Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Bluetooth Vulnerability Could Allow iOS and macOS Devices Be Tracked and Identified
A security vulnerability in the Bluetooth communication protocol has the potential to allow malicious actors to track and identify devices from Apple and Microsoft, according to new research from Boston University that was highlighted by ZDNet.
Apple devices including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch are impacted, as are Microsoft tablets and laptops. Android devices are not affected.
As outlined in the research paper [PDF], Bluetooth devices use public channels to announce their presence to other devices.
To prevent tracking, most devices broadcast a randomized address that periodically changes rather than a Media Access Control (MAC) address, but the researchers have found that it is possible to extract identifying tokens that allow a device to be tracked even when this randomized address changes by exploiting the address-carryover algorithm.
It's not clear if the method described has been used by any bad actors for the purpose of tracking Apple devices using Bluetooth, but it would be undetectable as it does not require breaking Bluetooth security. The research paper contains several recommendations on how to mitigate the tracking vulnerability, and Apple is often quick to patch any security issues that come up, so we could see a fix for this problem in the near future.
Apple devices including Macs, iPhones, iPads, and the Apple Watch are impacted, as are Microsoft tablets and laptops. Android devices are not affected.
As outlined in the research paper [PDF], Bluetooth devices use public channels to announce their presence to other devices.
To prevent tracking, most devices broadcast a randomized address that periodically changes rather than a Media Access Control (MAC) address, but the researchers have found that it is possible to extract identifying tokens that allow a device to be tracked even when this randomized address changes by exploiting the address-carryover algorithm.
We present an online algorithm called the address-carryover algorithm, which exploits the fact that identifying tokens and the random address do not change in sync, to continuously track a device despite implementing anonymization measures. To our knowledge, this approach affects all Windows 10, iOS, and macOS devices.The tracking method explained in the research paper has the potential to allow for an identity-exposing attack that allows for "permanent, non-continuous tracking," plus an iOS side-channel that "allows insights into user activity."
The algorithm does not require message decryption or breaking Bluetooth security in any way, as it is based entirely on public, unencrypted advertising traffic.
iOS or macOS devices have two identifying tokens (nearby, handoff) which change in different intervals. In many cases, the values of the identifying tokens change in sync with the address. However, in some cases the token change does not happen in the same moment, which allows the carry-over algorithm to identify the next random address.Android devices do not use the same advertising approach as Microsoft and Apple, and are immune to the data tracking methods used by the researchers.
It's not clear if the method described has been used by any bad actors for the purpose of tracking Apple devices using Bluetooth, but it would be undetectable as it does not require breaking Bluetooth security. The research paper contains several recommendations on how to mitigate the tracking vulnerability, and Apple is often quick to patch any security issues that come up, so we could see a fix for this problem in the near future.
Tag: Bluetooth
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9 weeks ago
if the software is of such demonstrably low quality, it should be easy for you to prove it. let's hear your proof.
BTW: Nothing like Windows not loading on its own surface laptops, or Excel crashing while running on Windows, or...., or myriad android bugs allowing replacement of software. Fact: Bugs do exist
* Super ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/07/11/151241/apple-disables-walkie-talkie-app-due-to-vulnerability-that-could-allow-iphone-eavesdropping')
* easy ('https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/07/11/0423244/apple-pushes-a-silent-mac-update-to-remove-hidden-zoom-web-serverhttps://it.slashdot.org/story/19/07/09/0521212/serious-zoom-security-flaw-could-let-websites-hijack-mac-cameras')
* to ('https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/06/29/0651212/new-mac-malware-abuses-recently-disclosed-gatekeeper-zero-day')
* prove ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/06/15/0450239/cellebrite-says-it-can-unlock-any-iphone-for-cops'):
* How ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/06/03/1957213/apple-finally-kills-itunes')
* many ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/05/14/1938252/its-almost-impossible-to-tell-if-your-iphone-has-been-hacked')
* more ('https://it.slashdot.org/story/19/04/08/221253/exodus-spyware-found-targeting-apple-ios-users')
* do ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/03/29/173216/macos-10144-mail-client-has-broken-gmail-access-for-some-users')
* you ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/02/19/1722240/apples-newest-macs-seem-to-have-a-serious-audio-bug')
* want ('https://apple.slashdot.org/story/19/02/07/2046203/apple-releases-iphone-update-to-fix-group-facetime-eavesdropping-bug')?
That's just from a few months; not the most major clusters from, say, the last year or two.
The world outside of your echo chamber noticed a long time ago:
9 weeks ago
What's so difficult to long press/3d touch the settings icon and then choose WiFi or bluetooth and turn it off?
Not difficult, but annoying that it doesn't work in control center that way anymore. When I turn Wifi off I want to turn it off not "disconnect but still on".
9 weeks ago
I am a little confused. Does this mean that if someone is following you and within bluetooth range (100 ft?), they can track you?
Non-continuous tracking.
For example, if you're in a Starbucks, you can find the 5 people (who have an iOS/MacOS device) that are sitting there's bluetooth ID .... now tape your device under a table tracking all these ids, you'll know when those 5 people return. Therefore you can 'track people' and their comings and goings by their devices. Of course, you don't know who those 5 people are, you'd have to monitor it in person, and then watch as they leave/enter to name these IDs to track person by person. (i.e. ID #1 is 'cute freckled girl', #2 is 'fat balding guy', etc)
It has been possible to track people via cell phone towers for a long time for iOS and Android devices.
9 weeks ago
Demonstrably low-quality software and decreasing-quality hardware.
Meaning increased margins and increased stock price!
Karaoke web series, watch bands, Doctor Dre headsets.
The sky's the limit!
#FIRETHEACCOUNTANT
if the software is of such demonstrably low quality, it should be easy for you to prove it. let's hear your proof.
BTW: Nothing like Windows not loading on its own surface laptops, or Excel crashing while running on Windows, or...., or myriad android bugs allowing replacement of software. Fact: Bugs do exist
9 weeks ago
iOS 13 reveals how many apps want to access Bluetooth. Really appreciate the new controls, but I wish Apple hadn't made turning off Bluetooth and Wifi so difficult in general. Never seems to turn off completely.
9 weeks ago
What's so difficult to long press/3d touch the settings icon and then choose WiFi or bluetooth and turn it off?
Except that doesn't turn it off Apple changed that in iOS 11(?) - now it's in a disconnected-but-still-on mode. very annoying. Same problem when I travel. I use a VPN, but turn it, and wifi, off when I go to bed. If I turn Wifi "off" via control centre then it turns back on at 5am (without the VPN).
Great management on that one, Tim Cook and co...
9 weeks ago
I am a little confused. Does this mean that if someone is following you and within bluetooth range (100 ft?), they can track you?
9 weeks ago
Demonstrably low-quality software and decreasing-quality hardware.
Meaning increased margins and increased stock price!
Karaoke web series, watch bands, Doctor Dre headsets.
The sky's the limit!
#FIRETHEACCOUNTANT
Meaning increased margins and increased stock price!
Karaoke web series, watch bands, Doctor Dre headsets.
The sky's the limit!
#FIRETHEACCOUNTANT
9 weeks ago
This is a non-factor with iOS13, etc
It will be patched by October.
Right, the last line is the most important part.
Yet you glossed over:...Android devices are not affected.
It's true.People see what they want to see.:p:D
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