Grayshift, the company behind the iPhone unlocking tool GrayKey, claims that it has found a workaround Apple's iOS 12 feature called "USB Restricted Mode."
What Is USB Restricted Mode?
On Wednesday, June 13, Apple confirmed that in the latest iOS 12 beta, there's a new security feature called USB Restricted Mode, which blocks data transfer over USB if the phone has not been unlocked for an hour.
This means that if the user did not unlock the iPhone using the passcode for at least an hour, the feature would prevent any data transfer through the lightning port. In such cases, USB accessories connected to the phone can only be used to charge the device.
This security feature will make it substantially harder for law enforcement agencies and other parties to extract information from Apple devices.
Initially, the iOS security feature required an accessory to be plugged into an unlocked device, or asked users to key in their passcode, once in seven days. However, that time limit has been shortened to an hour.
When the USB Restricted Mode is on, a passcode is essentially required to transfer data through the device's USB connection unless the user has been actively using the device.
The company said that the security feature was added to protect the privacy of iPhone owners. The security feature would make things difficult for law enforcement officials and criminals, who gain access to one's iPhone using unlocking tools like GrayKey.
Grayshift Claims It Has Found A Way To Crack The Security Feature
Now, an unidentified forensic expert claims that GrayShift has already found a way to defeat iOS 12's USB Restricted Mode.
"Grayshift has gone to great lengths to future proof their technology and stated that they have already defeated this security feature in the beta build," reads an email obtained by Vice. "Additionally, the GrayKey has built in future capabilities that will begin to be leveraged as time goes on."
The email does not specify how the company figured out a way around the security feature. However, a second person who replied to the email did point out that Grayshift addressed USB Restricted Mode in a webinar held several weeks ago.
Of course, it remains to be seen whether the forensic expert is speaking the truth or it's just a bluff, though one would have to question that strategy as it would only push Apple to add more stringent features to render tools like GrayKey useless.
