Governance Intelligence · Framework

OWASP MASVS

Mobile Application Security Verification Standard

FrameworkMobile App SecurityBanking RecommendedMASVS-L2 / L3

Enterprise mobile application security verification framework used by banks, fintechs, regulators, and mobile security teams to govern secure mobile banking applications.

120+

Controls

Across 8 categories

Security Goals

Why governance, AppSec and audit teams adopt this framework.

Data Protection

Protect customer data at rest and in transit.

Authentication

Prevent account takeover and credential reuse.

Runtime Protection

Block tampering, hooking and instrumentation.

Network Security

Eliminate MITM and weak TLS configurations.

Fraud Controls

Reduce overlay, device, and session abuse.

Control Domains

Framework Control Domains

Per-domain coverage, common failures and APK evidence — expand each for detail.

8 control domains · 73% avg coverage

Storage Security

MASVS-STORAGE

Sensitive data must be protected at rest with hardware-backed keys, not cached unnecessarily, and never logged.

Coverage74%

Checks

✓Sensitive data encrypted
✓No plaintext secrets in code
✓Secure key storage (Keystore/Keychain)
✓Backups exclude sensitive data

Common Failures

✗Hardcoded API keys / tokens
✗Insecure SharedPreferences
✗Plaintext databases
✗Sensitive data in logs

APK Finding Examples

Cleartext endpoint URL
Weak storage encryption
Token leaked to logcat

Recommended SDKs

Android KeystoreiOS KeychainPromon SHIELDAppdomeSQLCipher

View Remediation →

Cryptography

MASVS-CRYPTO

Use vetted platform crypto APIs with appropriate algorithms, modes and key lengths.

Coverage81%

Checks

✓Platform crypto APIs only
✓No custom crypto
✓Strong algorithms (AES-256, RSA-2048+)
✓Secure random number generation

Common Failures

✗DES / RC4 usage
✗ECB mode
✗Hardcoded IVs
✗Custom XOR "encryption"

APK Finding Examples

Weak cipher detected
Predictable IV
Insecure RNG

Recommended SDKs

BoringSSLTinklibsodium

View Remediation →

Authentication

MASVS-AUTH

Strong authentication, secure session management, and biometric handling aligned with platform best practices.

Coverage68%

Checks

✓Strong session management
✓Biometric handled via OS APIs
✓Token rotation
✓Step-up for high-risk actions

Common Failures

✗Tokens never expire
✗Biometric stored in app sandbox
✗PIN-only auth on payments

APK Finding Examples

Refresh token not invalidated
Session ID predictable

Recommended SDKs

Auth0OktaFIDO2AppAuthApproov

View Remediation →

Network Security

MASVS-NETWORK

All comms use TLS with pinning; cleartext is forbidden; sensitive endpoints validated.

Coverage86%

Checks

✓TLS 1.2+ enforced
✓Certificate / public key pinning
✓No cleartext traffic
✓Network security config locked

Common Failures

✗usesCleartextTraffic=true
✗Trust user CA store
✗No pinning on auth/payment APIs

APK Finding Examples

Cleartext HTTP endpoint
Pinning missing

Recommended SDKs

OkHttp pinningTrustKitApproovCloudflare mTLS

View Remediation →

Platform Interaction

MASVS-PLATFORM

Permission minimization, secure IPC, deep links validated, FLAG_SECURE on sensitive screens.

Coverage72%

Checks

✓Minimum OS version enforced
✓Permission minimization
✓FLAG_SECURE on sensitive UI
✓Deep links validated

Common Failures

✗Exported activities without checks
✗FLAG_SECURE missing on payment screen
✗Broad permissions

APK Finding Examples

FLAG_SECURE absent on transfer screen
Exported intent receiver

Recommended SDKs

Android App BundlePlay App Signing

View Remediation →

Code Quality

MASVS-CODE

Release builds hardened, debug surfaces removed, third-party SDKs inventoried.

