• Platform: iOS
• Weakness: MASWE-0045
• Weakness in the numbering of the MASWE beta: MASWE-0116
• Profiles: L2 (advanced security)
• Type: static, code
• Knowledge: MASTG-KNOW-0061

Overview

[PIE (Position Independent Executables)](../../../Document/0x04h-Testing-Code-Quality.md#position-independent-code) are designed to enhance security by allowing executables to be loaded at random memory addresses, mitigating certain types of attacks.

In the context Mach-O file format of iOS applications:

• PIE is applicable to executables with the MH_EXECUTE file type, which essentially means the main app binary (e.g. YourApp.app/YourApp).
• Shared libraries with the MH_DYLIB file type (dylibs and frameworks) are inherently position-independent and do not utilize the MH_PIE flag.

This test case checks if the main executable is compiled with PIE.

Steps

1. Use MASTG-TECH-0058 to extract the relevant binaries from app package.
2. Use MASTG-TECH-0118 on the main binary and grep for "pic" or the corresponding keyword used by the selected tool.

Observation

The output should list if PIC is enabled or disabled.

Evaluation

The test case fails if PIC is disabled.

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