Trustwave SpiderLabs Guide: Jailbreaking Apple iOS 17 and Above

PLEASE NOTE: Jailbreaking any phone has the potential to permanently damage your device. Even if successful, you will be voiding your warranty and will no longer receive any official security or firmware updates. This could put your data at risk as well via malicious and trojaned “off market” apps. If you wish to jailbreak a device, please do so with caution.

Jailbreaking Apple iOS devices is a well-known practice that enables Apple device owners to in unauthorized access to the device’s root file system, enabling the user to remove restrictions imposed by Apple. Essentially, jailbreaking is a way to bypass the limitations set by Apple on what apps and features can be installed on an iOS device.

Perhaps not surprisingly, it is hard to find a safe and trustworthy guide or method content on the Internet about jailbreaking devices. It's important to exercise caution when searching, as there is a risk of encountering scams or malicious content. The jailbreaking process involves exploiting vulnerabilities in the device's operating system, and scammers often take advantage of users seeking to jailbreak a device by offering fake guides, tools, or services.

The Current iOS Version is iOS 17.2.1.

I recently had an engagement where the iOS application has a minimum version requirement of iOS 17, meaning it will only work on iOS 17 and above. We all know that iOS 17 is quite new so it would be a challenge to find a Jailbreak for it.

Palera1n to the Rescue

Palera1n has released a v2.0.0 beta 8: Dusk jailbreak exploit for iOS 17 in October 2023. However, there’s a caveat, it will only work on devices that have an A11 chip and older.

Figure 1: Palera1n Beta Release

So, I tried it using an iPad 10.2" Gen 7 (A10 chip) and it works. I was able to jailbreak it and install the application successfully.

Figure 2: palera1n jailbreak

Figure 3: iPad 10.2" Gen 7 (A10 chip) Jailbroken.

Sileo is the New Cydia

Sileo is an alternative package manager for jailbroken iOS devices. It serves as an alternative to Cydia, which has traditionally been the primary package manager used in the jailbreaking community.

Cydia and Sileo provide a platform for users to discover, download, and install tweaks, themes, and modifications that are not available through the official App Store. Starting with iOS & iPadOS 15 and above, Sileo package manager has become the default for most new jailbreaks such as palera1n and checkra1n.

While Sileo has gained popularity, Cydia still remains a prominent package manager in the jailbreaking community. The choice between Sileo and Cydia often depends on the jailbreaking tool used and personal preferences.

Cat and Mouse

When a new jailbreak is released, a device manufacturer such as Apple responds by issuing software updates that patch the vulnerabilities exploited by the jailbreaker. These updates not only fix security flaws, but also aim to close any loopholes that allowed users to jailbreak the devices.

The jailbreaking community, in turn, searches for new exploits and vulnerabilities in the updated operating system. When successful, they release updated jailbreaking tools that can bypass the latest security measures.

Mitigation:

It's important to note that no security measure is unfailing, and determined attackers may find a way to circumvent the safety protocol. However, manufacturers should conduct regular security audits of their app's codebase and architecture can significantly increase the security of the app and deter casual attempts to compromise its integrity on jailbroken devices.

It’s also smart for a manufacturer to stay informed about new jailbreaking techniques and update your app's security measures accordingly.

References:

https://github.com/palera1n/palera1n/releases

https://idevicecentral.com/jailbreak-guide/how-to-jailbreak-ios-17/