Android

Trust boundaries in Android data parsing

Intents, storage, permissions, WebView and inter-app communication.

Android components1 min readEditorial methods

Turning files, Intents or network data into application objects creates an attack surface. Constrain input before it reaches the parser.

Evaluation approach

Define schemas, sizes and field types. Avoid flexible object-creation mechanisms for untrusted content.

Application example

An imported settings file should alter only supported preferences. Unknown fields must not silently change privileges or endpoints.

Limits and considerations

Obfuscation does not fix unsafe parsing. The remedy is a sound input contract and parser design.

Failure behavior is part of the contract

Parsing failure must not create a privileged default object. Distinguish missing fields, incorrect types and unsupported versions. Explain failures without disclosing internal class names, raw secrets or configuration.

Checks and decisions

  • Constrain schemas
  • Limit sizes
  • Test malformed input

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.