jailbreak
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Researchers reveal Tesla jailbreak that could unlock Full Self-Driving for free
Researchers say they have found a hardware exploit with Tesla’s infotainment system that could unlock paid upgrades for free, including Full Self-Driving and heated rear seats. They used a technique called voltage glitching, which involves tinkering with the supply voltage of the infotainment system's processor.
There’s an apparent PS5 jailbreak, but only for old firmware
The exploit has some major restrictions, but it could kickstart the console's jailbreaking scene.
HomePod's first jailbreak opens the door to unofficial features
The first known HomePod jailbreak has opened the possibility of modifying Apple's smart speaker, although it carries plenty of risk.
Apple releases iOS 13.5.1 to fix the flaw behind a well-known jailbreak
Less than two weeks after Apple released iOS 13.5, the company is rolling out iOS 13.5.1 to patch the vulnerability that enabled a high-profile jailbreak.
The latest iOS jailbreak cracks virtually any iPhone
A new jailbreak can open up virtually any iOS device, including ones using Apple's latest software.
iPhone exploit could allow permanent jailbreak for millions of devices
Jailbreaks seemed to be a thing of the past, but last month, a security research released the first free, public iPhone jailbreak in years. Now, another security researcher has discovered an exploit that could make it possible to permanently jailbreak any iPhone from the 2011 4S to the 2017 iPhone X and 8/Plus.
Apple re-fixes a bug that let users jailbreak iPhones
Apple fixed a vulnerability that temporarily allowed hackers to jailbreak iPhones. The bug was first fixed in iOS 12.3 but reintroduced in iOS 12.4. Hackers discovered the flaw earlier this month and shared a free public jailbreak just for the fun of it. Today, Apple released iOS 12.4.1, which should take care of the vulnerability once and for all.
Hackers make jailbreaking iPhones a thing again
In the iPhone's early days, hackers would "jailbreak" the iPhone in order to install third-party apps that weren't available through the App Store. It's been a while since anyone seriously needed to jailbreak their iPhone, as there are plenty of apps and more customizable operating systems to choose from. But this weekend, hackers dusted off their jailbreaking skills when a vulnerability was discovered in iOS 12.4. Security researcher Pwn20wnd released the first free public jailbreak for a fully updated iPhone in years.
Cydia's app store for jailbroken iPhones shuts down purchases (updated)
For years, people with jailbroken iPhones have turned to the Cydia Store to download apps that Apple wouldn't allow through its own portal. You might want to scramble for an alternative if you're one of those users, however. Service creator Jay Freeman (aka Saurik) has shut down purchases in the Cydia Store citing a combination of costs and security issues. It "loses [him] money" and, when there were multiple staffers, cost him a significant chunk of his "sanity." And while Freeman had already planned to close store purchases by the end of 2018, he bumped it up a week after learning of a security hole that let let someone buy apps through your account if you were logged in and browsing untrusted app repositories.
Sony sues California man for selling jailbroken PS4 consoles
There hasn't been much piracy in the PS4's five-year history, but that's been changing ever since users started discovering jailbreaks that would allow running unofficial software -- and Sony is eager to put a swift stop to it. The company has sued California resident Eric Scales for selling jailbroken PS4s on eBay and his own site with piracy in mind. Scales allegedly violated both Sony's copyrights and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act by circumventing the console's copy protection and loading systems with bootlegged games like Call of Duty: WWII and God of War.
This day in Engadget history: The iPhone jailbreak era begins
Engadget has been around for 14 years and counting, which means our archives contain a veritable treasure trove of technology history. From notable reviews and news to the more mundane or ridiculous finds from across the internet, there's a lot to explore here. "This Day in Engadget History" will take you on a historical voyage as we look at what made the headlines in years past. Join us, won't you? It's definitely been a while since anyone seriously needed to jailbreak their iPhone. While undoubtedly some people still do, it seems like there's little need now that we've seen the tenth anniversary of the iOS App Store. There are plenty of apps these days and a whole different OS (Google's Android) for those who want something a little more customizable.
iOS malware uses copy protection to infect 'pure' devices
Ne'er-do-wells have so far exploited holes in Apple's FairPlay copy protection primarily to distribute pirated iOS apps, but it now looks like they're turning their energy toward hurting users. Palo Alto Networks says it has discovered AceDeceiver, the first malware that uses FairPlay to infect its targets. Install a bogus iOS management utility for Windows (Aisi Helper) and the software will launch a man-in-the middle attack that grabs app authorization codes and uses those to install infected apps on any iOS device you connect to the system. Unlike many iOS attacks, this doesn't require that the target use a jailbroken device -- the apps are allowed to run as if they were completely legitimate.
