Research & Threat Intel
Mobile apps collect more data than most users expect. Developers race to personalize experiences, train AI models and optimize revenue. That pressure pushes many apps to grab as much behavioral data as possible. During a recent NowSecure investigation, we analyzed the AI-powered Phia iOS shopping app and discovered how quickly helpful features can turn into […]
The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) into mobile applications has transformed how users interact with their devices. From personal assistants to image recognition, AI and large language model (LLM) capabilities now sit in the palms of our hands. However, this convenience comes with serious security, privacy and safety implications that […]
Business logic testing examines the rules and workflows that dictate who can do what, when and how within a mobile app. These tests go beyond technical vulnerabilities to uncover weaknesses in how the app enforces permissions, processes transactions and validates inputs. When business logic vulnerabilities slip through, attackers can exploit these flaws to bypass payments, […]
Last month, NowSecure launched NowSecure Privacy, the first automated solution for finding and fixing the systemic blind spots that degrade mobile application privacy. And today, we released NowSecure Mobile Application Risk Checker (MARC), the first and only free public risk checker for mobile applications. The free, educational MARC tool builds mobile security awareness by helping […]
Executive Summary Last week, we reported on a near-miss incident involving npm software supply-chain attacks impacting mobile applications. Unfortunately, a new wave of NPM supply chain compromises has been discovered affecting 187 packages including critical frameworks used in mobile app development. The good news? Our ongoing analysis of public mobile apps from the Google Play […]
Today, security researchers revealed details of a massive supply-chain attack affecting some of the most popular NPM packages in the JavaScript ecosystem. The attack, which compromised packages including chalk, debug, ansi-styles and others with a combined 2+ billion weekly downloads, represents one of the most significant supply-chain incidents in recent memory. This is a big […]
We’re in an era where parents like me have grown up with smartphones. My parents, as much as I loved them, were what we would refer to as ‘technologically challenged’. I often had to help them navigate the digital world, teaching them how to spot phishing emails or PayPal scams. Now, as a parent myself, […]
Introduction Update (2025): The security issues identified in the XTool AnyScan mobile application have now been assigned official CVEs: CVE-2025-63432, CVE-2025-63433, CVE-2025-63434, and CVE-2025-63435. These CVEs formalize and validate the vulnerabilities discovered by the NowSecure research team, underscoring the seriousness of the remote code execution (RCE) risks posed to mobile devices and connected vehicles. NowSecure […]
iVerify recently published a detailed technical analysis uncovering a new iMessage vulnerability — dubbed “NICKNAME” — that could be used in a zero-click attack to compromise iOS devices. The exploit abuses the way iOS handles iMessage contact profile updates (nicknames) to trigger memory corruption and potentially deliver spyware without any user interaction. What We Know […]
App Store and Google Play visitors find it hard to escape Artificial Intelligence (AI). From photo enhancement apps to voice assistants to health diagnostics, AI commands an undeniable presence in mobile apps. In fact, 10 out of 12 top graphic design apps use AI — it’s everywhere. As AI permeates mobile apps, it introduces a […]