exploiting-insecure-data-storage-in-mobile

name	exploiting-insecure-data-storage-in-mobile
description	Identifies and exploits insecure local data storage vulnerabilities in Android and iOS mobile applications including unencrypted databases, world-readable files, insecure SharedPreferences, plaintext credential storage, and improper keychain/keystore usage. Use when performing mobile penetration testing focused on OWASP M9 (Insecure Data Storage) or assessing compliance with MASVS-STORAGE requirements. Activates for requests involving mobile data storage security, local storage exploitation, SharedPreferences analysis, or mobile data leakage assessment.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	mobile-security
author	mahipal
tags	["mobile-security","android","ios","data-storage","owasp-mobile","penetration-testing"]
version	1.0.0
license	Apache-2.0

Exploiting Insecure Data Storage in Mobile

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Assessing whether mobile applications store sensitive data securely on the device filesystem
• Testing for credential leakage through SharedPreferences, SQLite databases, or plists
• Evaluating keychain/keystore implementation for proper access control attributes
• Performing data-at-rest security assessment during mobile penetration tests

Do not use this skill on production user devices without authorization -- data extraction techniques require physical access or root/jailbreak privileges.

Prerequisites

• Rooted Android device or emulator with ADB access
• Jailbroken iOS device with SSH access or Objection-patched IPA
• ADB (Android Debug Bridge) for Android filesystem access
• SQLite3 CLI for database inspection
• Frida/Objection for runtime data extraction
• Target application installed and exercised (logged in, data cached)

Workflow

Step 1: Map Application Data Storage Locations

Android storage paths:

# Internal storage (app-private, requires root)
/data/data/<package_name>/
├── shared_prefs/      # SharedPreferences XML files
├── databases/         # SQLite databases
├── files/             # General files
├── cache/             # Cached data
├── lib/               # Native libraries
└── app_webview/       # WebView data

# External storage (world-readable on older Android)
/sdcard/Android/data/<package_name>/

# Check for world-readable files
adb shell run-as <package_name> ls -la /data/data/<package_name>/

iOS storage paths:

# App sandbox (accessible via SSH on jailbroken device)
/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/<UUID>/
├── Documents/         # User data, backed up by default
├── Library/
│   ├── Preferences/   # NSUserDefaults plists
│   ├── Caches/        # Cache data
│   └── Application Support/
└── tmp/               # Temporary files

Step 2: Extract and Analyze SharedPreferences (Android)