iOS

Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced Prerequisites: Swift/ObjC basics, iOS security model

Resources & References

iOS Hacking - A Beginner’s Guide to Hacking iOS Apps [2022 Edition]martabyte

Modern iOS Pentesting: No Jailbreak Needed - Dvulndvuln.com

Start your first iOS Application Pentest with me.. (Part- 1)Medium

MobSF "IPA Binary Analysis" | Step by StepInês Martins

Non-Jailbreak Testing (Recommended)

Environment Setup

# Install Xcode command line tools
xcode-select --install

# Install Homebrew packages
brew install libimobiledevice ideviceinstaller ios-deploy

# Install Python tools
pip3 install objection frida-tools

# Check device connection
idevice_id -l
ideviceinfo

IPA Acquisition & Analysis

# Get IPA from App Store (decrypted)
# https://github.com/majd/ipatool
ipatool auth login -e [email protected]
ipatool download -b com.app.bundleid -o app.ipa

# Extract IPA
unzip app.ipa -d extracted/

# Analyze with MobSF
# https://github.com/MobSF/Mobile-Security-Framework-MobSF
docker run -it --rm -p 8000:8000 opensecurity/mobile-security-framework-mobsf

# Static analysis without device
# https://github.com/AnyByte/app-check
# https://github.com/nicnocquee/apple-mobile-provision-parser

Objection (Non-Jailbreak Runtime Manipulation)

# Patch IPA with Frida gadget (no jailbreak needed)
objection patchipa --source app.ipa --codesign-signature "Apple Development: [email protected]"

# Install patched IPA
ios-deploy --bundle Payload/App.app

# Connect to running app
objection explore

# Common objection commands
ios hooking list classes
ios hooking list class_methods <ClassName>
ios hooking watch class <ClassName>
ios hooking watch method "<ClassName> <methodName>" --dump-args --dump-return

# Disable SSL pinning
ios sslpinning disable

# Dump keychain
ios keychain dump

# List cookies
ios cookies get

# Dump filesystem
ios plist cat <path>
ios nsuserdefaults get

# Bypass jailbreak detection
ios jailbreak disable

# Search for strings in memory
memory search "password" --string

# Dump classes and methods
ios hooking generate simple <ClassName>

Frida Scripting

// frida-script.js - SSL Pinning Bypass
// https://codeshare.frida.re/@dki/ios10-ssl-bypass/

Java.perform(function() {
    // iOS SSL Pinning Bypass
    var resolver = new ApiResolver('objc');
    resolver.enumerateMatches('*[* URLSession:didReceiveChallenge:completionHandler:]', {
        onMatch: function(match) {
            Interceptor.attach(match.address, {
                onEnter: function(args) {
                    var dominated = ObjC.Object(args[4]);
                    dominated.invoke('initWithDisposition:credential:', 0, null);
                }
            });
        },
        onComplete: function() {}
    });
});

// Run with: frida -U -f com.app.bundleid -l frida-script.js --no-pause

# Frida basics
frida-ps -Ua                              # List running apps
frida -U -f com.app.bundleid              # Spawn and attach
frida -U "App Name"                       # Attach to running

# Useful Frida scripts
# https://github.com/m0bilesecurity/Frida-Mobile-Scripts
# https://codeshare.frida.re/

Proxy Setup (SSL Pinning Bypass)

# Install Burp CA on device
# Settings > General > About > Certificate Trust Settings > Enable

# For SSL pinning bypass (without jailbreak)
# Use objection: ios sslpinning disable
# Or patch the app with Frida gadget

# Network interception with mitmproxy
mitmproxy --mode regular --ssl-insecure

# Charles Proxy setup
# Enable SSL Proxying for specific hosts
# Install Charles CA on device

Jailbreak Testing

# All about Jailbreak & iOS versions
https://www.theiphonewiki.com/wiki/Jailbreak

# OWASP MSTG
https://github.com/OWASP/owasp-mstg

# Jailbreak compatibility list
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11DABHIIqwYQKj1L83AK9ywk_hYMjEkcaxpIg6phbTf0/edit#gid=1014970938

