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Here’s How Signal Broke Into Cellebrite’s Hacking Device

Andrew Orr ·

Moxie Marlinspike of Signal wrote on Wednesday how he was able hack into a Cellebrite device. These devices are used by entities like law enforcement to brute force their way into devices like iPhones.

Given the number of opportunities present, we found that it’s possible to execute arbitrary code on a Cellebrite machine simply by including a specially formatted but otherwise innocuous file in any app on a device that is subsequently plugged into Cellebrite and scanned. There are virtually no limits on the code that can be executed.

A fascinating write-up. One can only imagine the thrill of taking a walk, seeing a package fall out of a truck, and finding out that it’s a Cellebrite device.

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Authoritarian Governments May Not Like Satellite Internet

Andrew Orr ·

An interesting report today examines how authoritarian governments will handle the challenge of satellite internet like Starlink.

Russia’s space chief Dmitry Rogozin, in August of 2020, said that Starlink is “a rather predatory, clever, powerful, high-technology policy of the USA, which uses Shock and Awe in order to advance, before all, their military interests.” Rogozin publicly stated the more humanitarian aspects of Starlink, in that it would provide internet access to people living in remote areas, “nonsense.”

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Digital Rights Group Calls on Congress to Abolish the App Store

Andrew Orr ·

The Senate Judiciary Committee is preparing to hear testimony from app developers regarding the App Store. In preparation, Fight For The Future has created AbolishTheAppStore.org.

By centralizing software distribution through the App Store, Apple is upholding the unjust laws of authoritarian regimes and restricting innovation in the mobile software industry. We believe that iOS should work like every other general purpose computing system, including Apple’s own MacOS. Developers should be free to create — and users should be free to install — software directly onto the devices that they own without asking for Apple’s permission.

TMO Deals

Mobile Pixels DUEX Pro Portable Dual Monitor: $177

Bryan Chaffin ·

We have a deal on the Mobile Pixels DUEX Pro, a portable display that connects to your laptop as a second display wherever you go. It works with Mac, Windows, Chrome, or Linux laptop via a USB cable, and you attach it physically to the upper lid of your laptop so that it’s always with you. It slides out when you want to use it, and there’s a mirroring mode that allows you to turn it around soo you can share your screen with someone sitting across from you. It’s offers 1080p resolution, and coupon code SAVEDUEXPRO at checkout brings the price on this device down to $177.