Electron Application Penetration Testing
An Electron app is a browser with the safety rails removed and your filesystem behind it. We test the boundary between the web content and the operating system. CREST-certified testers, fixed price from £2,980, scoped in 24 hours.
- Unlimited retesting
- No rescheduling or cancellation fees
- Fixed quote within 24 hours
“I would highly recommend EJN Labs to any organisation seeking reliable, detailed, and well-managed penetration testing services, particularly for government or enterprise-level projects.”
Imran SaghirProject Lead, SquareOne“There wasn’t another company we could find that could deliver what we needed in the timeframe we needed. The client loved it, and we got instant ROI from the engagement.”
Dan WilcocksonCo-Founder, CelloriThe security model rests on two settings and one file: node integration, context isolation and the preload script. Where those are configured loosely, any injected script in the renderer inherits the ability to read files, spawn processes and reach the network as the user.
In a browser it is cross-site scripting. In Electron it is code execution.
The preload bridge is the interesting part even when the settings are right. It exposes a deliberate set of functions to the web content, and each one is an API with an implicit trust boundary. We review what is exposed and try to abuse it.
Then the desktop concerns: how the app updates and whether that channel is signed, what is packaged inside the installer, what the app writes to disk, and which protocol handlers it registers with the operating system.
ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS and Cyber Essentials Plus audits accept manual penetration test evidence. Scan-only evidence is generally insufficient.
ELECTRON SPECIFICS
What We Actually Test in an Electron Application
Ten areas that apply because the desktop app is Electron, on top of the standard thick client checks. Every finding is verified, reproducible and mapped to OWASP, CWE and CVSS 3.1.
Node integration and isolation
Node integration, context isolation and sandbox settings per window, including windows opened at runtime.
Preload bridge
Functions exposed to the renderer, argument validation, and what an injected script can do with them.
Renderer injection paths
Content loaded from remote origins, embedded browsers, markdown and HTML rendering in the app.
Protocol and deep link handlers
Custom protocol handlers registered with the operating system and what another application can send them.
Auto-update integrity
Update channel, signature verification, downgrade protection and what a hostile network can substitute.
Packaged contents
What is inside the archive, including source, keys, tokens and debug material.
Local storage and data at rest
Configuration, tokens and cached data written to disk, and the permissions on them.
Interprocess communication
Channels between main and renderer processes, message validation, and what a compromised renderer can request.
Framework and Chromium version
The Electron and Chromium versions shipped, and the known issues that travel with them.
Backend API
Every endpoint the app calls, tested against each role for object level authorisation.
METHODOLOGY
What a Electron finding looks like
Written the way a finding appears in our reports. The example below is reconstructed from publicly documented research, with hosts, paths and identifiers redacted. We do not republish client findings, named or anonymised.
Renderer with Node integration turns a cross-site scripting bug into code execution on the desktop
- Affected
- The chat panel in the desktop build of [redacted], packaged with Electron and distributed to staff laptops.
- What we found
- The window was created with Node integration enabled and context isolation disabled, and the panel rendered message content as HTML. A message containing a script tag called a Node child process function and ran a command on the recipient machine.
- Why it matters
- Sending a message executes code on the recipient laptop with their user rights. No download, no attachment, no prompt, and nothing for the endpoint agent to quarantine.
- Fix
- Disable Node integration, enable context isolation and the sandbox, expose only the specific functions you need through a preload bridge, and set a content security policy on the renderer.
Reconstructed from public research: the Electron security documentation, which lists disabling Node integration and enabling context isolation for any window that renders remote or user supplied content.
Electron App Penetration Testing: From Scope to Attestation
CREST-aligned methodology built on OWASP Web Security Testing Guide, OWASP ASVS, NIST SP 800-115, and PTES. Each finding maps to all four standards plus your specific compliance regime.
Reconnaissance
Application mapping, technology fingerprinting, content discovery, parameter enumeration, authentication-flow analysis, role-matrix construction.
Vulnerability Assessment
Authenticated and unauthenticated automated scanning across every user role, plus targeted manual checks for known weakness patterns.
Manual Exploitation
Hands-on testing by a CREST-certified pentester. Business-logic exploitation, chained vulnerabilities, privilege escalation, impact validation.
Reporting + Retest
Executive summary, technical report with CVSS scores and reproduction steps, walkthrough call, free retest after remediation, attestation letter.
CREDENTIALS
Verified Accreditations Auditors Accept
Every credential below is independently verifiable. UK procurement teams, FCA supervisors, ISO 27001 / SOC 2 auditors, and cyber insurance underwriters all recognise these standards.
GET YOUR QUOTE
Get a CREST Electron App assessment pen test quote in 24 hours
A fixed-price quote back in one business day, from a named CREST assessor. No sales pipeline, no chasing.
- CREST and IASME accredited. Testing your auditors and clients already recognise.
- Fast-track testing within 24 hours where required. Free retest of every fix included.
- Live findings via your client portal, not a four-week PDF.
- Fixed price from £2,980 for a small, single-scope engagement, agreed up front. Most engagements run £4,520 and up. No day-rate surprises.
Dan WilcocksonCo-Founder, CelloriUnder NDA Further named references available on a scoping call.