# Checklist
https://mobexler.com/checklist.htm#ios

# Jailbreak tools
# checkra1n - iPhone 5s though iPhone X, iOS 12.3+
# https://checkra.in/
checkra1n 

# unc0ver - https://unc0ver.dev/
# Taurine - https://taurine.app/
# palera1n - https://palera.in/ (iOS 15+)

# 3UTools for Windows
http://www.3u.com/

# Cydia Repositories
# https://ryleylangus.com/repo
# Liberty Bypass - Jailbreak detection bypass

Jailbroken Device Tools

# SSH to device (default: alpine)
ssh root@device_ip

# Install Frida on device
# Add https://build.frida.re to Cydia sources
# Install Frida from Cydia

# SSL Kill Switch 2
# https://github.com/nabla-c0d3/ssl-kill-switch2
# Install .deb on device

# Keychain Dumper
# https://github.com/ptoomey3/Keychain-Dumper
./keychain-dumper

# FLEXible - In-app debugging
# Install from Cydia

# Cycript - Runtime manipulation
cycript -p <pid>
cy# UIApp.keyWindow.rootViewController

Static Analysis

Binary Analysis

# Get .ipa and extract
unzip example.ipa
cd Payload/App.app

# Check encryption (should be cryptid 1)
otool -l BINARY | grep -A 4 LC_ENCRYPTION_INFO

# Check PIE (Position Independent Executable)
otool -hv BINARY | grep PIE

# Check ARC (Automatic Reference Counting)
otool -Iv BINARY | grep objc_release

# Check stack canaries
otool -Iv BINARY | grep stack_chk

# List dynamic dependencies
otool -L BINARY

# Dump classes and methods
# https://github.com/DerekSelander/dsdump
dsdump -a BINARY

# Class-dump for Objective-C headers
class-dump -H -o output/ BINARY

# Swift class dump
# https://github.com/nicolo-grazioli/swift-dump

Info.plist Analysis

# Using plutil
plutil -p Info.plist

# Check for sensitive configurations
# App Transport Security exceptions
grep -A 10 "NSAppTransportSecurity" Info.plist

# URL schemes
grep -A 5 "CFBundleURLSchemes" Info.plist

# Exported UTIs
grep -A 5 "UTExportedTypeDeclarations" Info.plist

# Background modes
grep -A 5 "UIBackgroundModes" Info.plist

# https://scriptingosx.com/2016/11/editing-property-lists/

File System Analysis

# Interesting locations
/private/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/{HASH}/
/private/var/containers/Bundle/Application/{HASH}/
/var/containers/Bundle/Application/{HASH}
/var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/{HASH}
/var/mobile/Containers/Shared/AppGroup/{HASH}

# SQLite databases
find /var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/ -name "*.db" 2>/dev/null
find /var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/ -name "*.sqlite" 2>/dev/null

# Plist files
find /var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/ -name "*.plist" 2>/dev/null

# Cache and logs
ls -la /var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/{HASH}/Library/Caches/
ls -la /var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/{HASH}/tmp/

Dynamic Analysis

Runtime Inspection

# Dump decrypted IPA from device
# https://github.com/AloneMonkey/frida-ios-dump
python3 dump.py "App Name"

# Manual IPA extraction (without launching app)
ls -lahR /var/containers/Bundle/Application/ | grep -B 2 -i 'appname'
scp -r [email protected]:/var/containers/Bundle/Application/{ID} LOCAL_PATH
mkdir Payload
cp -r appname.app/ Payload/
zip -r app.ipa Payload/

# Monitor logs
idevicesyslog | grep "AppName"

# Snapshot inspection (screenshot in memory)
ls /var/mobile/Containers/Data/Application/{HASH}/Library/SplashBoard/Snapshots/

Keychain Extraction

# With Objection
objection explore
ios keychain dump
ios keychain dump --json output.json

# With keychain-dumper (jailbroken)
./keychain-dumper

# Check keychain accessibility levels
# kSecAttrAccessibleWhenUnlocked - Good
# kSecAttrAccessibleAfterFirstUnlock - Okay
# kSecAttrAccessibleAlways - Bad!

Jailbreak Detection Bypass

# Using Objection
ios jailbreak disable

# Using Liberty Lite (Cydia)
# Enable for specific app

# Using A-Bypass
# https://repo.co.kr/

# Frida script for jailbreak bypass
# https://codeshare.frida.re/@liangxiaoyi1024/ios-jailbreak-detection-bypass/

Common Vulnerabilities

Insecure Data Storage

# Check NSUserDefaults
ios nsuserdefaults get

# Check for cleartext in plist
find . -name "*.plist" -exec grep -l "password\|token\|key" {} \;

# Check SQLite databases
sqlite3 database.db ".tables"
sqlite3 database.db "SELECT * FROM users;"

# Check for hardcoded credentials
strings BINARY | grep -i "api\|key\|secret\|password\|token"

URL Scheme Vulnerabilities

# List URL schemes
cat Info.plist | grep -A 5 CFBundleURLSchemes

# Test URL schemes
# On device: Safari > myapp://test
# Or programmatically

# Check for deep link injection
frida -U "AppName" -e 'ObjC.classes.UIApplication.sharedApplication().openURL_(ObjC.classes.NSURL.URLWithString_("myapp://inject"))'

