Apple's iOS 7 Beta 4 Patched An Essential Evasi0n7 Jailbreak Exploit
It looks like the cat just caught the mouse - or at least cornered it. Because according to a number of different sources, iOS 7.1 beta 4 - which reached registered iOS developers a couple of days ago - patches an essential exploit that evasi0n7 relies upon in order to jailbreak iDevices running Apple’s iOS 7 mobile operating system.
Previous iterations of iOS 7.1 beta have ultimately been compatible with evasi0n7, which allows users (including 64-bit iDevice owners) to jailbreak their iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch under iOS 7 to iOS 7.0.4. For example, even though iOS 7.1 beta 3 initially broke evasi0n7, the software update didn’t patch the jailbreak’s key exploits; the evad3rs were therefore able to update the jailbreak software with a quick fix a couple of days following iOS 7.1 beta 3’s release.
However, with iOS 7.1 beta 4, it looks like Apple has gone one step further and has patched an important evasi0n7 exploit. More specifically, according to @iH8sn0w, the jailbreak’s kernal exploit appears to have been patched in the latest iOS 7.1 beta release.
In a Twitter update, @iH8sn0w said:
So the code sign bug that evasi0n7 uses still exists in 7.1b4. Kernel exploit looks patched though :P
— iH8sn0w (@iH8sn0w) January 21, 2014He went on to explain to a Twitter follower: “meaning … Don’t expect an evasi0n7 update for 7.1b4+ support.”
It’s no surprise Apple has patched evasi0n7 with iOS 7.1 beta, although the Cupertino, Calif. company usually holds on to jailbreak patches until a final release of the software is available. The cat and mouse game will continue, though; this most recent news only means jailbreakers should avoid iOS 7.1 - both the prerelease and final release iterations - until further information from the evad3rs (potentially involving an evasi0n7 update) surfaces online.
In a worst case scenario, iOS 7.1 will be off limits for jailbreakers. Though according to iOS hacker @MuscleNerd, the situation may not be as bad as it seems. He said in a recent Twitter update:
To all the newer JBers: we rarely comment on whether exploits are closed in betas. There’s no advantage … if anything, it just helps Apple.
We’ll keep you updated with further information as we receive it. In the meantime, if you’ve jailbroken your iDevice under iOS 7, avoid iOS 7.1 beta 4 for the time being.
See also: Cydia Tweak: Pebble Profiles Silences Notifications When Your iDevice Is Unlocked, Classic Puzzle Adventure Game Boulder Dash Set To Get 30th Anniversary Sequel, and Staccal 2 Features Calendars, Reminders And More In 1 iOS 7-Optimized App.
