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Application Developer Guidance

This mitigation describes any guidance or training given to developers of applications to avoid introducing security weaknesses that an adversary may be able to take advantage of.

ID: M1013
Version: 1.0
Created: 25 October 2017
Last Modified: 17 October 2018
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Enterprise Layer
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Mobile Layer
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Techniques Addressed by Mitigation

Domain ID Name Use
Enterprise T1564 .009 Hide Artifacts: Resource Forking

Configure applications to use the application bundle structure which leverages the /Resources folder location.[1]

Enterprise T1574 Hijack Execution Flow

When possible, include hash values in manifest files to help prevent side-loading of malicious libraries.[2]
.002 DLL Side-Loading

When possible, include hash values in manifest files to help prevent side-loading of malicious libraries.[2]
Enterprise T1559 Inter-Process Communication

Enable the Hardened Runtime capability when developing applications. Do not include the com.apple.security.get-task-allow entitlement with the value set to any variation of true.

.003 XPC Services

Enable the Hardened Runtime capability when developing applications. Do not include the com.apple.security.get-task-allow entitlement with the value set to any variation of true.

Enterprise T1647 Plist File Modification

Ensure applications are using Apple's developer guidance which enables hardened runtime.[3]
Enterprise T1593 Search Open Websites/Domains

Application developers uploading to public code repositories should be careful to avoid publishing sensitive information such as credentials and API keys.
.003 Code Repositories

Application developers uploading to public code repositories should be careful to avoid publishing sensitive information such as credentials and API keys.
Enterprise T1078 Valid Accounts

Ensure that applications do not store sensitive data or credentials insecurely. (e.g. plaintext credentials in code, published credentials in repositories, or credentials in public cloud storage).
Mobile T1626 Abuse Elevation Control Mechanism

Applications very rarely require administrator permission. Developers should be cautioned against using this higher degree of access to avoid being flagged as a potentially malicious application.

Mobile T1517 Access Notifications

Application developers could be encouraged to avoid placing sensitive data in notification text.
Mobile T1513 Screen Capture

Application developers can apply the FLAG_SECURE property to sensitive screens within their apps to make it more difficult for the screen contents to be captured.[4]

Mobile T1635 Steal Application Access Token

Developers should use Android App Links[5] and iOS Universal Links[6] to provide a secure binding between URIs and applications, preventing malicious applications from intercepting redirections. Additionally, for OAuth use cases, PKCE[7] should be used to prevent use of stolen authorization codes.

.001 URI Hijacking

Developers should use Android App Links[5] and iOS Universal Links[6] to provide a secure binding between URIs and applications, preventing malicious applications from intercepting redirections. Additionally, for OAuth use cases, PKCE[7] should be used to prevent use of stolen authorization codes.

Mobile T1474 Supply Chain Compromise

Application developers should be cautious when selecting third-party libraries to integrate into their application.
.001 Compromise Software Dependencies and Development Tools

Application developers should be cautious when selecting third-party libraries to integrate into their application.

References

  1. Apple Inc. (2021, February 18). App security overview. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  2. Amanda Steward. (2014). FireEye DLL Side-Loading: A Thorn in the Side of the Anti-Virus Industry. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  3. Apple Inc.. (2021, January 1). Hardened Runtime: Manage security protections and resource access for your macOS apps.. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  4. Nightwatch Cybersecurity. (2016, April 13). Research: Securing Android Applications from Screen Capture (FLAG_SECURE). Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  1. Google. (n.d.). Verify Android App Links. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  2. Apple. (n.d.). Universal Links for Developers. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  3. N. Sakimura, J. Bradley, and N. Agarwal. (2015, September). IETF RFC 7636: Proof Key for Code Exchange by OAuth Public Clients. Retrieved December 21, 2016.