Cellebrite

Cellebrite can't crack iPhones running iOS 17.4 or later

Leaked documents claim that Cellebrite software used by law enforcement agencies cannot unlock any more recent models than 2018's iPhone XR if they've been updated to iOS 17.4.

William Gallagher | 5 months ago

Cellebrite trains law enforcement to maintain iPhone-hacking secrets

Cellebrite, the firm behind forensic devices used by law enforcement agencies to access data on seized iPhones, attempted to keep its technology secrets hidden, by telling its users to keep the hardware's existence as "hush hush as possible."

Malcolm Owen | 1 year ago

Most US Cabinet Departments have bought Cellebrite iPhone hacking tool

A new report claims that 14 out of 15 US Cabinet Departments bought Cellebrite, the iOS unlocking technology, with the company saying 2,800 of its customers work in the government.

William Gallagher | 2 years ago

Cellebrite removes iPhone data extraction from most capable product

Because of a crippling vulnerability, Cellebrite disabled the iPhone data extraction feature on its Physical Analyzer tool.

Wesley Hilliard | 3 years ago

Signal hacks Cellebrite device, reveals vulnerabilities and potential Apple copyright concerns

The CEO of secure messaging app Signal has hacked a phone unlocking device made by Cellebrite, revealing critical vulnerabilities that could be used against police investigators.

Mike Peterson | 3 years ago

Cellebrite and other iPhone hacking tools purchased by U.S. public schools

U.S. public schools are acquiring forensic tools meant for police and military use to hack into student and faculty iPhones across the U.S.

Wesley Hilliard | 4 years ago

Over 2,000 law enforcement agencies have iPhone encryption-breaking tools

Law enforcement agencies across the United States have tools to access data stored on encrypted iPhones, a report claims, with at least 2,000 agencies in the country now having the means to gain access to further their criminal investigations.

Malcolm Owen | 4 years ago

Cellebrite pitching iPhone hacking tools as a way to stop COVID-19

Multiple smartphone surveillance and data extraction companies, including iPhone hacking firm Cellebrite, are pitching their products to governments as an alternative method of tracking the spread of COVID-19.

Mike Peterson | 4 years ago

Cellebrite tool used to extract data from Lev Parnas' iPhone for impeachment trial

Documents released to support the impeachment trial include information seemingly taken from an iPhone by Cellebrite — the firm believed to have performed similar extractions for the FBI.

William Gallagher | 4 years ago

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Cellebrite expands to Mac forensic tools with $33M BlackBag purchase

Cellebrite, a digital forensic company known for assisting law enforcement in unlocking iPhones, is expanding its reach to other platforms, with the purchase of rival firm BlackBag adding PC and Mac forensic services to its portfolio.

Malcolm Owen | 4 years ago

The FBI has the tools it needs to break into the iPhone, and shouldn't ask for backdoors

Demands from the FBI and Attorney General William Barr for Apple to provide more help to the ongoing Pensacola shooter investigation did not need to be made, as security experts have pointed out the existence of hacking tools that could have granted access to locked iPhones — which law enforcement has at their disposal already.

Mike Wuerthele and Malcolm Owen | 4 years ago

Cellebrite says it can pull data from any iOS device ever made

Israeli mobile device forensics company Cellebrite proclaimed on Friday that it can break into any iOS device, including those running iOS 12.3.

Mike Wuerthele | 5 years ago

Cellebrite iPhone hacking tools selling on eBay for as little as $100

Meant to be used only by law enforcement, Cellebrite hacking tools for iPhones and other smartphones are reportedly selling on eBay for sums as low as $100.

Roger Fingas | 5 years ago

Apple's iOS 11.4 update with 'USB Restricted Mode' may defeat tools like GrayKey

The iOS 11.4 beta contains a new feature called USB Restricted Mode, designed to defeat physical data access by third parties — possibly with forensic firms like Grayshift and Cellebrite in mind.

Roger Fingas | 6 years ago

Cellebrite executive insists iPhone unlocking has a 'public safety imperative'

Cellebrite offers its services to law enforcement for the welfare of the public, an executive of the security firm known for breaking the security of iOS and other devices claims in an interview, while also stressing the firm's tools are not a major risk to the privacy of iPhone users in general.

Malcolm Owen | 6 years ago

Cellebrite advertises its ability to unlock devices running iOS 11, including the iPhone X, to government agencies

Cellebrite, the Israeli security firm believed to have helped the FBI unlock an iPhone during the San Bernardino investigation, is claiming it is capable of bypassing the security of devices running iOS 11 and older versions, including recently launched hardware including the iPhone 8 and iPhone X.

Malcolm Owen | 6 years ago

Spanish media claims iPhone 6 with Secure Enclave unlocked by Cellebrite in course of investigation

Media reports are claiming that an iPhone 6 that was dredged out of the water in Spain has been unlocked by Cellebrite, and if accurate would be the first publicized report of Apple's Secure Enclave having been penetrated by third party hacking tools.

Mike Wuerthele | 7 years ago

Sen. Feinstein claims FBI paid $900K to crack San Bernardino shooter's iPhone

The FBI paid approximately $900,000 to a third party to help break into the iPhone 5c of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook, U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein said recently when questioning FBI director James Comey at a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing.

Roger Fingas | 7 years ago

Cellebrite director says firm now doing 'lawful' extraction of data through iPhone 6

Cellebrite — the firm thought to be responsible for helping the FBI extract data from the iPhone of San Bernardino shooter Syed Rizwan Farook — is doing "lawful unlocking and evidence extraction" from Apple devices through the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, according to the company's Forensics Research director.