Android and iOS

API function authorization and mobile roles

TLS, authorization, request integrity, caching and network failures.

Network and API protection1 min readEditorial methods

A hidden administration button does not protect the administration endpoint. Enforce function-level permissions in the API.

Evaluation approach

Map roles, operations and exceptions explicitly. New endpoints should not inherit broad privileges by default.

Application example

Reading a support record and issuing a refund require different rights. Test different decisions within the same session.

Limits and considerations

Obfuscating endpoint addresses does not make secrecy a valid access policy.

Adding a role safely

Do not fill missing entries with broad permissions. Define allowed and denied examples for every function and verify that a new role does not alter existing users' rights.

Checks and decisions

  • Write the role matrix
  • Use narrow defaults
  • Review new endpoints

Sources

The primary references above provide the technical basis. Example workflows and evaluation suggestions are this publication’s explanations, not independent test results for a particular product.