404Media: GrayKey Tool Bypasses iPhone 72-Hour Inactivity Reboot Security
- A cyber-weapons arms manufacturer has developed a mechanism to exploit a security vulnerability in iOS, bypassing the iPhone automatic reboot feature designed to protect inactive devices, 404Media reported.
- The technology allowing access to locked phones was created by Magnet Forensics.
- Apple's built-in security feature automatically forces an iPhone into a restricted, highly secure state if the device sits unused for 72 hours.
Magnet Forensics Builds Hardware to Bypass iOS 72-Hour Security
A cyber-weapons arms manufacturer has developed a mechanism to exploit a security vulnerability in iOS, bypassing the iPhone automatic reboot feature designed to protect inactive devices, 404Media reported.
Hardware Designed for Police and Law Enforcement Agencies
The technology allowing access to locked phones was created by Magnet Forensics. The firm produces GrayKey, a digital extraction tool sold to police and law enforcement agencies to unlock iPhones and Android devices. According to a leaked video analyzed in the reporting, Magnet built a dedicated hardware device called GrayKey Preserve alongside a companion feature named Evidence Preservation Mode for its standard GrayKey units.
Targeting the 72-Hour Inactivity Window
Apple’s built-in security feature automatically forces an iPhone into a restricted, highly secure state if the device sits unused for 72 hours. This inactivity reboot makes certain stored data entirely unavailable to external tools. The newly revealed equipment specifically targets that 72-hour window.
Leaked Promotional Video Details Permanent Data Access
This is an absolute game changer for iOS forensics and a function that I wish we had years ago.
Magnet employee
An unnamed employee speaking in the leaked promotional video noted that the software solution directly addresses the data locks triggered by the inactivity reboot. The tools are likewise engineered to circumvent a separate automatic deletion protocol on iOS devices. That protocol scrubs cached location data, recently deleted photographs, and iMessages after a predetermined number of days.
We’re gonna be able to preserve that data for an infinite amount of time.
Magnet employee
Expected Vulnerability Patches from Apple
AI turns out to be really good at this sort of thing.