSA for analyzing app binaries on multiple platforms
• Cydia Substrate—A powerful framework for modifying existing applications and system functions on jailbroken iOS devices.

These tools are a great place to start for pentesters and hackers. Use them for assessment, understanding, and remediation. Each tool has its own set of features and use cases. This allows testers to choose based on their specific needs and target platform.

AI or LLM pen testing tools

Pentesters are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) and language learning models (LLMs) into their strategies. Not only does this enhance their capabilities, it also allows their methods to move quickly and at low cost. Check these articles out for reference: “A low-cost hacking sidekick” and “Hacking LLM applications.” By leveraging AI, pentesters can automate repetitive tasks, such as vulnerability scanning and threat hunting. This not only speeds up the testing process but also reduces the likelihood of human error. AI pen test tools can also mimic real-world threats by creating sophisticated attack scenarios. LLMs, in particular, are being used to analyze vast amounts of data to detect subtle patterns and anomalies that may indicate security weaknesses.

A newly popular use of AI models is to generate realistic phishing emails. Ethical hackers can use these models to stay ahead of attackers by automating social engineering tactics to evaluate an organization’s defenses against such threats. Moreover, because LLMs can generate text that mimics human writing styles, LLMs can be used by a wide range of malicious actors to create convincing phishing emails or automated responses. This further complicates the detection and prevention of such attacks. The following are ways that hackers can use AI in testing:

• Automated vulnerability scanner—This AI-powered tool can rapidly scan systems for known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, helping pentesters identify weaknesses more quickly and accurately.
• Advanced threat simulation—LLMs can simulate complex attack vectors and generate realistic scenarios as an automation tool to test an organization’s response to potential threats, providing insights into how systems might be exploited by adversaries.
• Data pattern analysis—AI tools can process and analyze large datasets to detect anomalies and uncover hidden patterns that might be indicative of security vulnerabilities, offering deeper insights than traditional methods.
• Improved phishing tactics—By using LLMs to craft highly convincing phishing emails and messages, pentesters can more effectively test an organization’s awareness of and preparedness against social engineering attacks.

However, the use of AI and LLMs in pen testing also introduces potential security loopholes. The primary concern is data privacy and control. By integrating AI systems that require access to sensitive company data, there is an inherent risk that this data could be mishandled or exposed. This can happen when tools interact with the internet and there is a lack of proper data-handling protocols in place.

It’s important to carefully evaluate the security implications of using AI in pen testing. AI is a wonderful tool, advancing methodologies and assessments while keeping costs low. But ensuring robust data governance practices are in place is equally as important.

Recap

iOS and Android pen testing is a unique and even complicated area of hacking. A lot of different tools can aid in assessments, but AI is one tool that can’t be skipped. A deep understanding of traditional tools and techniques, alongside a keen awareness of the evolving role of AI and LLMs in hacking, is the best way to stay ahead. By leveraging resources like the Bugcrowd Mobile Hacking Resource Kit and staying informed about the latest advancements in AI-driven security testing, professionals can effectively secure mobile applications and many other assets. Stay informed with Bugcrowd through X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Discord.