Clipboard Vulnerabilities

# Monitor clipboard with Frida
frida -U "AppName" -e 'ObjC.classes.UIPasteboard.generalPasteboard().string()'

# Check if sensitive data copied to clipboard
# Look for password fields with copy enabled

Binary Protections Check

# Use MobSF or manual checks
# PIE: otool -hv binary | grep PIE
# ARC: otool -Iv binary | grep objc_release  
# Stack Canaries: otool -Iv binary | grep stack_chk
# Encrypted: otool -l binary | grep cryptid

# Missing protections = easier exploitation

Tools Summary

Tool	Purpose	Jailbreak Required
Objection	Runtime manipulation, patching	No
Frida	Dynamic instrumentation	No (with patched IPA)
MobSF	Static analysis	No
ipatool	IPA download	No
Keychain-dumper	Keychain extraction	Yes
SSL Kill Switch	SSL pinning bypass	Yes
Cycript	Runtime exploration	Yes
class-dump	Header extraction	No

iOS 17-18 Security Changes

New Security Features

# iOS 17+ Security Enhancements
# ================================

# 1. Lockdown Mode Enhancements
# - Blocks most message attachment types
# - Disables JIT compilation in Safari
# - Blocks incoming FaceTime from unknown contacts
# - Blocks wired connections when locked
# Cannot bypass without physical access and passcode

# 2. App Privacy Enhancements
# - Sensitive Content Analysis on-device
# - Enhanced Link Tracking Protection
# - Communication Safety expansions

# 3. Passkey Improvements
# - Automatic passkey upgrades from passwords
# - Passkey sharing via AirDrop
# - Cross-platform passkey sync

Testing Considerations

# iOS 17+ Proxy Setup
# Safari requires additional trust for custom CA certificates
# Settings → General → About → Certificate Trust Settings → Enable full trust

# Lockdown Mode Detection
# Check if lockdown mode is enabled
frida -U "AppName" -e '
var mode = ObjC.classes.BMSystemContainer.currentSystemContainer().lockdownModeEnabled();
console.log("Lockdown Mode: " + mode);
'

# iOS 18 Specific
# Enhanced app sandboxing
# Per-app network proxy settings possible
# Improved keychain protection

# SSL Pinning in iOS 17+
# App Transport Security more strictly enforced
# Check ATS exceptions in Info.plist
plutil -p Info.plist | grep -A 20 NSAppTransportSecurity

# Many apps now use Certificate Transparency
# Consider CT log bypass techniques

iOS 18 New Protections

# Contact Key Verification
# Prevents MITM on iMessage
# Cannot intercept verified conversations

# Secure Boot Improvements
# Stronger chain of trust verification
# SEP (Secure Enclave Processor) updates

# App Intents & Shortcuts Privacy
# More granular permissions for automation

# Testing on iOS 18
# 1. Check for new entitlements in binary
codesign -d --entitlements :- Payload/App.app/App 2>&1

# 2. Review privacy manifest requirements
# Apps must declare data usage in PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy
find . -name "PrivacyInfo.xcprivacy" -exec cat {} \;

# 3. Required Reason APIs
# Apps must declare why they use certain APIs
# Fingerprinting APIs now require justification

Bypassing New Protections

# iOS 17+ Jailbreak Status
# Check current jailbreak availability
# Dopamine, Palera1n for A11 and earlier
# No public jailbreak for A12+ on iOS 17+

# Non-Jailbreak Testing Focus
# Objection + patched IPA remains primary method
# Focus on static analysis when dynamic not possible

# Frida Gadget Injection
# Works without jailbreak
objection patchipa --source app.ipa --codesign-signature "YOUR_SIGNATURE"

# Runtime Manipulation
# iOS 17+ has improved integrity checks
# May need to bypass more integrity validations
frida -U "AppName" -e '
Interceptor.attach(ObjC.classes.PKTrustSettings["- evaluateTrust:"].implementation, {
  onLeave: function(retval) {
    retval.replace(0x1);  // Trust all
  }
});
'