Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
63,291
30,376


apple_security_icon.jpg
Earlier this week, forensic expert Jonathan Zdziarski attracted attention for his disclosures of what appeared to be "backdoors" in iOS that could allow for covert data collection of users' information from their devices. While Apple issued a statement denying that anything nefarious was involved, the company has now posted a new support document (via Cabel Sasser) offering a limited description of the three services highlighted in Zdziarski's talk.
Each of these diagnostic capabilities requires the user to have unlocked their device and agreed to trust another computer. Any data transmitted between the iOS device and trusted computer is encrypted with keys not shared with Apple. For users who have enabled iTunes Wi-Fi Sync on a trusted computer, these services may also be accessed wirelessly by that computer.
The three processes include:

- com.apple.mobile.pcapd: Diagnostic packet capture to a trusted computer, used for diagnosing app issues and enterprise VPN connection problems.

- com.apple.mobile.file_relay: Used on internal devices and can be accessed (with user permission) by AppleCare for diagnostic purposes on the user's device.

- com.apple.mobile.house_arrest: Used by iTunes for document transfer and by Xcode during app development and testing.

Security experts will undoubtedly have additional questions about just how these services work and whether there are better and more secure ways of accomplishing the tasks they handle. At the very least, however, today's disclosure demonstrates a willingness by Apple to share information about the legitimate need for these services and should help quell unsupported speculation that Apple has worked with security agencies to implement these tools to allow for covert surveillance.

Update July 23, 9:52 AM: Zdziarski has responded [Google cache] to Apple's posting of the support document, acknowledging the disclosures but arguing that Apple is downplaying the power of these services.
I give Apple credit for acknowledging these services, and at least trying to give an answer to people who want to know why these services are there – prior to this, there was no documentation about file relay whatsoever, or its 44 data services to copy off personal data. They appear to be misleading about its capabilities, however, in downplaying them, and this concerns me. I wonder if the higher ups at Apple really are aware of how much non-diagnostic personal information it copies out, wirelessly, bypassing backup encryption. All the while that Apple is downplaying it, I suspect they’ll also quietly fix many of the issues I’ve raised in future versions. At least I hope so. It would be wildly irresponsible for Apple not to address these issues, especially now that the public knows about them.
Zdziarski also emphasizes that he has never suggested Apple is involved in a conspiracy to open up these services for surveillance - only that they could be used by those seeking to access such data.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Article Link: Apple Addresses iOS 'Backdoor' Concerns by Outlining Legitimate Uses for Targeted Services [Updated]
 
Last edited:

christarp

macrumors 6502
Oct 29, 2013
478
768
Really happy with how transparent apple is seeming to be. Hopefully they fully explain the situation and if something is going on they will admit it and fix it. This is the first step in the right direction.
 

lolkthxbai

macrumors 65816
May 7, 2011
1,426
489
Really happy with how transparent apple is seeming to be. Hopefully they fully explain the situation and if something is going on they will admit it and fix it. This is the first step in the right direction.

Seems legit. I'm happy with this response from apple. It's always nice to see people are curious about what services are running on their devices.
 

iSteve-O

macrumors regular
Oct 2, 2011
233
57
With all these security flaws, no wonder the President doesn't use an iPhone.
 

MikhailT

macrumors 601
Nov 12, 2007
4,582
1,325
Great first steps, now one more step is to allow the user to opt out on all diagnostic information. One of the problems with _Don't send info to Apple_ is that while it is disabling the sharing of information to Apple, it does not prevent those services from recording the information in the first place. That means your iOS device is still hoarding all sorts of personal information without your knowledge and consent, even though you're not sharing it with Apple. The info can be retrieved illegally and/or with legit forensic tools.

So, Apple needs to step up there and have a simple option to disable all diagnostic information, period. I don't care about legitimate users for these services, they're not required and they're storing information I don't want iOS to store in the first place that's not encrypted with my passcode.
 
Last edited:

iCore24

macrumors 6502
Jan 6, 2013
388
52
Michigan
Call me an Apple fanboy or whatever, But I 100% (more realistically around 92.8%) trust Apple.

I know Steve Jobs cared 100% about this company. The man stopped working only when it was physically impossible for him to go to work. I heard he even was talking about the iPhone 5 a day before he died to Tim Cook.

I know I know I shouldn't compare Steve to Tim. But I also believe Tim cares just as much as Steve did about Apple. They are honest and truly care about its products.

Im lovin their transparency now!
:apple:
 
Last edited:

Zellio

macrumors 65816
Feb 7, 2012
1,165
474
In b4 that 1984 commercial with all the Apple users watching Tim Cook
 

PocketSand11

macrumors 6502a
Jun 12, 2014
688
1
~/
This doesn't sound legit. Even if these genuinely are not meant to be backdoors, these are still three security holes that they show no sign of fixing.
 
Last edited:

Robert.Walter

macrumors 68040
Jul 10, 2012
3,074
4,297
With all these security flaws, no wonder the President doesn't use an iPhone.

(Prez would need a case if he did since he would likely fumble and drop it like so many other things...)

