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Application Security Assessments

Thick Client Security Evaluation

Reverse-engineering, tamper-resistance and secure update checks for desktop and heavy-client apps.

Get a Desktop App Audit

Overview

Thick client applications (Electron, native desktop apps, heavy clients) often include local logic, secret storage and update mechanisms — all of which can be attacked if not designed securely. We test binaries, IPC, update flows, licensing schemes and integration with backend services.

Why companies need thick-client evaluation

Desktop apps are frequently reverse-engineered to bypass licensing, extract secret keys or pivot to backend systems. Evaluating thick-client security reduces the risk of piracy, fraud, and backend compromise.

Who should get this

Companies shipping desktop tools, enterprise clients, Electron-based cross-platform apps, or products with sensitive local data or licensing constraints.

Key benefits

Identify secrets embedded in binaries and unsafe local storage

Detect insecure IPC that leaks data to other processes

Check update mechanisms for tamper and supply-chain risks

Provide hardening guidance to resist reverse-engineering

Scope — What we test

Binary analysis, code signing & verification, insecure storage, insecure IPC/localhost APIs, update and distribution channels, dependency/supply-chain checks, and backend integration points.

Methodology

  1. Collect binaries and environment setup
  2. Static binary analysis and dependency review
  3. Dynamic runtime testing including tamper attempts
  4. Reverse-engineer critical modules and inspect keys
  5. Report with PoC, mitigations and hardening steps

Deliverables

Findings with exploit POCs, recommended binary-hardening steps (obfuscation guidance, secure storage patterns), update verification checks, and prioritized remediation.

Timeline & pricing guide

Typical engagements range 5–15 days depending on platform complexity and number of binaries. Pricing depends on required depth (light review vs deep reverse-engineering).

Example (anonymized)

We discovered an insecure update channel that allowed a man-in-the-middle to serve unsigned updates. Fixes included code signing enforcement and server-side checks plus distribution pipeline hardening.

Frequently asked questions

Common questions we hear before starting an assessment — click a question to reveal a short, clear answer.

Small apps: 1–5 days. Medium: 5–10 days. Complex systems: custom timeline.

We avoid destructive checks in production and schedule high-risk tests in staging when possible.

No — blackbox tests work. Source access enables deeper code review.

Yes — PoCs, prioritized fixes and developer-focused guidance are included.

Yes — retest packages validate fixes.

Executive summary, prioritized findings, PoCs and workshop walkthroughs.

Yes — mutual NDAs and secure report distribution are standard.

Windows, macOS, Linux and cross-platform frameworks like Electron and .NET.

Yes — we look for bypassable licensing and recommend robust implementation patterns.

We follow strict NDAs and treat all code and findings as highly confidential.

Tools & integrations
Tools & backlinks that may be used for this assessment
Burp SuiteOWASP ZAPAcunetixNetsparkerPostmanInsomniaSoapUISonarQubeSnykGhidraMobSFFridaIDA ProBinary NinjaNmapOSS-Fuzz