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
atlas_techniques	["AML.T0057"]
nist_ai_rmf	["MEASURE-2.7","MAP-5.1","MANAGE-2.4","GOVERN-1.1","GOVERN-4.2"]
nist_csf	["PR.PS-01","PR.AA-05","ID.RA-01","DE.CM-09"]
mitre_attack	["T1059","T1056","T1036","T1078","T1003"]

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)

Legal Notice: This skill is for authorized security testing and educational purposes only. Unauthorized use against systems you do not own or have written permission to test is illegal and may violate computer fraud laws.

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/   
│   ├── Caches/        
│   └── Application Support/
└── tmp/