BlackBerry Penetration Testing

TL;DR

This guide covers basic penetration testing of older BlackBerry handheld devices (pre-BB10). It focuses on exploiting common vulnerabilities and extracting data. Modern BlackBerry devices are significantly more secure, and this information is primarily relevant for forensic analysis or research into legacy systems.

Prerequisites

• A BlackBerry handheld device (older models like 8700, 9700).
• BlackBerry Desktop Software (for backups).
• A computer running Windows (most tools are Windows-based).
• Basic understanding of command line interfaces.

1. Device Information Gathering

1. Model and OS Version: Check the device settings for model number and operating system version. This is crucial for identifying known vulnerabilities.
2. IMEI/MEID: Dial *#06# on the BlackBerry to display the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity). The MEID (Mobile Equipment Identifier) may be needed for some tools.

2. Backup Creation

Creating a full backup is essential before attempting any penetration testing. This allows you to restore the device if something goes wrong.

1. Install BlackBerry Desktop Software: Download and install the software from the official BlackBerry website (if available).
2. Connect Device: Connect the BlackBerry to your computer via USB.
3. Backup Process: Open BlackBerry Desktop Software, select the device, and choose ‘Device’ > ‘Back Up’. Ensure you save the backup in a secure location.

3. Extracting Data from Backups

BlackBerry backups store data in a proprietary format. Several tools can extract information.

1. BBBackupTool: A popular tool for extracting SMS messages, contacts, call logs, and other data.
   • Download BBBackupTool from a reputable source (search online).
   • Run the tool and select the backup file.
   • Choose the data types you want to extract.
   • The extracted data will be saved in various formats (e.g., CSV, text files).
2. Other Tools: Consider tools like ‘BerryDump’ or commercial forensic software for more comprehensive extraction.

4. Exploiting Common Vulnerabilities

Older BlackBerry devices are susceptible to several vulnerabilities.

1. Bluetooth Exploits: Some models have Bluetooth vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized access.
   • Research specific exploits for your device model (search online databases like Exploit-DB).
   • Tools may be available to automate the exploitation process.
2. J2ME Application Exploits: If the device has J2ME applications installed, they can be a source of vulnerabilities.
   • Analyze the J2ME application files for potential security flaws (e.g., insecure data storage).
   • Tools like ‘jad’ and ‘jd-gui’ can decompile J2ME applications for analysis. jad -r your_application.jar
3. Password Cracking: Attempt to crack the device password using brute-force or dictionary attacks.
   • Tools like ‘Hashcat’ can be used for password cracking (requires a hash dump from the device, which is difficult to obtain without physical access).

5. Physical Access Attacks

If you have physical access to the device, more advanced attacks are possible.

1. JTAG/UART Debugging: Using a JTAG or UART interface can allow direct memory access and debugging.
   • Requires specialized hardware and technical expertise.
   • Can be used to extract sensitive data directly from the device’s flash memory.

Important Considerations

• Legality: Ensure you have legal permission before attempting any penetration testing on a BlackBerry device that is not your own.
• Data Privacy: Handle extracted data responsibly and protect the privacy of individuals.
• Device Damage: Penetration testing can potentially damage the device. Always create a backup first.