# Q-mast – Automated Mobile App Security Testing (MAST)

Q-mast is Quokka’s automated mobile application security testing solution. It performs comprehensive analysis on iOS and Android apps—without requiring source code—to uncover real security, privacy, and compliance risks.

## Why Mobile App Security Testing Matters

Developers need a way to add security to the SDLC process without slowing down releases

Breaches often stem from predictable issues, such as coding mistakes, misconfigurations, weak crypto, and risky third-party components

Distributed development teams, including remote workers and third-party developers, leads to inconsistent security standards.

## How Q-mast Works

Q-mast performs full-spectrum testing — regardless of in-app or run-time obfuscation — to deliver comprehensive coverage across security, privacy, and compliance dimensions in minutes.

## Key Outcomes

- Analysis of compiled app binary, regardless of in-app or run-time obfuscations
- Flags security, privacy, and compliance risks
- Scans in <60 minutes, no source code needed
- <1% false results
- Reduce friction between developers and security for faster releases

[Download solution brief](/content/resources/solution-brief/q-mast-solution-brief/index.html)

## Core Capabilities

### Comprehensive Analysis

Q-mast uses different analysis types that work together, including static, dynamic, and forced-path execution, to uncover hidden risks such as supply-chain risks and embedded malicious behavior.

**Static analysis (SAST):** Detects insecure patterns, hardcoded secrets, weak crypto, and misconfigurations.

**Dynamic analysis (DAST):** Observes real behavior on non-rooted, non-jailbroken devices.

**Interactive analysis (IAST):** Links runtime execution paths to specific flows and behaviors.

**Forced-path execution (FPE):** Exercises scripted, repeatable flows—including rare edge cases.

### Binary-First Testing (No Source Code Required)

- Analyzes compiled binaries even when obfuscated
- Supports modern iOS and Android versions
- Scans protected and signed builds

### Software Supply Chain & SBOM Visibility

- Generates version-precise SBOMs
- Analyzes SDK behavior, not just CVE lookups
- Identifies vulnerable components and dependencies
- Detects risky third-party code

### Aligned with Industry Standards

- Checks against privacy & security standards from NIAP, NIST, OWASP MASVS, CVEs, and SARIF.
- Maps findings directly to relevant controls
- Helps organizations minimize compliance risks

### Integrated into Development Workflows

- CI/CD integrations with GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, and Azure DevOps.
- DevSecOps connections with Appium and Snyk.
- Workflow integrations enable security without slowing down development.

## Why Organizations Choose Q-mast

### Key Capability

| Capability                            | Q-mast                               | Other solutions                       |
|--------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Dynamic Behavior Analysis             | Full dynamic testing on real devices, non-jailbroken or rooted devices — reveals true app behavior | Partial dynamic testing, emulator-dependent |
| Pre-deployment behavior analysis      | Fully supported                     | Not supported                        |
| App Simulation                       | Simulated flows on purpose built emulators | Limited to flows observed in dynamic |
| Mobile Supply Chain Risk Assessment   | Full SBOM + SDK behavior analysis, nested dependency | CVE lookup only                     |
| AI/SDK Exposure & Data Risk Detection | Detects hidden AI/SDKs, outbound data flows, privacy violations | Static pattern-based — behaviorally active risks missed |
| Post-Deployment Risk Validation      | Continuous production app testing and monitoring with “App Watch List”— directly from app stores, no user device agents required | Requires runtime agents limited to global stores or SDK integration for production insights |
| CI/CD & DevSecOps Integration        | GitHub, API, scalable into development pipelines, GRC support | Partial support, limited flexibility |
| Audit-Ready Compliance Mapping       | OWASP MASVS, NIAP, GDPR aligned reports | Basic references only — manual audit burden |
| iOS App Support                      | Supports builds to latest OS versions | Limited to flows observed in dynamic |
| Obfuscated / protected app support    | Full (including signed iOS builds) | Limited to flows observed in dynamic |

## FAQs

**Do I need mobile app security testing if we already perform Pen Testing?**  
Pen testing simulates real-world cyberattacks to identify vulnerabilities in code, infrastructure, and logic. Automated MAST, like Q-mast, is a comprehensive approach that combines static and dynamic analysis to identify vulnerabilities early and ensure secure app releases. Combining MAST and pen testing is a strategic investment in risk mitigation and operational efficiency.

**Does Q-mast require source code, or can it scan compiled apps (binaries)?**  
Q-mast scans compiled app binary, regardless of in-app or run-time obfuscations — no source code needed.

**What security standards does Q-mast align with?**  
Q-mast checks against privacy & security standards from NIAP, NIST, OWASP MASVS, CVEs, and SARIF.