Stuck in A Closed Tesseract
- Apple designed SOCs Another Apple’s product discussion as you might’ve known hardware isn’t my thing but when it comes to Apple, I can’t say no. Apple started creating a series of System on Chip(soc) and SiP(system in Package), these are the two small hardware components which are being integrated and have been using in Apple products since their(SoC’s) inception. They include Apple iPhones, iPad and other lot of gadgets. These SoCs and SiPs are designed based on the ARM architecture. It makes the Apple’s ecosystem more close-natured, every small component is being developed by themselves unlike other brands where they incorporate things, this makes apple the one in-control, because they can make their device operate as they want. While It may sound daunting, apple literally created a huge set of chips, the A and M series are something to look at. You can find them here. 2. Pointer authentication Code Pointer Authentication code(PAC) is a security feature that makes the processors immune to pointer function exploits, these are required as the OS may contain several methods by which It can be exploited and then the attacker can change/modify system code. It adds a secure layer, as simple as that. A pointer stores the memory address right? i think so too. (I’m bad at this stuff), what this PAC does is, simply encrypting the values so that an intruder cannot modify these pointers into his benefit. 3. Page Protection Layer This is another Apple’s innovation or should I say “implementation”? anyways, page protection layer works by adding a signature to the kernel’s executable files, these signatures come from apple themselves, no third party is involved. These are mandatory to be verified by the system, so much complex and sophisticated right? Well they have to go to such lengths to protect their customers, I can say that apple greatly reduces most prone cyberattacks on their customers, androids are very easy to be exploited. There are literally many ways to exploit them. Page protection is one of the apple’s silicon hardware component, as we had discussed above it is there to add code signing. 4.ImAgent Process Imagent Process is a keep-on software in iPhones, It keeps on checking for any incoming Facetime/iMessages even though the said applications are not opened/launched, this works the same way as how a normal facelock works in android(i’m guessing), these can be disabled but they are turned on by default. This opens a variety of exploit vectors for the attackers to leverage. 5. Security by Obscurity If you remember the satellite topics I had previously discussed in the beginning, this can be summed up into it. This method is used in confidential places which are most likely vulnerable to the latest threats and cyber technologies. E.g. includes satellites, key architecture for state powered governance systems, Critical electric grids etc. These are not open for security researchers, these are only accessible by their insider employees. In simple terms, it’s aim is to hide the information so that nobody knows what this particular thing is. If they don’t know what is inside, they can never exploit it right? As simple as that. That’s all for today, I’ve learnt about them from reading the operation triangulation blog by securelist. Have a read. I’ll see you tomorrow.