JailbreakMe
JailbreakMe is a series of jailbreaks for Apple's iOS mobile operating system that take advantage of flaws in the Safari browser on the device,[1] providing an immediate one-step jailbreak unlike more common jailbreaks, such as Blackra1n and redsn0w, that require plugging the device into a computer and running the jailbreaking software from the desktop. Jailbreaking allows users to install software that is not approved by Apple on their iPod Touch, iPhone, and iPad; JailbreakMe automatically includes Cydia, a package management interface that serves as an alternative to the App Store.
 JailbreakMe 2.0 on iPod Touch 4G | |
| Developer(s) | Muddaser, Farache, comex, et al. |
|---|---|
| Stable release | 3.0
/ July 6, 2011 |
| Operating system | iOS |
| Type | iOS jailbreaking |
| License | Freeware |
| Website | jailbreakme |
JailbreakMe's first version in 2007 worked on iPhone and iPod Touch firmware 1.1.1, the second version was released in August 2010 for firmware 4.0.1 and earlier, and the third and final version was released in July 2011 for iOS versions 4.3 to 4.3.3 (and was the first jailbreak for the iPad 2). JailbreakMe 3.0 has been used to jailbreak at least two million devices.[2]
Versions
JailbreakMe 1.0 (iOS 1.1.1)
JailbreakMe, started in 2007, was originally used to jailbreak the iPhone and iPod Touch running the 1.1.1 version of iOS, then named iPhone OS. Using a TIFF exploit against Safari, this installed Installer.app.[3] The vulnerability used in this exploit was patched by Apple in the 1.1.2 firmware.
This tool, also called "AppSnapp", was created by a group of nine developers.[4]
JailbreakMe 2.0 (iOS 3.1.2–4.0.1)
JailbreakMe 2.0 "Star", released by comex on August 1, 2010, exploits a vulnerability in the FreeType library used while rendering PDF files. This was the first publicly available jailbreak for the iPhone 4, able to jailbreak iOS 3.1.2 through 4.0.1 on the iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad models then current.[5] This jailbreak was activated by visiting the jailbreakme.com web page on the device's Safari web browser.
The vulnerability used by JailbreakMe 2.0 was patched by Apple in iOS 4.0.2.[6]
JailbreakMe 3.0 (iOS 4.3–4.3.3)
JailbreakMe 3.0 "Saffron", released on July 6, 2011, will jailbreak most iOS devices on iOS 4.3-4.3.3 and iPad 2 on 4.3.3.[7] It is the first publicly available jailbreak for iPad 2. JailbreakMe 3.0 exploits a FreeType parser security flaw (similar to JailbreakMe 2.0), using the form of a PDF file rendered by Mobile Safari, which then uses a kernel vulnerability to complete the untethered jailbreak.[8][9] Comex also released a patch for this FreeType flaw, called "PDF Patcher 2", which is available as a free package installable via Cydia.[10]
A few days before initial release, a beta tester leaked JailbreakMe 3.0 to the public. Comex said on Twitter, that this put him on a "time limit" to release the final version quickly.[10]
The JailbreakMe website looks similar to downloading an App Store app. It includes a blue button saying "FREE", which turns into a green button with the word "INSTALL" when pressed once, much like any application on the App Store. After tapping "INSTALL", Safari closes, Cydia loads as a new app, and the device is now fully jailbroken with no reboot necessary.
On July 15, 2011, Apple released iOS 4.3.4 (GSM) and 4.2.9 (CDMA) to patch the flaws used by JailbreakMe.[11]
Comex received a Pwnie Award at the Black Hat Conference in 2011 for "Best Client-Side Bug" for this work.[12]
Comex was hired by Apple as an intern in August, 2011.[13]
JailbreakMe 4.0 (iOS 9.1–9.3.4)
JailbreakMe 4.0, released by tihmstar on December 12, 2017, exploits three serious vulnerabilities (CVE-2016-4655, CVE-2016-4656 and CVE-2016-4657), already exploited by a spyware named Pegasus. It's mainly based on HomeDepot, a semi untethered jailbreak released by jk9357. As for HomeDepot, it targets all the 32 bit devices between iOS 9.1 and iOS 9.3.4.
The vulnerabilities used by HomeDepot and JailbreakMe 4.0 were patched by Apple in iOS 9.3.5
The jailbreak is hosted by Chris Wade (creator of Corellium) at jailbreak.me. Whilst technically semi-untethered, the jailbreak can be made fully untethered with the use of tihmstar's UntetherHomeDepot package.
