Securing Patient Data Case Study
Client Overview
● Company: Confidential (One of India’s Largest Multi-Specialty Hospital Chains)
● Industry: Healthcare & Patient Care
● Size: 15,000+ Employees, 40+ Hospitals Nationwide
● Operations: Pan-India with digital healthcare services
● Industry: Healthcare & Patient Care
● Size: 15,000+ Employees, 40+ Hospitals Nationwide
● Operations: Pan-India with digital healthcare services
Business Challenge
The hospital chain had launched a mobile application to provide patients with access to their medical records, appointment booking, teleconsultations, and diagnostic reports.
With the growing adoption of mobile healthcare apps and the sensitivity of Protected Health Information (PHI), the leadership recognized the urgent need to ensure the security of patient data.
With the growing adoption of mobile healthcare apps and the sensitivity of Protected Health Information (PHI), the leadership recognized the urgent need to ensure the security of patient data.
Key concerns included:
● Unauthorized access to patient medical records
● Compliance risks under Indian health data protection laws and expectations
● Maintaining patient trust in digital healthcare services
● Avoiding reputational, financial, and regulatory consequences of a breach
● Compliance risks under Indian health data protection laws and expectations
● Maintaining patient trust in digital healthcare services
● Avoiding reputational, financial, and regulatory consequences of a breach
Why Secure Minds
The hospital engaged Secure Minds because of:
● Specialist expertise in Mobile Application Security Testing for healthcare environments
● Availability of highly experienced testing resources the assessment was led by a bug bounty hunter with 750+ mobile applications tested to date
● End-to-end testing coverage across both Android and iOS platforms
● Rapid remediation support with compliance-focused reporting tailored to healthcare regulations
● Availability of highly experienced testing resources the assessment was led by a bug bounty hunter with 750+ mobile applications tested to date
● End-to-end testing coverage across both Android and iOS platforms
● Rapid remediation support with compliance-focused reporting tailored to healthcare regulations
Approach & Methodology
Secure Minds executed a focused Mobile Application Penetration Test (MAPT) over a 3-week engagement covering both Android and iOS:
Reconnaissance & Setup
1) Collected APK/IPA binaries and configured instrumented devices/emulators. 2) Reviewed app flows, API endpoints, and authentication logic
Static & Dynamic Analysis
1) Static review of code for insecure practices, hardcoded secrets, and third-party library risks. 2) Dynamic runtime testing for API interception, cryptographic misuse, and data handling gaps
API & Backend Testing
1) Assessed REST/GraphQL endpoints for improper access control and broken object references. 2) Validated input handling against injection and manipulation attacks.
Exploitation & Proofs-of-Concept (PoCs)
1) Demonstrated unauthorized retrieval of patient records through API manipulation. 2) Validated flaws across both Android and iOS builds to confirm platform-wide risk
Risk Reporting & Remediation Support
1) Delivered prioritized CVSS-based findings with developer-ready remediation steps 2) Provided compliance mapping aligned with India’s Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDP), 2023 and international healthcare data protection expectations. Conducted a targeted re-test post-remediation
Key Findings
● Critical: Unauthorized access to patient records API endpoints allowed data retrieval without proper authorization (validated on both Android & iOS). This was a significant wake-up call for hospital leadership.
● Weak authentication & session handling Token reuse and improper invalidation enabled persistent access.
● Insecure local storage & logging PHI persisted in plaintext in device storage and logs.
● API input validation flaws Risk of injection and unvalidated input leading to data exposure.
● Weak authentication & session handling Token reuse and improper invalidation enabled persistent access.
● Insecure local storage & logging PHI persisted in plaintext in device storage and logs.
● API input validation flaws Risk of injection and unvalidated input leading to data exposure.
Remediation & Outcome
Key Results
● Critical Vulnerabilities Fixed : 100% of critical issues resolved within 10 days
● Patient Data Exposure Risk Eliminated unauthorized access to patient records
● Platform Coverage Issues validated and fixed on Android & iOS
● Compliance & Trust Strengthened DPDP 2023 alignment; improved patient trust
● Patient Data Exposure Risk Eliminated unauthorized access to patient records
● Platform Coverage Issues validated and fixed on Android & iOS
● Compliance & Trust Strengthened DPDP 2023 alignment; improved patient trust
Client Testimonial
“The findings were an eye-opener. The tester’s deep mobile experience and practical PoCs helped us act immediately. Secure Minds worked hand-in-hand with our engineers to close the critical gaps today. Our patients can trust the app to keep their records safe.”
— CIO, Leading Hospital Chain (Name Withheld for Confidentiality)
Conclusion:
This engagement transformed a critical risk exposure into a success story of rapid remediation and stronger security controls. By leveraging an experienced mobile security expert, testing across both Android and iOS, and aligning with data protection obligations, Secure Minds helped the hospital eliminate a critical PHI exposure, strengthen compliance, and restore patient trust in their digital healthcare platform.
About Secure Minds
Secure Minds is India’s trusted cybersecurity advisory firm providing advanced security assessments, mobile application testing, VAPT, phishing simulations, and compliance-aligned remediation support.
Website: www.secureminds.pro
Email: contact@secureminds.pro
Website: www.secureminds.pro
Email: contact@secureminds.pro
