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Clear Infosec

Thick-Client Penetration Testing

Desktop and thick-client application security.

Testing of desktop and thick-client applications across the client binary, local storage, inter-process communication, and the services they talk to.

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What we test

Where we focus

Local storage and secrets handling

Binary and memory protections

Inter-process communication (IPC)

Back-end / server communication

Privilege and update mechanisms

Injection and input handling

This is part of our Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing service. Retest validation is included at no added cost.

Who it's for

Organizations that build or rely on desktop and installed client software, such as financial, engineering, or line-of-business applications that store data locally and talk to backend services.

FAQ

Common questions

What is thick-client penetration testing?

Thick-client penetration testing assesses desktop or installed applications across the client binary, local data storage, inter-process communication, and the backend services they connect to. It covers risks that pure web testing does not, because logic and data live on the endpoint.

What is a thick client, and why does it need separate testing?

A thick client is a desktop application that performs significant processing locally rather than in a browser. Because it stores data, secrets, and logic on the endpoint and often uses custom protocols, it needs testing of the binary, local storage, and its communication with servers.

What kinds of issues does thick-client testing find?

Common findings include secrets and sensitive data stored insecurely on disk or in memory, weak or missing binary protections, insecure inter-process communication, unsafe update mechanisms, and client-side trust that can be bypassed to abuse the backend.

The CLEAR Method

A structured methodology, From scope to retest, proof over theory.

  1. C

    Context & Scoping

    Objectives, scope, and rules of engagement.

  2. L

    Locate & Enumerate

    Discover assets, services, and attack surface.

  3. E

    Exploit & Evaluate

    Safely validate what is truly exploitable.

  4. A

    Analyze & Advise

    Root cause, risk, and remediation guidance.

  5. R

    Retest & Report

    Confirm fixes, then report with evidence.

Aligned toPTESOSSTMMMITRE ATT&CKOWASPNIST 800-115MITRE ATLAS

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Let's scope your thick-client penetration testing.

Practitioner-led testing, proof of impact, and retest validation included at no added cost.

Contact us

Reach us at

Email: info@clearinfosec.com Toll Free: 1800 760 5656