MobSF - All in One Mobile Security Testing Framework
MobSF is designed to simplify and automate the complex process of mobile application security testing. Its main goal is to make vulnerability detection accessible to both developers and security professionals.
Powerful Security Features
Comprehensive mobile security testing tools for identifying vulnerabilities and ensuring robust application security
Static Analysis
Examines source code and binaries to identify security flaws, misconfigurations, and potential vulnerabilities before execution.
API Security Testing
Scans mobile app APIs to detect insecure endpoints, weak authentication, and potential data exposure vulnerabilities automatically.
Dynamic Analysis
Executes the app in a controlled sandbox environment to monitor runtime behavior, data flow, and API interactions.
Malware Analysis
Detects malicious code patterns, suspicious permissions, and hidden behaviors that may compromise device or user security.
Cross-Platform Support
Supports Android, iOS, and Windows mobile applications, offering unified security analysis across multiple operating systems seamlessly.
Comprehensive Reporting
Generates detailed vulnerability reports, including risk levels, remediation guidance, and visual summaries for developer understanding.
About MobSF
Mobile Security Framework (MobSF) is an intelligent, all-in-one open source mobile application (Android/iOS/Windows) automated pen-testing framework capable of performing static and dynamic analysis.
MobSF support mobile app binaries (APK, XAPK, IPA & APPX) along with zipped source code and provides REST APIs for seamless integration with your CI/CD or DevSecOps pipeline. The Dynamic Analyzer helps you to perform runtime security assessment and interactive instrumented testing.
Supported Platforms
Android
Full support with automated testing
iOS
Full support with automated testing
Windows
Full support with automated testing
How MobSF Works
The Mobile Security Framework (MobSF) automates the process of analyzing mobile applications to identify potential security vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Whether it’s an Android (APK/AAB), iOS (IPA), or Windows (APPX) app, MobSF provides both static and dynamic testing methods to ensure complete security coverage.
Upload the App (APK / IPA / APPX)
You begin by uploading your mobile application file to MobSF’s web interface or through its API.
- MobSF accepts Android, iOS, and Windows app packages.
- Once uploaded, it automatically extracts the app’s contents for inspection including code, permissions, and resources.
- The uploaded app is temporarily stored in MobSF’s workspace for analysis.
Choose Static or Dynamic Analysis
MobSF offers two major modes of analysis:
- Static Analysis: Examines the app’s code and resources without executing it. It checks for insecure coding patterns, permissions, exposed secrets, and hardcoded credentials.
- Dynamic Analysis: Runs the app in a controlled, sandboxed environment (usually using an emulator or virtual machine). It observes real-time behavior such as network requests, data storage, API calls, and runtime permissions.
MobSF Performs Automated Testing
Once the analysis mode is chosen, MobSF starts scanning automatically.
- It decompiles the app (for static analysis) or launches it in a virtual environment (for dynamic analysis).
- The tool then uses pre-defined security rules and patterns to detect vulnerabilities.
- Common issues identified include insecure data storage, weak encryption, exposed API keys, insecure network communications, and code obfuscation weaknesses.
Review the Detailed Security Report
After the scan is complete, MobSF generates a comprehensive report summarizing all findings.
- The report includes vulnerability severity levels (High, Medium, Low).
- It provides detailed descriptions, affected files or functions, and remediation suggestions.
- You can export the report in HTML, PDF, or JSON format for documentation or CI/CD integration.
This report is crucial for understanding the app’s overall security posture.
Installation & Setup
Setting up MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) is simple and can be done on Windows, Linux, or macOS. It can be installed either manually from GitHub or by using Docker, depending on your preference.
Supported Operating Systems
- Windows 10 or later
- Linux (Ubuntu/Debian recommended)
- macOS (Intel or Apple Silicon)
Recommended Hardware
- Minimum 8 GB RAM
- At least 20 GB free disk space
- Stable internet connection
Core Requirements
- Python 3.8 or higher
- Java JDK 8 or newer
- Git (for cloning the repository)
- Node.js & npm (for certain analysis features)
- Docker (optional, if using the Docker setup)
Manual Installation
Clone the Repository
git clone https://github.com/MobSF/Mobile-Security-Framework-MobSF.git
cd Mobile-Security-Framework-MobSF
Create Virtual Environment
python -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
venv\Scripts\activate
Run Database Migrations
python manage.py makemigrations
python manage.py migrate
Start MobSF Server
python manage.py runserver
Advantages of Using MobSF
Open-source and free
MobSF is completely open-source, which means it’s available for everyone to use, modify, and improve without any licensing cost. This makes it an excellent choice for developers, security researchers, and organizations that want a cost-effective mobile security testing solution. The open-source nature also ensures transparency, allowing users to verify how the tool works and contribute new features or bug fixes to the project.
