37C3 - Apple's iPhone 15: Under the C

Explore the latest iPhone 15 features and tools, including the USB-C port, debug port, and custom protocols, and learn how to use them to hack and debug the device.

Key takeaways
  • Apple’s iPhone 15 is the first iPhone to abandon the Lightning port in favor of USB-C.
  • The iPhone 15 has a debug port that allows hackers to connect to the device using a USB-C cable.
  • The debug port is a SPMI (System Protocol Management Interface) interface that allows for communication with the iPhone’s system on a chip.
  • The iPhone 15 has a custom USB-C power delivery communication protocol that can be modified to add custom commands.
  • The device has a central scrutinizer (Central Scrutinizer) that can be used to debug the iPhone using a USB-C cable.
  • The Central Scrutinizer is a tool that can be used to debug the iPhone using a USB-C cable.
  • The tool can be used to read and write memory, set breakpoints, and execute code on the iPhone.
  • The iPhone 15 has a custom protocol called VDM (Vendor-defined Message) that allows for communication with the device.
  • VDM is a proprietary protocol developed by Apple that allows for communication with the iPhone’s system on a chip.
  • The protocol can be used to send commands to the device and receive responses.
  • The tool can be used to send VDM commands to the iPhone and receive responses.
  • The tool can be used to debug the iPhone using a USB-C cable.
  • The iPhone 15 has a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) interface that allows for communication with the device.
  • JTAG is a standard interface used for debugging and testing electronic devices.
  • The tool can be used to access the device’s JTAG interface using a USB-C cable.
  • The tool can be used to read and write memory, set breakpoints, and execute code on the iPhone.
  • The tool can be used to debug the iPhone using a USB-C cable.
  • The iPhone 15 has an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) interface that allows for communication with the device.
  • SPI is a standard interface used for communication between devices.
  • The tool can be used to access the device’s SPI interface using a USB-C cable.
  • The tool can be used to send and receive data to and from the device.
  • The tool can be used to debug the iPhone using a USB-C cable.
  • The iPhone 15 has an ACC (Access Control Console) interface that allows for communication with the device.
  • ACC is a standard interface used for debugging and testing electronic devices.
  • The tool can be used to access the device’s ACC interface using a USB-C cable.
  • The tool can be used to send and receive data to and from the device.
  • The tool can be used to debug the iPhone using a USB-C cable.