Prez doesn't need to worry about digital security when he has the whole NSA working for, and against, him...
 

mbh

macrumors 6502
Jul 18, 2002
400
73
I think Apple knows what kind of scrutiny they are under (fair or unfair, you have to admit it's extreme) and so are unlikely to lie about something like this. Can you imagine the headlines if one of these security researchers actually proved that something they said wasn't true? Right now all we have are accusations, which are a dime a dozen. Tim Cook burps at lunch and there are conspiracy theories on the internet within the hour.
 

cdmoore74

macrumors 68020
Jun 24, 2010
2,413
711
Call me an Apple fanboy or whatever, But I 100% trust Apple.

I know Steve Jobs cared 100% about this company. The man stopped working only when it was physically impossible for him to go to work. I heard he even was talking about the iPhone 5 a day before he died to Tim Cook.

I know I know I shouldn't compare Steve to Tim. But I also believe Tim cares just as much as Steve did about Apple. They are honest and truly care about its products.

Im lovin there transparency to prove these Apple bashers wrong!

:apple:

Never trust anything 100%. I don't even trust my wife 100% of the time. Hell, I don't trust myself 100% of the time. :D
 

cdmoore74

macrumors 68020
Jun 24, 2010
2,413
711
How does this title sound?

Google Addresses Android 'Backdoor' Concerns by Outlining Legitimate Uses for Targeted Services

If you mood changes from positive to negative then you know your a Apple fanboy. ;)
 

Rigby

macrumors 603
Aug 5, 2008
6,210
10,148
San Jose, CA
I tend to believe Apple when they say they didn't install these services for nefarious purposes. But it doesn't change the fact that they expose way more information that is needed for the stated purposes, and that they are not well protected. The diagnostic services should be disabled by default until they are needed (e.g. there could be a switch in the Restrictions settings). I also see no justification for making them accessible via Wifi if they are indeed meant for legitimate diagnostics only.
 

JAT

macrumors 603
Dec 31, 2001
6,473
124
Mpls, MN
So, we are now to the point where discussions of iOS processes are PRSI??

Somebody may be taking things a little too seriously.
 

newagemac

macrumors 68020
Mar 31, 2010
2,091
23
Ok great. Now when is google going to address the far more numerous security questions that researchers have posed regarding Android?

... Crickets???
 

WissMAN

macrumors regular
Jun 19, 2009
146
14
Lone Star state
I tend to trust Apple or anyone for that matter until I have a reason not to. In this case I don't know enough about the found code to think it nefarious.

With other comments made by apple I tend to think they know that partnering with the "other side" would be disastrous for their reputation and future.
 

Watabou

macrumors 68040
Feb 10, 2008
3,425
755
United States
How does this title sound?

Google Addresses Android 'Backdoor' Concerns by Outlining Legitimate Uses for Targeted Services

If you mood changes from positive to negative then you know your a Apple fanboy. ;)

If you make that above post, then you know you're a Google fanboy. ;)

Now can we please stop making these types of posts? This is probably the new "Safari is snappier" type of posts. Take any front page post vilifying Apple, change the headline to Google and then mention how Apple fanboys will be pissed, will take a negative tone and then will promptly **** their pants.
 

MikhailT

macrumors 601
Nov 12, 2007
4,582
1,325
I tend to trust Apple or anyone for that matter until I have a reason not to. In this case I don't know enough about the found code to think it nefarious.

With other comments made by apple I tend to think they know that partnering with the "other side" would be disastrous for their reputation and future.

Did you see the slides from the security researcher? It is not that technical, you can see what kind of general information is being stored on the local device storage.

These information are not required for anything, it doesn't break anything by disabling them all from storing the info on the devices.

Imagine this on your Mac, every site you visit in Safari is being stored in the diagnostic file because it could be diagnostically useful for Apple to grab that file and reproduce what you did before Safari crashed. Now, imagine if you intentionally clear your history in Safari but it is not removed from the diagnostic file at all because well, it's for a diagnostic purpose.

Do you think it is okay to record what you did for diagnostic purposes even though you have never turned on the diagnostic mode nor consented to have it shared with Apple?
 

wiz329

macrumors 6502a
Apr 19, 2010
509
96
Call me an Apple fanboy or whatever, But I 100% trust Apple.

I know Steve Jobs cared 100% about this company. The man stopped working only when it was physically impossible for him to go to work. I heard he even was talking about the iPhone 5 a day before he died to Tim Cook.

I know I know I shouldn't compare Steve to Tim. But I also believe Tim cares just as much as Steve did about Apple. They are honest and truly care about its products.

Im lovin there transparency to prove these Apple bashers wrong!

:apple:

Steve caring 100% about his company =! Apple doesn't collect data on its users.
 

MaSx

macrumors regular
Jan 16, 2010
248
205
Really happy with how transparent apple is seeming to be. Hopefully they fully explain the situation and if something is going on they will admit it and fix it. This is the first step in the right direction.

You must be kidding. Apple would never want to admit it, until it's shown and proven dot by dot. Only then...you will hear something close to admitting, maybe.
 

Wolfpup

macrumors 68030
Sep 7, 2006
2,925
105
Seems legit. I'm happy with this response from apple. It's always nice to see people are curious about what services are running on their devices.

Yeah, this does sound legit. I'm happy Apple responded quickly and pretty thoroughly.

I'll be listening to Security Now tomorrow and reserve final judgement until after that, but this sounds very legit, thankfully!
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.