Coverage64%

Checks

✓Release build hardening
✓Debug disabled
✓Backup disabled
✓SBOM / SDK inventory

Common Failures

✗Debuggable release
✗allowBackup=true
✗Outdated WebView / SDK

APK Finding Examples

Debug build flag
Vulnerable transitive SDK

Recommended SDKs

R8 / ProGuardSnyk SCAMend SCA

View Remediation →

Resilience

MASVS-RESILIENCE

Detection of rooted/jailbroken devices, emulators, hooking and overlay attacks.

Coverage58%

Checks

✓Root / jailbreak detection
✓Anti-emulator
✓Frida / Xposed detection
✓Overlay attack prevention
✓Anti-tampering on release

Common Failures

✗No RASP
✗Easily bypassable detection
✗No overlay protection on payment screens

APK Finding Examples

Root detection missing
Frida hook surface exposed

Recommended SDKs

Promon SHIELDAppdomeGuardsquare DexGuardTalsec

View Remediation →

Privacy

MASVS-PRIVACY

Privacy by design — consent, data minimization, third-party SDK transparency.

Coverage79%

Checks

✓Consent before tracking
✓Data minimization
✓Third-party SDK disclosure
✓Data subject rights endpoints

Common Failures

✗Analytics SDK before consent
✗PII sent to ad networks
✗Undocumented SDKs

APK Finding Examples

Analytics SDK fires pre-consent
Cross-border data transfer

Recommended SDKs

OneTrustDidomiApple ATTAndroid Privacy Sandbox

View Remediation →

Banking Implications

Why OWASP MASVS matters for Mobile Banking

Recommended posture by app type and the regulators that reference this framework.

high risk

Retail Banking Apps

Account info, transfers, balance access.

Recommended

MASVS L2

critical risk

Payments Apps

Card-on-file, UPI, instant pay, wallet.

Recommended

MASVS L2 + RASP

critical risk

High-value Transactions

Corporate, treasury, large transfer apps.

Recommended

MASVS L3

high risk

Open Banking Apps

Third-party AISP / PISP integrations.

Recommended

MASVS + PSD2 SCA

medium risk

Internal Staff Apps

Branch ops, KYC tooling, support tools.

Recommended

MASVS L1

Regulator Mapping

Where OWASP MASVS is referenced

RequiredRecommendedReferencedInformational

UAE CB

referenced

GCC

SAMA

referenced

GCC

MAS TRM

recommended

APAC

RBI

referenced

APAC

APRA CPS 234

referenced

APAC

FFIEC

referenced

Americas

PSD2 / EBA

recommended

DORA

recommended

Cross Mapping

Framework Coverage Matrix

How this framework maps across MASVS, OWASP Mobile, PCI DSS, PSD2, DORA and central-bank guidance.

CoveredPartialNot coveredN/A

Control	MASVS	OWASP Mobile	PCI DSS Mobile	PSD2	DORA	UAE CB
Authentication	●	●	●	●	◐	●
Encryption	●	●	●	●	●	●
SSL Pinning	●	●	◐	◐	◐	●
Root Detection	●	◐	○	○	◐	●
Session Security	●	●	●	●	●	●
Fraud Controls	◐	◐	◐	●	●	●
Overlay Prevention	●	◐	○	○	○	●
Device Binding	◐	○	○	●	◐	●

Live APK Governance

How MobAIsec evaluates OWASP MASVS

Sample governance report from a recent assessment — coverage, gaps and top violations.

Live preview

Critical gaps3

High gaps5

Medium gaps8

Coverage heatmap

STORAGE

74%

CRYPTO

81%

AUTH

68%

NETWORK

86%

PLATFORM

72%

CODE

64%

RESILIENCE

58%

PRIVACY

79%

Top Violations

Run on your APK →

SSL pinning missing on auth API
MASVS-NETWORK
critical
FLAG_SECURE absent on transfer screen
MASVS-PLATFORM
critical
Root detection missing
MASVS-RESILIENCE
critical
Refresh token never expires
MASVS-AUTH
high
Cleartext analytics endpoint
MASVS-NETWORK
high

Upload your APK to receive a OWASP MASVS assessment

Get coverage score, missing controls, severity-weighted gaps and a board-ready PDF.

