Apple iOS Activation Flaw

Summary

A critical vulnerability in Apple’s iOS activation backend allows injection of unauthenticated XML .plist payloads during the device setup phase.   The flaw permits arbitrary provisioning changes without authentication, signature verification, or error feedback — exposing devices to pre-activation tampering and persistent configuration manipulation.

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Affected Product

• Vendor: Apple  
• Product: iOS Activation Infrastructure  
• Endpoint: https://humb.apple.com/humbug/baa (Apple internal)  

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Core Issue

• The server at https://humb.apple.com/humbug/baa accepts unauthenticated XML payloads.  
• This enables silent provisioning changes during activation.  
• Impacts include:   - Modem configuration     - CloudKit token behavior     - Carrier-level protocol enforcement  

⚠️ No jailbreak, malware, or user interaction required.

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Implications

• Supply chain compromise potential  
• Bypasses enterprise MDM and hardening policies  
• Persistent, pre-user compromise vector during the trusted setup phase

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Disclosure Timeline

• 05/19/2025 reported to Apple & US Cert (tracking ID VRF#25-05-RCKYK)
• Vendor unresponsive as of 09/23/2025

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Why It Matters

If activation can be hijacked, no iPhone is safe from day one. A silent attacker could pre-configure networks, tokens, or carrier rules before the user ever sees the home screen. Trust in Apple’s entire supply chain depends on this step being secure.