How to Detect Hooking (Frida) using Kotlin

Stop runtime attacks before they hijack your Android app.

Hooking frameworks like Frida and Xposed are increasingly popular among attackers trying to manipulate Android apps. From bypassing in-app purchases to stealing sensitive data, hooking is a serious risk.

What is Hooking?

Hooking is the process of intercepting and modifying function calls at runtime. Attackers use frameworks such as Frida, Xposed, or LSPosed to inject custom code into your app. Popular attacker toolkits include:

• frida – runs on the device and enables full dynamic instrumentation

• objection – built on Frida, commonly used for bypassing SSL pinning and root detection

This allows attackers to:

• Bypass license checks or payments

• Steal API keys and user credentials

• Alter logic to gain unfair advantages in apps (e.g., games, banking apps)

Check out freeRASP and RASP+ for industry leading hook detection.

How to Detect Hooking?

Detecting hooking is tricky because frameworks evolve fast and attackers hide their tracks. DIY detection (like searching for suspicious processes or libraries) often fails against advanced obfuscation. That’s why there are many solutions which already provides high level of detection:

• freeRASP (by Talsec) – battle-tested detection of Frida, Xposed, Magisk, and more

• RASP+ (by Talsec) – commercial premium robust protection

These solutions keep pace with new bypass techniques, saving you the burden of chasing attackers.

DIY Coding Guide

You can implement yourself simple Frida server detection. Frida often uses ports like 27042 and 27043.

import kotlinx.coroutines.Dispatchers
import kotlinx.coroutines.withContext
import java.net.InetSocketAddress
import java.net.Socket

suspend fun detectFridaPorts(): Boolean = withContext(Dispatchers.IO) {
    val portsToCheck = listOf(27042, 27043)

    for (port in portsToCheck) {
        try {

            Socket().use { socket ->
                socket.connect(InetSocketAddress("127.0.0.1", port), 200)
                
                // If we reach this line, the connection was successful
                println("Frida-like service detected on port $port")
                return@withContext true
            }
        } catch (e: Exception) {
            // Port not open or connection timed out; ignore and continue
        }
    }

    return@withContext false
}

Use freeRASP (free library by Talsec)

With freeRASP, the hook detection utilizes hundreds of advanced checks, offering robust detection even with bypass scripts applied.

• Robust Kotlin SDK that detects Frida, Xposed, Magisk, root, tampering, and more

• Actively updated, trusted by 6000+ apps worldwide

• Simple integration with callbacks for security events

Integration Example

Add the freeRASP in your project, focus on implementing the following callback:

Talsec.start(applicationContext, TalsecConfig(...))

override fun onHookDetected() {
    Log.w("freeRASP", "Hooking (Frida/Xposed) detected!")
    // Respond appropriately: logout user, block actions, alert server, etc.
}

Commercial Alternatives

When evaluating mobile app security and Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP), developers often compare various Talsec alternatives to find the right fit for their architecture. The "right choice" depends on the specific problem you need to tackle and which vendor offers the best bang for your buck.

The market is diverse, offering different philosophical approaches to protection. Talsec prioritizes top-tier root detection and a balanced security SDK portfolio covering the most popular attack vectors. Meanwhile, some vendors specialize primarily in heavy code obfuscation and compiler-based hardening, while others focus on a drag-and-drop (no-code) integration experience for DevOps-oriented teams. There are also solutions dedicated specifically to API security, active cloud hardening, enterprise compliance, or gaming protection. The most prominent providers alongside Talsec include Guardsquare, Appdome, Promon, Build38, Approov, and AppSealing.

Key Takeaway

Hooking is one of the most dangerous runtime threats to Android apps. Attackers armed with Frida, objection, or frida-trace can change your app’s behavior in seconds—but you can fight back. With freeRASP by Talsec, Kotlin developers get a reliable, lightweight, and continuously updated way to detect and stop hooking attacks before they cause damage.

Handle App Security with a Single Solution! Check Out Talsec's Premium Offer & Plan Comparison!

Plans Comparison

https://www.talsec.app/plans-comparison

Premium Products:

• RASP+ - An advanced security SDK that actively shields your app from reverse engineering, tampering, rooting/jailbreaking, and runtime attacks like hooking or debugging.

• AppiCrypt (Android & iOS) & AppiCrypt for Web - A backend defense system that verifies the integrity of the calling app and device to block bots, scripts, and unauthorized clients from accessing your API.

• Malware Detection - Scans the user's device for known malicious packages, suspicious "clones," and risky permissions to prevent fraud and data theft.

• Dynamic TLS Pinning - Prevents Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks by validating server certificates that can be updated remotely without needing to publish a new app version.

• Secret Vault - A secure storage solution that encrypts and obfuscates sensitive data (like API keys or tokens) to prevent them from being extracted during reverse engineering.