The NSA Has a Backdoor Called 'DROPOUTJEEP' for Nearly Complete Access to the Apple iPhone

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Posted December 30, 2013 at 11:32pm by Shalom Levytam

The NSA reportedly has a backdoor codenamed 'DROPOUTJEEP' that gives them access to anything on an iPhone including its mic, camera, SMS, and more.

Jacob "@ioerror" Applebaum recently presented on a catalog of NSA exploits leaked online that outlines the various tools the NSA uses for spying.

While nearly all of the tools and programs listed are upsetting. DROPOUTJEEP is of particular interest to Apple customers.

DROPOUTJEEP is a software implant for the Apple iPhone that utilizes modular mission applications to provide specific SIGINT functionality. This functionality includes the ability to remotely push/pull files from the device, SMS retrieval, contact list retrieval, voicemail, geolocation, hot mic, camera capture, cell tower location, etc. Command, control, and data exfiltration can occur over SMS messaging or a GPRS data connection. All communications with the implant will be covert and encrypted.

Notably, the first version of DROPOUTJEEP had to be installed via close access; however, remote installation was in the works.

The initial release of DROPOUTJEEP will focus on installing the implant via close access methods. A remote installation capability will be pursued for a future release.

The NSA claims in their QUANTUMTHEORY documents that every attempt to implant iOS will always succeed. This leads Applebaum to question whether Apple assisted them in installing this backdoor:

"They literally claim that anytime they target an iOS device that it will succeed for implantation. Either they have a huge collection of exploits that work against Apple products, meaning that they are hoarding information about critical systems that American companies produce and sabotaging them, or Apple sabotaged it themselves. Not sure which one it is. I'd like to believe that since Apple didn't join the PRISM program until after Steve Jobs died, that maybe it's just that they write shitty software. We know that's true."

Apple has yet to comment on the matter but we'll let you know as soon as any more news breaks. Please follow iClarified on Twitter, Facebook, or RSS for updates and let us know what you think of this in the comments!

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The NSA Has a Backdoor Called 'DROPOUTJEEP' for Nearly Complete Access to the Apple iPhone

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dynobyke - December 2, 2014 at 11:08pm

still haven't seen any tangible proof (schematics, program logic) that prove how this works or if it's actually in place. anyone have any actual code or found anything in the iOS? all the articles just repeat the capabilities. anyone tried rooting and digging in to find the actual code?

Moe Better 11 - January 23, 2014 at 8:13am

When a non yank installs the back door - everything is all so peachy! Got it. We'll get on that!

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2013 at 10:47pm

I can see why you haven't guessed it and just looked it up.

Max - December 31, 2013 at 1:55pm

Shocked? - nope. Suprised? - nope. Anyone who thinks a smartphone isnt also a people tracker for the US ( if they believe you are worth tracking ) is clearly deluded. However, who gives a rats' ass. I would no more email a trade secret than publish it in the NYT.

justabrake - December 31, 2013 at 11:23am

This violates our 4th amendment

Zack soule - December 31, 2013 at 7:36am

Yea evrytime Samsung sell a copy Google get huge chunk Nokia/ Microsoft ARM processor and lot more small company

iAmMe - December 31, 2013 at 6:55am

Lol. So funny to think that Samsung makes the iPhones processors yet they use Qualcom's snapdragon processor on their flagship Galaxy S phones. Hahaha Samsung may have made them but they did not create them and that's why they are called Apple AX chips. Perhaps you will also say Foxconn made the iPhones too! (chuckle)

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2013 at 3:05am

Just save some pics quickly and turn wifi, signal off and have fun on your own time.

Great! - December 31, 2013 at 2:19am

Android fans should note that NSA doesn't have to install anything to gain full access to android devices - the device already comes pre-loaded with one called Analprobe.

patrick - December 31, 2013 at 2:18am

Forget security patches. Just make sure you have a picture of miley cyrus' face on your phone and they will never try to download data from you again once they tried.

Apple fan - December 31, 2013 at 2:02am

I don't trust Samsung, because it's South-Korean. Luckily for me, my iPhone hardware is from California so I can trust it. NSA don't spy. I asked an NSA spokesman if they do and he assured me they don't. I called Apple and asked if they have a backdoor installed. The employee told me they didn't because a backdoor is too large to fit in the phone.

Samsung supporter - December 31, 2013 at 2:30am

Enjoy the status bar on top of your fullscreen videos, iSheep.

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2013 at 2:32am

Enjoy the copying samshit will attempt to pass as their own work samsheep. The fingerprint scanner will let you push the new button up androids ass.

Samsung supporter - December 31, 2013 at 3:18am

I'm not even a real Samsung owner. I'm typing this on my 5S. I was just bored watching tv so I decided to troll a random idiot fanboy all night. I had enough though, so I'll go to bed.

Samsung supporter - December 31, 2013 at 3:30am

Running Evasi0n 1.0.1 on my iPhone 5S Gold with home made icon set. Had iPhones since 3G. Samsung Galaxy is a great phone too. The screen is large, but I don't like the plastic lightweight feel. I don't like the look and feel of Android, but I hate the default icons of iOS as much. iPhone and Galaxy are both great phones. Everyone should buy whatever they like without acting like a fanboy crybaby. And now, really bedtime.

Samsung supporter - December 31, 2013 at 12:28pm

You're still wrong though, at everything you said.

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2013 at 1:13pm

Prove it.

Samsung supporter - December 31, 2013 at 8:55pm

You are wrong again. Time to upgrade your phone to a Galaxy S4. Unless you want to stay with the iSheep.

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2013 at 8:59pm

Time to upgrade to another plastic toy with puny samsheeps unless you want a parallax feature with more late bands with gold edition phone with a simpler way to scan fingers and secure more. If not go for some more play time.

sH23 - December 31, 2013 at 1:27am

Are we really surprised? News flash @ss hats, the government has access to everything and every bit of information about you. Get used to it.

gamerscul9870 - December 31, 2013 at 1:29am

Exactly. What are we freaked out over, they plan nothing to invade us or our devices.

Ernie - December 31, 2013 at 1:03am

This should finally shut up the anti-jailbreak freaks.

NewGuy - December 31, 2013 at 12:45am

Hope this can be closed with a tweak via jailbreak. Now I see why Tim cook is so anti-jailbreak smh

Paras Tolani - December 31, 2013 at 12:04am

so....the blood sample clincs collect must be definitely used for DNA tooo.

NoGoodNick - December 30, 2013 at 11:50pm

Frig! That alone is enough to get me to abandon my iPhone/iPad. But before any Samsung hacks start crowing, I can guarantee NSA has more access Google's source code since there are SO many people with access to the s

Wow13 - December 31, 2013 at 1:05am

Thats the beauty of android, everyone has the source code not only the NSA, you can compile your own ROM with little technical knowledge that's not because of google that's because of the nature of Open Source Software :)

Bob - December 30, 2013 at 11:49pm

And now they are collecting fingerprinsd to USA with 5S also

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