How security researchers access secure areas of iOS code

The Motherboard edition has conducted a large investigation into how security researchers “uncover” Apple iOS devices.

It turns out that there is a developed “gray” market for prototypes of iOS devices, and it is these prototypes that researchers use to find new ways to jailbreak.

Such prototypes have disabled many security features in the Secure Enclave Processor (SEP), which allows researchers to find new opportunities for hacking into the already released versions of the iPhone and iPad.

The cost of prototypes (approximately):

• iPhone 6 - $ 1300
• iPhone 8 Plus - $ 5000
• iPhone XR - $ 20,000

To use these devices in developer mode, a special USB cable is also needed, which is called “kanzi”. The irony here is that this name has a variety of Belgian apples and is also called male miniature chimpanzee (bonobo). The cost of this cable is about $ 2000.

“Shops” on Twitter that sell prototypes of iOS devices:

• twitter.com/AppleInternalsh
• twitter.com/jin_store
• twitter.com/laobaiTD

Initially, these devices (and the "kanzi" cable) were intended only for Apple developers. However, thanks to the efforts of Foxcon insiders, prototypes enter the electronics market in the Chinese city of Shenzhen, and from there they are received by researchers around the world.

News about information leaks and insiders can always be found on my Information Leaks Telegram channel.