Hackers get Linux running on a PlayStation 4
In the two years since the PlayStation 4 first went on sale, hackers have enjoyed limited success in their efforts to open up the console. In June, a Brazilian team claimed the first PS4 "jailbreak," which involved the cumbersome process of copying the entire hard drive of a hacked machine using a Raspberry Pi, but it took until this month for a tinkerer to fully circumvent Sony's content protections. With a proper exploit in the wild, homebrew group fail0verflow took on the challenge of installing a full version of Linux on the system. It achieved its goal this week, giving the homebrew community hope that the PlayStation 4 will soon become a worthy tool in their arsenal.
Malware swipes 225,000 Apple accounts through jailbroken iPhones
Jailbreaking an iPhone gives you the freedom to run the apps and interfaces you want (rather than those allowed by Apple), but it also carries some inherent risks -- you're giving apps much more control over your phone. And unfortunately, some of these users are discovering this the hard way. Researchers have discovered a strain of iOS malware, nicknamed KeyRaider, that has stolen over 225,000 Apple IDs from jailbroken devices. The software takes advantage of Chinese app repositories that let people directly upload and share their own titles. If you happen to download the code, it'll either scoop up your Apple account data (to give rogue users "free" apps) or hold your phone for ransom.
Apple Watch hack puts a tiny browser on your wrist
Still trying to find a use for your Apple Watch? Noted jailbreaker Comex has an idea: browse the internet an inch-and-a-half at a time. In a short video, he shows off the Google search bar, which, due to the display's minuscule size, only fits on-screen a portion at a time. From there you can see iOS' "copy/define" dialog boxes and that's about it, really. Apologies if you were expecting something a bit crazier, but possible jailbreaks apparently aren't all that exciting in the embryonic stages. Watch doesn't have a native browser, of course, and 9to5Mac notes that Comex hasn't mentioned anything about releasing the hack to the public either, so if or when you'll get to try it out for yourself is anyone's guess at this point.
Fraudster's phoney email tricked prison into releasing him
In the movies, a daring prison escape usually involves a carefully orchestrated plan filled with intricate tunnels, ingenious bribes and chaotic distractions. But for Neil Moore, performing a similar breakout in the real world was so much simpler. With the aid of a smuggled mobile phone, he was able to set up an email address with a domain that closely resembled Her Majesty's Court Service. He then sent a forged letter approving his release to the prison, hoping they wouldn't inspect the document or sender's credentials too closely. Low and behold, the wardens were convinced of its authenticity (despite misspelling "Southwark" Crown Court) and Moore walked free in March 2014.
Pangu releases 8.0-8.1 jailbreak tool for OS X
Pangu -- the downloadable tool that became a household name in the jailbreak community after the release of iOS 7.1 -- has finally released a Mac-compatible version of its 8.0/8.1 app. Just like the Windows version, the new OS X version walks you through the process of freeing your iOS device from the restrictions it has from the factory. Personally, I've had a great deal of success with Pangu on Windows, and it's always performed flawlessly across any iOS device I've decided to jailbreak. The OS X release is great news, and assuming it works as well as it does on Windows, it should have no problem quickly accomplishing its task. That being said, jailbreaking comes with risks that include accidentally bricking your device or otherwise rendering it unusable, so proceed accordingly.