Upload APK for OWASP MASVS Assessment →

Threat Intelligence

Threats this framework defends against

Curated mobile attack patterns aligned to the controls above.

All threat intel →

Threat

Root / Jailbreak detection

Prevent rooted-device fraud and runtime privilege abuse.

Read intel →

Threat

SSL pinning bypass

Detect and resist Frida / proxy interception of TLS.

Read intel →

Threat

Overlay attacks

Block credential and OTP theft from malicious overlays.

Read intel →

Threat

Runtime tampering

Detect APK repackaging, dynamic patching and hooking.

Read intel →

Threat

Frida detection

Prevent instrumentation-based runtime manipulation.

Read intel →

Country Mandates

Mandates using OWASP MASVS

Country regulators that reference this framework — usage confidence and mapped control count.

Browse all jurisdictions →

UAE

CBUAE

38 controls

Usage confidence92%

View country requirements →

Singapore

MAS

42 controls

Usage confidence96%

View country requirements →

India

RBI

34 controls

Usage confidence88%

View country requirements →

European Union

EBA / PSD2

46 controls

Usage confidence94%

View country requirements →

United Kingdom

FCA / PRA

36 controls

Usage confidence89%

View country requirements →

Saudi Arabia

SAMA

32 controls

Usage confidence86%

View country requirements →

Trust & Adoption

Used across banking security programs

Mobile banking security teams use this framework to establish secure release gates and runtime baselines.

UAE Banking

Tier-1 retail banks use MASVS for CBUAE alignment.

EU PSD2

MASVS controls referenced in PSD2 SCA implementations.

MAS Singapore

MAS TRM mobile guidance aligns to MASVS categories.

RBI India

RBI mobile banking guidelines map to MASVS-AUTH, NETWORK.

PCI Programs

Mobile payment apps use MASVS to scope SAQ-AEP / PA-DSS uplift.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

For BFSI CISOs, AppSec, audit and governance teams.

What MASVS level should banks target?

Retail banking apps should target MASVS L2 minimum. High-value transaction, treasury, and instant-payment apps should achieve L3 with full runtime protection (RASP).

What is the difference between MASVS L2 and L3?

L2 covers standard mobile app security verification (storage, crypto, auth, network, platform, code). L3 adds resilience requirements — anti-tampering, anti-debugging, anti-instrumentation, and runtime protection — designed to resist active attackers.

Does the UAE Central Bank mandate MASVS?

CBUAE supervisory guidance references mobile banking security controls aligned with MASVS categories. While not explicitly mandated by name, MASVS is the de-facto evidence framework used by UAE banks for audits.

How is MASVS different from OWASP Mobile Top 10?

MASVS defines verification requirements (what to check). OWASP Mobile Top 10 defines the most critical risks (what attackers exploit). Together they form a complete mobile security program — MASVS for governance, Top 10 for prioritization.

How does MobAIsec validate MASVS?

MobAIsec performs static, dynamic, and runtime analysis of the APK, mapping each finding to a MASVS control. Output includes per-domain coverage scores, severity-weighted gaps, and remediation playbooks linked to evidence.

Can MASVS be automated in CI/CD?

Yes. MobAIsec exposes governance scans via API and CLI — every release artifact is scored against MASVS L1/L2/L3, and gating policies block merges that breach defined thresholds.

How does MASVS help in regulatory audits?

MASVS provides a structured, internationally recognized control taxonomy. Audit reports map evidence to MASVS categories, making findings defensible across regulators (CBUAE, MAS, RBI, EBA, FFIEC).

Start now

Ready to assess your APK against OWASP MASVS?

Upload your Android banking app and receive a complete enterprise governance assessment in minutes.

✓Framework coverage score
✓Missing controls list
✓Fraud readiness signal
✓Executive PDF report
✓Banking mandate mapping
✓Remediation guidance

Start Free APK Assessment Talk to Security Expert