Fast and automated security analysis
Unlike traditional manual penetration testing, MobSF provides automated vulnerability detection for Android, iOS, and Windows apps. It quickly scans the uploaded files and identifies potential security flaws such as insecure permissions, data leaks, hardcoded credentials, and more. This automation makes the process faster, more consistent, and less prone to human error, saving valuable time for security teams.
Supports CI/CD pipeline integration
MobSF can be integrated into Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines, allowing security testing to run automatically during the app development process. This ensures that security checks happen continuously not just at the end of development helping developers detect and fix vulnerabilities early. Integration with tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, or GitLab CI makes MobSF an essential part of a DevSecOps workflow.
Saves manual testing time
Manual code review and testing for vulnerabilities can take hours or even days. MobSF automates much of this process, providing instant analysis results within minutes. This helps developers focus more on fixing issues rather than spending time identifying them. The automation significantly boosts productivity and reduces overall testing effort.
Regular updates and active community
MobSF is actively maintained by a strong developer community that continuously improves the tool, adds new features, and updates vulnerability databases. Regular updates ensure that MobSF stays aligned with the latest mobile security standards and can detect emerging threats effectively. The community also provides support through forums, GitHub discussions, and documentation, making it easier for users to troubleshoot and learn.
FAQ's
What is MobSF?
MobSF (Mobile Security Framework) is an open-source, all-in-one automated mobile app security testing tool for Android, iOS, and Windows. It performs both static and dynamic analysis to identify security vulnerabilities.
What does MobSF stand for?
MobSF stands for Mobile Security Framework, a comprehensive platform for analyzing mobile applications for security flaws.
What types of analysis does MobSF support?
MobSF supports static analysis, dynamic analysis, and API security testing to evaluate mobile apps for security weaknesses.
Which platforms are supported by MobSF?
MobSF supports Android (APK, AAB), iOS (IPA), and Windows (APPX/XAP) application packages.
Is MobSF free to use?
Yes, MobSF is completely open-source and free. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL v3).
Does MobSF work offline?
Yes, MobSF can operate completely offline, making it ideal for secure environments or isolated networks.
Can I use MobSF for both static and dynamic analysis?
Absolutely. MobSF provides tools for both static (code-level) and dynamic (runtime) security testing.
How does static analysis work in MobSF?
Static analysis examines the app’s code and binaries without executing it, identifying vulnerabilities like hardcoded credentials, insecure permissions, and data leaks.
How does dynamic analysis work in MobSF?
Dynamic analysis tests the app while it’s running in a sandboxed environment to monitor real-time behavior, network activity, and potential malicious actions.
Does MobSF provide reports after analysis?
Yes, MobSF generates detailed and interactive HTML or PDF reports showing vulnerabilities, severity levels, and recommended fixes.
How can I install MobSF?
MobSF can be installed via GitHub repository or Docker. It requires Python 3, Node.js, and some additional dependencies.
What are the system requirements for MobSF?
MobSF runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. You need at least 4–8 GB RAM, multi-core CPU, and ample disk space for analysis files.
Can MobSF analyze obfuscated or encrypted apps?
Yes, MobSF can partially analyze obfuscated apps, though the depth of analysis may be limited due to code protection techniques.
Can I integrate MobSF into CI/CD pipelines?
Yes, MobSF offers a REST API that allows integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins, GitHub Actions, and GitLab CI for automated testing.
Does MobSF detect malware?
Yes, MobSF includes malware detection capabilities, flagging suspicious code patterns, behaviors, and permissions.
Can MobSF test APIs used by mobile apps?
Yes, MobSF can perform API security testing to identify insecure endpoints, authentication flaws, and data exposure.
Does MobSF support automated scanning?
Yes, you can automate MobSF scans via its REST API, making it suitable for continuous security testing environments.
Is MobSF suitable for beginners?
Yes, MobSF provides a user-friendly web interface, but interpreting advanced vulnerability results may require some security knowledge.
How often is MobSF updated?
MobSF is actively maintained, with frequent updates and community contributions available on its official GitHub repository.
What are some alternatives to MobSF?
Popular alternatives include QARK, Drozer, AppScan, and Veracode Mobile Security, though MobSF remains a top open-source choice.