Many iOS Encryption Measures 'Unused,' Say Cryptographers

[MacRumors]

iOS does not utilize built-in encryption measures as much as it could do, allowing for potentially unnecessary security vulnerabilities, according to cryptographers at Johns Hopkins University (via Wired).

Using publicly available documentation from Apple and Google, law enforcement reports about bypassing mobile security features, and their own analysis, the cryptographers assessed the robustness of iOS and Android encryption. The research found that while encryption infrastructure on iOS "sounds really good," it is largely left unused:

"On iOS in particular, the infrastructure is in place for this hierarchical encryption that sounds really good," said Maximilian Zinkus, lead iOS researcher. "But I was definitely surprised to see then how much of it is unused."

When an iPhone boots up, all stored data is in a state of "Complete Protection," and the user must unlock the device before anything can be decrypted. While this is extremely secure, the researchers highlighted that once the device has been unlocked for the first time after a reboot, a large amount of data moves into a state Apple calls "Protected Until First User Authentication."

Since devices are rarely restarted, most data is in a state of "Protected Until First User Authentication" rather than "Complete Protection" most of the time. The advantage of this less secure state is that decryption keys are stored in quick access memory, where they can be swiftly accessed by applications.

In theory, an attacker could find and exploit certain types of security vulnerabilities in iOS to obtain encryption keys in the quick access memory, enabling them to decrypt large amounts of data from the device. It is believed that this is how many smartphone access tools work, such as those from the forensic access company Grayshift.

While it is true that attackers require a specific operating system vulnerability to access the keys, and both Apple and Google patch many of these flaws as they are noticed, it may be avoidable by hiding encryption keys more deeply.

"It just really shocked me, because I came into this project thinking that these phones are really protecting user data well," says Johns Hopkins cryptographer Matthew Green. "Now I've come out of the project thinking almost nothing is protected as much as it could be. So why do we need a backdoor for law enforcement when the protections that these phones actually offer are so bad?"

The researchers also shared their findings and a number of technical recommendations with Apple directly. A spokesperson for Apple offered a public statement in response:

"Apple devices are designed with multiple layers of security in order to protect against a wide range of potential threats, and we work constantly to add new protections for our users' data. As customers continue to increase the amount of sensitive information they store on their devices, we will continue to develop additional protections in both hardware and software to protect their data."

The spokesperson also told Wired that Apple's security work is primarily focused on protecting users from hackers, thieves, and criminals looking to steal personal information. They also noted that the types of attacks the researchers highlighted are very costly to develop, require physical access to the target device, and only work until Apple releases a patch. Apple also emphasized that its objective with iOS is to balance security and convenience.

Article Link: Many iOS Encryption Measures 'Unused,' Say Cryptographers

 

[sugargliderdude]

is it possible to hack an iPhone these days?

 

[Joseph C]

The biggest problem for me is that Apple planned to make iCloud backups end to end encrypted but this was thwarted.

Thus really even on Apple devices we have little privacy if we use iCloud.

 

[duanepatrick]

So, TL;DR, it seems that I should restart my phone every day.

 

[centauratlas]

The biggest problem for me is that Apple planned to make iCloud backups end to end encrypted but this was thwarted.

Thus really even on Apple devices we have little privacy if we use iCloud.

Exactly. This is a huge security hole and the concern is that if you use iCloud backups even once some three letter agency or bad actor could capture it if there is a security hole in the cloud - last year there were tons. Then once it is captured, it is accessible at any point later.

 

[mayerryan]

That's all fine and well, but can we talk about that crap lock graphic for a second? ???

 

[Cosmosent]

So much for Tim Cook's "spin" about Privacy !

 

[velocityg4]

It would be nice if they had a USB off option. I know there is USB Restricted Mode. But that still gives an hour where the USB port may be attacked (plus loopholes to reset the timer). When we should have the option to disable all data connections to the USB port entirely. Whether or not the phone is unlocked. Only allowing charging. Heck with wireless charging now. Users should have the option to totally disable the port.

So, TL;DR, it seems that I should restart my phone every day.

Doesn't really help. As soon as you use it the vulnerability returns. You'd have to turn it off whenever you aren't using it.

 

[ddtmm]

The biggest problem for me is that Apple planned to make iCloud backups end to end encrypted but this was thwarted.

Thus really even on Apple devices we have little privacy if we use iCloud.

The only cloud you can trust is your own cloud. NASs such as QNAP and Synology are getting very popular with people that don't trust mega-cloud operations. Accessing your own NAS with a VPN is about the best security you're going to get, an no one will be mining your data. Virtually all the storage space you'll ever need and a ton of additional features.

 

[marpies]

So, TL;DR, it seems that I should restart my phone every day.

Actually you should never authenticate after you restart, just to be safe.

 

[Schranke]

I wouldn't mind sacrificing some speed when logging in/opening applications to have my phone in a state of "complete protection" when ever I lock it. I do however have no idea what impact this will have for calls, text and other notifications. But we are at a place where the iPhone is fast enough that added security shouldn't be noticed to much on new models

 

[mookc1]

I wouldn't mind sacrificing some speed when logging in/opening applications to have my phone in a state of "complete protection" when ever I lock it. I do however have no idea what impact this will have for calls, text and other notifications. But we are at a place where the iPhone is fast enough that added security shouldn't be noticed to much on new models

I agree. Let the user decide on the encryption level and if the potential performance trade-off is worth it.