InfoWorld is so, so wrong about iOS jailbreaking
Today, InfoWorld published an article by Galen Gruman about iOS jailbreaking. In it, Gruman makes the argument that iOS jailbreakers -- who, by Gruman's estimation, "deserve" viruses and malware -- are moving to Android. His theory is that since Android offers lots of customization and is already a platform on which malware thrives, iOS users who want more freedom would rather just switch teams... and get malware and a highly customizable OS from the start. There is so much wrong with this article from beginning to end that it would take me 2,000 words to correct everything, so I'll just point out the most troubling bits. For starters, this: "First, there are no legitimate jailbreaks for iOS 7.1, which is what most iOS devices now run." This isn't just a misinformed statement -- it's a complete lie. In June, a team of Chinese hackers released a jailbreak tool for iOS 7.1, which many thought would never be done. Called Pangu, the tool has been updated consistently and now supports even the most recent iOS 7.1.2 patch. It takes roughly five minutes from the time you plug your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch into your computer for the hack to free your device and install Cydia, the jailbreaker's app store. I know all of this because I have an iPod touch that I have jailbroken using Pangu, and it performed flawlessly. Early warnings about the tool -- which were legitimate worries, given that the jailbreak community hadn't seen anything from this team of hackers prior to Pangu -- were put to rest by highly reputable members of the jailbreak community, such as iH8sn0w and MuscleNerd. In the world of iOS jailbreaking, the endorsement of hackers such as these are as good as gold. Right now, Pangu is as good as it gets, and it's performed flawlessly for me as well. Suggesting there are no current jailbreaks available is the very definition of out-of-touch. Then there's this: "Jailbreaking your iPhone or iPad is a dangerous activity, with lots of malware masquerading as legitimate jailbreak tools." I'll tackle this as two separate statements. Yes, there are lots of sites out there trying to trick you into downloading something shady, but no, jailbreaking your iOS device isn't inherently dangerous. Do you find it dangerous to check your email, where wealthy African princes are looking to make a deal? How about when you look up a prescription drug online, and the search results are filled with overseas "pharmacies" selling expensive drugs for pennies? No? Then you'll be just fine when it comes to jailbreaking. iOS jailbreak scams are just like any other, and all it takes is an absolute minimum of research to spot the fakes and learn where to find completely safe software tools. If you find yourself on iOS-FREE-JAILBREAK-XXX-BEST-DOWNLOAD(dot)com, you've probably wandered into a not-so-reputable part of the web, and you should leave as soon as possible. However, if you head to a place like Redmond Pie, or the official Pangu website, you can almost certainly put your mind at ease. Claiming that even venturing into the world of jailbreaking is going to end in tears is fear-mongering, and nothing more. Oh, and as far as the theory that iOS jailbreaking is dying because users who enjoy it are simply moving to Android, I'll go ahead and say "no" to that as well. iOS is offering more freedom than ever before. With every new iteration, Apple gives users a little bit more freedom, and gradually lessening the desire for users to jailbreak. iOS 8 is taking it another step further, by allowing customized keyboards, battery usage breakdowns, and QuickReply for messaging. iOS users aren't jumping ship -- Apple is just eliminating their desire to jailbreak in the first place. So to Gruman, the only advice I have is to maybe spend a little bit of time in the world of iOS jailbreaking. Learn the names and faces, and discover why people decide to free their devices in the first place. It's not such a scary place after all. [Photo credit: David Bleasdale (locks)]
iOS 7.1.1 jailbreak tutorial video makes it look easy
YouTube user Macmixing has posted a tutorial video on how to jailbreak iOS 7.1.1. The process can be intimidating for some, but this video walks you through the process step by step. There are a pair of caveats here. You'll need Pangu's tool and a Windows computer to get the job done; we'll leave it to you to find a download spot for this tool if you deem it necessary to jailbreak your devices. So, have at it if you're interested. Just be aware of the risks. If you don't know what you're doing, this is not a good idea.
Nest Learning Thermostat has its security cracked open by GTVHacker
While we wait for Google I/O (which starts tomorrow) to find out what will become of the company's TV platform, a team that we've seen bust open the padlocks on Google TV, Chromecast and Roku has a new target. GTVHacker just revealed an exploit for the (now Google-owned, and owner of Dropcam) Nest Learning Thermostat. It could let owners do new and interesting things (like replace the Nest software entirely) but of course, someone with bad intentions could take it in another direction: monitor whether the owner is home via its motion detector, sniff network traffic, or just crank up the temperature a few degrees -- all without even opening the device. Interested in how the hack works? Like most jailbreaking techniques we've seen on mobile and home connected platforms it requires physical access to the device, so you don't have to worry bout someone wardriving down the block and wreaking havoc with your A/C. Check after the break for more details and a video, and if you're headed to DEFCON in August, the team has a demonstration planned that's oh-so-comfortingly titled "Hack All the Things." Update: Nest has responded, saying the team's software "doesn't compromise the security of our servers or the connections to them and to the best of our knowledge, no devices have been accessed and compromised remotely." [Image credit: gpshead/Flickr]
