Evaluation of computer vulnerabilities in QR codes of the “Wallink” mobile banking application
Abstract
The growth of financial banking in Ecuador has been evidenced by the digitalization of its services, which brings with it new cybersecurity challenges. Mobile banking applications use various authentication methods, such as QR codes, which may present vulnerabilities that must be discovered to avoid being exploited by cybercriminals. This research aimed to evaluate the security of QR codes in the mobile banking application “Wallink” by applying the security testing methodology of the National Institute of Standards and Technology's SP 800-115 standard. A total of 672 QR codes were generated over six days for decoding, pattern and encryption analysis, as well as static and dynamic analysis of the application. The results revealed a constant prefix “PHIQR” followed by 48 characters, which could represent an initial entropy reduction vulnerability. A 95.17% probability that the codes use polyalphabetic substitution was determined. The static analysis obtained a medium risk score (46/100), identifying vulnerabilities such as the “Janus exploit” and permissions considered excessive. The dynamic analysis showed an adequate configuration of TLS/SSL protocols, but inappropriate storage practices. These findings allowed the risk level to be measured at 2.83/5, determining a medium risk for the use of QR codes. The risk assessment underscores the importance of strengthening security through more robust encryption algorithms and better secure development practices.
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References
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