- We reply within one business day with a fixed-price quote from a named CREST assessor.
- You approve the scope and we book a start date, usually within 24 hours.
- Live findings land in your client portal as we test, with a free retest of every fix.
Get your fixed pen test quote in 24 hours
Quote request received
We will reply within one business day with your fixed-price quote from a named CREST assessor.
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COMPLIANCE READY
Reports Mapped to Every Framework
Findings are explicitly tagged to the relevant control reference. Your audit team submits the report directly without translation work.
ISO 27001:2022
Annex A.8.8 management of technical vulnerabilities plus A.5.15-5.18 and A.8.2-8.5 access control validation.
SOC 2 Type I & II
CC6 logical access, CC7 system operations, CC8 change management evidence.
PCI DSS
Requirement 11.4 application penetration testing across cardholder data environments, including ecommerce penetration testing for online retail platforms.
FCA SYSC
SYSC 4.1.1R, 6.1.1R, 13 mapped to each finding for FCA-regulated firms.
UK GDPR
Article 32 effectiveness testing, customer-data security controls, ICO-acceptable evidence.
Cyber Essentials Plus
Direct certification through our IASME body status, single-vendor delivery.
PRICING
Transparent Electron App Penetration Testing Pricing
Pricing depends on app complexity, user-role count, business-logic depth, and integration surface. The day count flexes; the included deliverables stay the same across all engagements.
2 to 4 days
Single user role, basic CRUD application, marketing website with auth. Typically 5-day engagement.
Get a fixed quote4 to 5 days
Multi-role SaaS, business application with payment integration. Typically 8-12 day engagement.
Get a fixed quote5 to 8 days
Multi-tenant platform, complex authorisation matrix, integration-heavy applications. 15-20 day engagement.
Get a fixed quotePart of Technologies We Pen Test. These are examples of the stacks we publish pages for, not a complete list. If yours is not here we still test it. Related pages:
BY SECTOR
Electron App Penetration Testing for Your Sector
Sector-specialist scoping for UK businesses with sector-specific compliance regimes and threat models.
Fintech & FCA-Regulated
FCA SYSC, Open Banking FAPI 1.0, PSD2 SCA, payment-flow scrutiny, KYC/AML testing.
Fintech sector pageSaaS Companies
SOC 2 Type I & II evidence, multi-tenant boundaries, role escalation, customer-tenant isolation.
SaaS sector pageLaw Firms
SRA Cyber Standard, privileged data, conveyancing fraud defence, partner-tier procurement.
Law firm sector pageHealthcare
NHS DTAC, DSP Toolkit v6, UK GDPR Article 32, EHR systems, telehealth platforms.
Healthcare sector pageInsurance
FCA / PRA Operational Resilience, cyber underwriting, claims data, broker portals.
Insurance sector pagePublic Sector
CCS / G-Cloud framework, NCSC-aligned, citizen-facing services, PSN-compliance scrutiny.
Public sector pageWHY EJN LABS
What You Get From Electron App Penetration Testing
Six concrete differentiators competitors don’t all match.
CREST-Certified Testers, Verifiable
Every test by a CREST-certified pen tester (CRT, CCT APP, CCT INF where applicable). Verify our company status at crest-approved.org.
24-Hour Startup, Where Required
From signed scope to active testing in a single business day for incident response, audit deadlines, or regulator-driven timelines.
Live Findings, Not 4-Week PDFs
Critical issues reported during testing through your client portal. Your team remediates while testing continues.
Audit-Ready Reports
Executive summary plus full technical report with CVSS scores and explicit framework mappings (ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS, FCA SYSC).
Free Retests, Standard
Verify remediation of every finding before close-out. Letter of attestation for audit submission included. Most competitors charge £1,500-£3,000 per retest.
UK-Based CREST Testers
Every engagement performed by vetted, UK-based CREST-certified testers, matched to your needs, security clearance, and compliance scope.
FAQ
Frequently Asked
Is this different from your thick client testing?
It is the Electron-specific version. Native Windows applications are covered on the thick client page.
Do you need the source code?
No. An Electron package can be unpacked, which is part of the test. Source access speeds up triage.
Which platforms do you test on?
Windows and macOS as standard, Linux builds on request. Settings often differ between them.
Is the backend included?
Yes, by default. It is where most serious findings are.
What about Tauri or similar frameworks?
Ask us. The bridge model is comparable and we will confirm before quoting.
Do you check code signing?
Yes, along with notarisation and the update signature chain.
What is included in the price?
Scoping, testing, the executive summary, the technical report, a walkthrough call and free retests until the finding is closed. One scope, one number, no follow-up invoices.
How fast can you start?
Scope to active testing in 24 hours once the scope is agreed, subject to tester availability in your window.
Are your testers CREST certified?
Yes. EJN Labs is a CREST member company and testing is delivered by CREST-qualified testers. The membership is verifiable on the CREST marketplace.
20+ CREST-accredited testing services in one place
Web, mobile, API, cloud, AI, infrastructure, red team. Pick the test that fits your environment.
Get your desktop app tested properly
Send us the installer and the test accounts. You will have a fixed scope and a number within 24 hours.
