intercepting-mobile-traffic-with-burpsuite

name	intercepting-mobile-traffic-with-burpsuite
description	Intercepts and analyzes HTTP/HTTPS traffic from mobile applications using Burp Suite proxy to identify insecure API communications, authentication flaws, data leakage, and server-side vulnerabilities. Use when performing mobile application penetration testing, assessing API security, or evaluating client-server communication patterns. Activates for requests involving mobile traffic interception, Burp Suite mobile proxy, API security testing, or mobile HTTPS analysis.
domain	cybersecurity
subdomain	mobile-security
author	mahipal
tags	["mobile-security","android","ios","burp-suite","traffic-interception","penetration-testing"]
version	1.0.0
license	Apache-2.0
nist_csf	["PR.PS-01","PR.AA-05","ID.RA-01","DE.CM-09"]
mitre_attack	["T1059","T1056","T1036","T1078"]

Intercepting Mobile Traffic with Burp Suite

When to Use

Use this skill when:

• Testing mobile application API endpoints for authentication, authorization, and injection vulnerabilities
• Analyzing data transmitted between mobile apps and backend servers during penetration tests
• Evaluating certificate pinning implementations and their bypass difficulty
• Identifying sensitive data leakage in mobile network traffic

Do not use this skill to intercept traffic from applications you are not authorized to test -- traffic interception without authorization violates computer fraud laws.

Prerequisites

• Burp Suite Professional or Community Edition installed on testing workstation
• Android device/emulator or iOS device on the same network as Burp Suite host
• Burp Suite CA certificate installed on the target device
• For Android 7+: Network security config modification or Magisk module for system CA trust
• For SSL pinning bypass: Frida + Objection or custom Frida scripts
• Wi-Fi network where proxy configuration is possible

Workflow

Step 1: Configure Burp Suite Proxy Listener

Burp Suite > Proxy > Options > Proxy Listeners:
- Bind to address: All interfaces (or specific IP)
- Bind to port: 8080
- Enable "Support invisible proxying"

Verify the listener is active and note the workstation's IP address on the shared network.

Step 2: Configure Mobile Device Proxy

Android:

Settings > Wi-Fi > [Network] > Advanced > Manual Proxy
- Host: <burp_workstation_ip>
- Port: 8080

iOS:

Settings > Wi-Fi > [Network] > Configure Proxy > Manual
- Server: <burp_workstation_ip>
- Port: 8080

Step 3: Install Burp Suite CA Certificate

Android (below API 24):

# Export Burp CA from Proxy > Options > Import/Export CA Certificate
# Transfer to device and install via Settings > Security > Install from storage

Android (API 24+ / Android 7+): Apps targeting API 24+ do not trust user-installed CAs by default. Options:

# Option A: Modify app's network_security_config.xml (requires APK rebuild)
# Add to res/xml/network_security_config.xml:
# <network-security-config>








openssl x509 -inform DER - burp-ca.der -out burp-ca.pem
HASH=$(openssl x509 -inform PEM -subject_hash_old - burp-ca.pem |  -1)
 burp-ca.pem 
adb push  /system/etc/security/cacerts/
adb shell  644 /system/etc/security/cacerts/.0