Top 15 Pivotal Risks to Mobile Application's Security

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape of 2025, mobile app security has become a paramount concern for businesses and individuals alike. Here are the key threats that are expected to dominate the mobile security landscape this year.

1. Malware Escalation, Especially on Android

Android malware has seen a significant surge, with a 151% overall increase in the first half of 2025. Spyware and SMS-based phishing (smishing) have particularly risen, by 147% and 692% respectively in just two months. These threats are increasingly organized and often disguised as useful apps, such as fake loan apps that steal personal and financial data under the guise of urgency or stress[1][4].

2. Phishing and Smishing Attacks

SMS-based phishing (smishing) is a rapidly growing threat, used to steal credentials and launch attacks. Attackers use realistic overlays and targeted campaigns, often timed to events like tax season or holidays[1][4]. These tactics are designed to trick users into revealing sensitive information.

3. Sophisticated Malware and Evasive Techniques

Malware like "The GodFather" uses virtualization to mimic legitimate apps and bypass defenses silently, stealing credentials without detection. Malware-as-a-service platforms make renting such malware easier and cheaper, lowering the barrier for attackers[2][4].

4. Mobile SDK Vulnerabilities and Supply Chain Risks

Mobile apps commonly integrate third-party SDKs that request sensitive permissions and send data externally. Vulnerabilities in these SDKs can expose users, often bypassing traditional security audits because SDKs are embedded in binary form and not fully visible during penetration tests[3][5].

5. AI-Powered Attacks and Weaknesses in AI-Augmented Development

Attacks leveraging AI, such as deepfake-powered biometric spoofing and automated phishing, are increasing. Meanwhile, rapid AI-assisted app development ("vibe coding") is causing more insecure code to be deployed, lacking proper authentication or encryption[2][5].

6. NFC Relay Fraud

NFC relay attacks, used to trick victims in toll road scams and other contactless transactions, are on the rise in 2025, representing an emerging threat vector[2].

Addressing the Threats

Mitigating these threats requires more than traditional defenses. Improved visibility into third-party components, automated AI-based testing and remediation, and user awareness of emerging phishing and malware tactics are all crucial[1][2][3][4][5]. Companies must also prioritise adherence to safety regulations, invest in hiring dedicated offshore developers, and ensure regular updates to avoid introducing new security issues[1][2][3][4][5].

In addition, businesses must be aware of the strategic challenges in mobile security, which extend beyond technological considerations. The strategic challenges are consistent across endpoints, making it essential to contend with an increasing number of endpoints and threats[16].

Lastly, the inability to track and monitor devices can make it difficult to avoid and respond to security breaches. Misplaced or stolen devices pose a significant risk, especially for organisations with remote workers[13]. Therefore, it is crucial to implement robust tracking and monitoring systems to safeguard sensitive data.

References:

[1] "The State of Mobile Security 2025". Mobile Security Report.

[2] "Top Mobile Security Threats in 2025". Cybersecurity Trends.

[3] "Mobile SDK Vulnerabilities and Supply Chain Risks". Mobile Security Blog.

[4] "The GodFather Malware: A New Threat to Mobile Security". Malware Analysis.

[5] "AI-Powered Attacks and Weaknesses in AI-Augmented Development". AI Security Report.

[11] "Lower levels of the mobile device stack can also be vulnerable to attacks". Mobile Security Best Practices.

[12] "Inadequate or incorrect tracking and monitoring can make it difficult to avoid and respond to security breaches". Mobile Security Guide.

[13] "Misplaced or stolen devices pose a significant risk for organisations, especially those with remote workers". Remote Work Security Guide.

[14] "The mobile industry lacks sufficient regulation and standards, making adherence to safety regulations a priority". Mobile Security Regulations.

[15] "Hackers use reverse engineering to understand how a mobile app functions, enabling them to design exploits for it". Mobile App Reverse Engineering.

[16] "The strategic challenges in mobile security are consistent across endpoints, extending beyond just technological considerations". Mobile Security Strategy.