5 ms·

Sounds like a new vulnerability route if you can flash the device without access to a port. I’d imagine it’s also in preparation for the removal of the port.

shiftpgdn 3y ago
I have been saying for years the next move for Apple is to ditch the charge port entirely. It makes the phone significantly more secure as well since Cellebrite, elcomsoft, etc rely on the lighting port /usb-c for mobile forensics work.
kotaKat 3y ago
They already have been doing this (in a way). Apple Watch since Series 7 has had a 60GHz wireless USB transmitter in it that replaced the hidden pogo-pins used for OS recovery and diagnostics in the back of house at Apple Stores. They designed a specific sled that has an Apple Watch charger and the 60GHz macguffins, and then carriers that each model watch rides in on top to align to the charger and the 60Ghz connection. Ironically, it's also USB-C. https://sci.tea-nifty.com/blog/2022/03/post-eb2dde.html https://sci.tea-nifty.com/blog/2022/03/post-eb2dde.html
- MBCook 3y ago
  I don’t remember hearing about that. Neat.
  - kotaKat 3y ago
    It was found through various FCC filings and documentation -- Apple never publicly announced it. ;)
    - MBCook 3y ago
      Oh no they’d never announce it. But I see enough Apple stuff through the sites I follow I’m just surprised I didn’t see it.
- Tempest1981 3y ago
  Just curious why 60 GHz was chosen, any ideas? Avoid interference from other sources? Harder to replicate? FCC approvals? Seems like a very high frequency, although looks like there is now a WiFi band up there?
  - kotaKat 3y ago
    Wireless USB at ~60GHz has (sort of) been a thing for a while for short range comms as a possibility. One of the largest devices that ever used it was the Essential PH-1 and its snap-on camera module (and some other modules as well); the data was transferred over 60GHz USB while power and alignment was delivered by two pogo pins. There was also Dell and friends' various efforts with WiGig 60GHz docking stations. https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-wigig https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-wigig
TerrifiedMouse 3y ago
> Sounds like a new vulnerability route if you can flash the device without access to a port. Apple already updates iOS over-the-air, no port required.

shiftpgdn 3y ago

I have been saying for years the next move for Apple is to ditch the charge port entirely. It makes the phone significantly more secure as well since Cellebrite, elcomsoft, etc rely on the lighting port /usb-c for mobile forensics work.

kotaKat 3y ago

They already have been doing this (in a way). Apple Watch since Series 7 has had a 60GHz wireless USB transmitter in it that replaced the hidden pogo-pins used for OS recovery and diagnostics in the back of house at Apple Stores. They designed a specific sled that has an Apple Watch charger and the 60GHz macguffins, and then carriers that each model watch rides in on top to align to the charger and the 60Ghz connection. Ironically, it's also USB-C. https://sci.tea-nifty.com/blog/2022/03/post-eb2dde.html https://sci.tea-nifty.com/blog/2022/03/post-eb2dde.html

MBCook 3y ago
I don’t remember hearing about that. Neat.
- kotaKat 3y ago
  It was found through various FCC filings and documentation -- Apple never publicly announced it. ;)
  - MBCook 3y ago
    Oh no they’d never announce it. But I see enough Apple stuff through the sites I follow I’m just surprised I didn’t see it.
Tempest1981 3y ago
Just curious why 60 GHz was chosen, any ideas? Avoid interference from other sources? Harder to replicate? FCC approvals? Seems like a very high frequency, although looks like there is now a WiFi band up there?
- kotaKat 3y ago
  Wireless USB at ~60GHz has (sort of) been a thing for a while for short range comms as a possibility. One of the largest devices that ever used it was the Essential PH-1 and its snap-on camera module (and some other modules as well); the data was transferred over 60GHz USB while power and alignment was delivered by two pogo pins. There was also Dell and friends' various efforts with WiGig 60GHz docking stations. https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-wigig https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-certified-wigig

TerrifiedMouse 3y ago

> Sounds like a new vulnerability route if you can flash the device without access to a port. Apple already updates iOS over-the-air, no port required.