 

[aid]

I wouldn't mind sacrificing some speed when logging in/opening applications to have my phone in a state of "complete protection" when ever I lock it. I do however have no idea what impact this will have for calls, text and other notifications. But we are at a place where the iPhone is fast enough that added security shouldn't be noticed to much on new models

The problem is that enforcing the "complete protection" at all times would result in you having to enter your password every time you use your phone. Nor would the phone be able to perform background operations whilst it was locked - such as check email, accept incoming notifications etc. The impact is not about a couple millisecond delay as users start using the phone - but real changes to the user experience.

All of security it a balance between privacy and convenience; I think Apple's balance in iOS is pretty good - and appropriate for something like 99.5% of the users out there.

 

[dvanwinkle]

So, TL;DR, it seems that I should restart my phone every day.

You don't have to restart your phone. Hitting the power button 5 times in a row forces the phone into the Complete Protection mode as well.

 

[Mike_Trivisonno]

Just assume you are living under the Stasi in East Germany. "The Lives of Others" only with near instantaneous acquisition of every minutia of your life readily available to your friendly, freedom-loving government agents and their minions.

 

[I7guy]

iOS does not utilize built-in encryption measures as much as it could do, allowing for potentially unnecessary security vulnerabilities, according to cryptographers at Johns Hopkins University (via Wired).

Using publicly available documentation from Apple and Google, law enforcement reports about bypassing mobile security features, and their own analysis, the cryptographers assessed the robustness of iOS and Android encryption. The research found that while encryption infrastructure on iOS "sounds really good," it is largely left unused:



When an iPhone boots up, all stored data is in a state of "Complete Protection," and the user must unlock the device before anything can be decrypted. While this is extremely secure, the researchers highlighted that once the device has been unlocked for the first time after a reboot, a large amount of data moves into a state Apple calls "Protected Until First User Authentication."

Since devices are rarely restarted, most data is in a state of "Protected Until First User Authentication" rather than "Complete Protection" most of the time. The advantage of this less secure state is that decryption keys are stored in quick access memory, where they can be swiftly accessed by applications.

In theory, an attacker could find and exploit certain types of security vulnerabilities in iOS to obtain encryption keys in the quick access memory, enabling them to decrypt large amounts of data from the device. It is believed that this is how many smartphone access tools work, such as those from the forensic access company Grayshift.

While it is true that attackers require a specific operating system vulnerability to access the keys, and both Apple and Google patch many of these flaws as they are noticed, it may be avoidable by hiding encryption keys more deeply.



The researchers also shared their findings and a number of technical recommendations with Apple directly. A spokesperson for Apple offered a public statement in response:



The spokesperson also told Wired that Apple's security work is primarily focused on protecting users from hackers, thieves, and criminals looking to steal personal information. They also noted that the types of attacks the researchers highlighted are very costly to develop, require physical access to the target device, and only work until Apple releases a patch. Apple also emphasized that its objective with iOS is to balance security and convenience.

Article Link: Many iOS Encryption Measures 'Unused,' Say Cryptographers

Does my iphone have to be, or need to be rebooted every day?

 

[iapplelove]

Then what was the slogan all about “what’s on iPhone stays on iPhone” ? Or something like that lol

 

[lkrupp]

The last paragraph is the most important.

The spokesperson also told Wired that Apple's security work is primarily focused on protecting users from hackers, thieves, and criminals looking to steal personal information. They also noted that the types of attacks the researchers highlighted are very costly to develop, require physical access to the target device, and only work until Apple releases a patch. Apple also emphasized that its objective with iOS is to balance security and convenience.

So all you worrywarts out there thinking Apple security is crap need to take chill pill and relax. If you had 100% security you wouldn’t be able to use your device.

 

[nt5672]

I agree. Let the user decide on the encryption level and if the potential performance trade-off is worth it.

Never gonna happen. Apple's target demographic is teenagers and twenty-somethings, which Apple considers total idiots that must be protected. Only Apple knows what is safe and what is not.

 

[Jimmy James]

The biggest problem for me is that Apple planned to make iCloud backups end to end encrypted but this was thwarted.

Thus really even on Apple devices we have little privacy if we use iCloud.

Isn’t iCloud using Amazon servers? Quadruple ouch.

 

[Jimmy James]

You don't have to restart your phone. Hitting the power button 5 times in a row forces the phone into the Complete Protection mode as well.

You even get an audible alert!

 

[WWPD]

That's all fine and well, but can we talk about that crap lock graphic for a second? ???

They updated it...that's a first.

 

[Internet Enzyme]

Seems like a reasonable tradeoff to me. I’m sure that keeping everything in Complete Protection all the time would be expensive and unnecessary, given that this Protected Until First User Authentication mode—which seems to require something sophisticated like a GrayKey to even attempt at breaching it—provides 90% of the security, while also being way more amenable to quick and frequent device unlocks and low energy background processing

 

[pbush25]

Since devices are rarely restarted, most data is in a state of "Protected Until First User Authentication" rather than "Complete Protection" most of the time.

While this is true, that’s not the whole story. Your data enters Protected Until First User Authentication also after failed biometric authentication, or 24 hours without biometric authentication if the phone supports that as well. So it does happen more frequently than just after a restart.

 

[AngerDanger]

Then what was the slogan all about “what’s on iPhone stays on iPhone” ? Or something like that lol

My guess is that the original was more accurate but less eloquent.