Cydia Package isslfix Fixes SSL Vulnerability For iOS < 4.3.5

With the release of JailbreakMe 3.0 and Apple's response, iOS has been updated twice in order to patch the JailbreakMe exploit and other vulnerabilities. Updating to iOS 4.3.4 is not recommended as it only fixes the PDF exploit that JailbreakMe used and addressed with the free PDF Patcher 2 download available in Cydia. From there, Apple once again released a new version, 4.3.5, to patch other issues that were found. Although redsn0w is now able to jailbreak both 4.3.4 and 4.3.5, it is also not recommended for iPad 2 owners as you will have to deal with a tethered jailbreak.

Now: In Apple's current releases, there were things that were patched that were actually "legitimate" fixes (not in response to JailbreakMe 3.0). The problem is, if you're sticking jailbroken, you aren't able to get this security updates without having to upgrade and lose an untethered jailbreak. This issue has now been solved by jan0 (@0naj) who recently released a package called "isslfix" on Cydia.

In the most basic terms, isslfix patches an SSL vulnerability known as CVE-2011-0228 without having to upgrade to the latest firmwares. All you simply need to do is install isslfix from Cydia and you will have the same protection that the later iOS firmwares offer.

More detailed information can be found at jan0's GitHub page, along with information on how to check to see if you're vulnerable or not and how to deal with issues if they do arise.

Read this article from The Recurity Lablog that explains the CVE-2011-0228 vulnerability:

You have two options to install isslfix:

Install isslfix directly from Cydia from the BigBoss repo; just search for it in Cydia

Install the isslfix .deb file and follow the installation instructions in the Readme on the GitHub page

Note: Rebooting your device will be required after installation.

To test and see if you're vulnerable (or if you're protected with this package), visit the following website on your iDevice:

https://issl.recurity.com/

If what comes up looks anything like the picture below (showing the HTTPS), you're vulnerable.


However, if it gives you a warning and a "Continue" screen before viewing the page, that means you're protected.


Note: The iOS 5 beta already patches this so there is no need to install isslfix on any iOS 5 beta firmware.

If you wish to read support documents from Apple discussing the different security updates from the firmwares at hand, read below:

iOS 4.3.4
iOS 4.3.5

Keep up to date on information about this new fix by following jan0 on Twitter.

Source(s): jan0 - GitHub, jan0, Apple, The Recurity Lablog


By Carl W. Brooks
Editor, iamthereforeipad.com