Enhanced Analysis of Cryptographic Library Usage Patterns and Trends in Android Applications

The secure implementation of cryptographic functions by developers is crucial for software security. Despite the widespread availability of various cryptographic libraries, knowledge regarding their usage patterns in Android applications remains limited. This study conducts a large-scale, comprehensive analysis of cryptographic library usage across 1.5 million Android apps. Our research questions (RQs) focus on identifying the extent and nature of cryptographic library usage, including both official and third-party libraries. Through static analysis, we uncover prevalent libraries, proprietary implementations, and their deployment scale. The findings illuminate significant trends and potential security gaps, offering valuable insights for developers and researchers to enhance cryptographic practices in software development.