TotallyNotSpyware (iOS 10)
TotallyNotSpyware by the team "JakeBlair420", released on 7 September 2018, is a JailBreakMe-style exploit that works on any 64-bit device running iOS 10. As with jailbreakme 4.0, the web browser is induced to sideload Cydia using a payload, either Meridian or the doubleH3lix. It is hosted at spyware.lol, and is semi-untethered.
Domain name transfer
On October 7, 2011, Conceited Apps, which had been allowing Comex to use the domain name for hosting sold the domain name jailbreakme.com to an allegedly "unknown" party. SaurikIT acquired the domain the next day.[14][15]
Domain redirection
jailbreakme.com was redirecting to cydia.saurik.com if you were on an incompatible device. Later, it redirects to totally-not.spyware.lol
Compatible iOS versions
| Device | iOS versions vulnerable to JailbreakMe |
|---|---|
| iPhone (1st generation) | 1.1.1, 3.1.2 to 3.1.3 |
| iPhone 3G | 3.1.2 to 4.0.1 |
| iPhone 3GS | 3.1.2 to 4.0.1, 4.3 to 4.3.3 |
| iPhone 4 (GSM) | 4.0 to 4.0.1, 4.3 to 4.3.3 |
| iPhone 4 (CDMA) | 4.2.6 to 4.2.8 |
| iPhone 4S and later | None |
| iPod Touch (1st generation) | 1.1.1, 3.1.2 to 3.1.3 |
| iPod Touch (2nd generation) | 3.1.2 to 4.0.1 |
| iPod Touch (3rd generation) | 3.1.2 to 4.0.1, 4.3 to 4.3.3 |
| iPod Touch (4th generation) | 4.3 to 4.3.3 |
| iPod Touch (5th generation) and later | None |
| iPad (1st generation) | 3.2 to 3.2.1, 4.3 to 4.3.3 |
| iPad 2 | 4.3.3 |
| iPad (3rd generation) and later | None |
| iPad Mini (all models) | None |
References
- Bradley, Tony (August 3, 2010). "JailbreakMe Exploits Serious iPhone Security Flaw". Net Work. PCWorld Communications, Inc. Retrieved October 15, 2010.
- Greenberg, Andy (August 1, 2011). "Meet Comex, The 19-Year-Old iPhone Uber-Hacker Who Keeps Outsmarting Apple". The Firewall. Forbes. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- Wilson, Ben (October 29, 2007). "One-step method for adding third-party apps to iPhone 1.1.1, iPod Touch debuts". CNET. Archived from the original on March 13, 2012. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- Keizer, Gregg (October 29, 2007). "Hacker Software Can Install Unauthorized Software on iPhones". PCWorld. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- Hollister, Sean (August 1, 2010). "Official: iPhone 4 jailbreak hits from iPhone Dev Team (updated with video)". Engadget. Retrieved September 11, 2010.
- Patel, Nilay (August 11, 2010). "Apple releases iOS 4.0.2 for iPhone and 3.2.2 for iPad, fixes PDF vulnerability". Engadget. Retrieved 2010-09-11.
- iPhone Dev Team (July 6, 2011). "jailbreakme times 3". iPhone Dev Team Blog. Retrieved August 2, 2011.
- Connolly, P. J. (July 15, 2011). "Apple Fixes Latest iOS Exploit". eWEEK Labs. eWEEK. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- jean (July 18, 2011). "Analysis of the jailbreakme v3 font exploit". Sogeti ESEC Lab. Archived from the original on July 22, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- Schwartz, Mathew J. (July 7, 2011). "Apple iOS Zero-Day PDF Vulnerability Exposed". InformationWeek. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- Mediati, Nick (July 15, 2011). "iOS 4.3.4 Is Out; Fixes JailbreakMe 3.0 Exploit". Geek Tech. PCWorld. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- Schwartz, Mathew J. (August 4, 2011). "Pwnie Award Highlights: Sony Epic Fail And More". InformationWeek. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
- Greenberg, Andy (August 26, 2011). "Apple Hacker Extraordinaire Comex Takes An Internship At Apple". Forbes. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
- Waisybabu (October 7, 2011). "Jailbreaks.me Is The New URL For iPad 2 Jailbreak; Stay Away From JailbreakMe.com As It May Distribute Malware Under New Ownership". Redmond Pie. Retrieved October 23, 2011.
- Waisybabu (October 8, 2011). "JailbreakMe.com Bought Back By Saurik, Community Collectively Heaves Sigh Of Relief". Redmond Pie. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
