Cellebrite Mobile Synchronization is an Israeli company that manufactures data extraction, transmission and analysis equipment for cell phones and other mobile devices. The company is a subsidiary of the Japanese Sun Corporation.
In addition to various mobile devices, Cellebrite can hack web-based applications, accounts and the like – the company receives orders from law enforcement agencies, intelligence services and other companies interested in encrypted data. Now the digital forensics specialist claims to have iPhone and iPad devices under iOS 12.3 to be able to hack completely in a locked state – according to their own statements, Cellebrite is even capable of cracking all iPhone and iPad devices – even under older iOS versions. In fact, it says on their own website that Cellebrite “can perform a complete file system extraction on any iOS device”. This is made possible by new hardware that has special software. According to this, the tool can determine passwords and unlock devices in order to extract all data such as emails, chat histories, images, etc. The product is Universal Forensic Extraction Device and is intended primarily to serve law enforcement agencies and intelligence services.
Cellebrite is no stranger
In addition to iPhone and iPad devices, other mobile devices can also be hacked. According to Cellebrite, the tool can even restore and extract deleted data from Samsung models. The digital forensics experts have already attracted attention in the past. Cellebrite was able to help the FBI when Apple was unwilling. At the time, the company cracked the iPhone 5c of the San Bernardino killer Syed Rizwan Farook.
Whether that Universal Forensic Extraction Device actually does what it promises remains unanswered for the time being - but Cellebrite should not be underestimated in this regard. According to the company, the tool is only sold to authorities - but that is no guarantee that such devices will not end up on the black market. After all, it would not be the first time that such tools have come into the possession of private individuals. (Image: Cellebrite)
