<!-- Copyright (c) 2026 defconxt. All rights reserved. -->
<!-- Licensed under AGPL-3.0 — see LICENSE file for details. -->
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---
name: analyzing-ios-applications
description: >-
  Analyze iOS application binaries including Mach-O analysis, Objective-C runtime inspection, and Swift metadata extraction.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: reverse-engineering
tags:
  - ios
  - mach-o
  - objective-c
  - swift
  - frida
version: "1.0"
author: defconxt
license: AGPL-3.0
metadata:
  mitre-attack: ["T1409"]
  cwe: ["CWE-200"]
  tools: ["Hopper", "class-dump", "Frida", "objection", "jtool2"]
---

# Analyzing Ios Applications

## Overview

Analyze iOS application binaries including Mach-O analysis, Objective-C runtime inspection, and Swift metadata extraction.

## Prerequisites

| Tool / Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| `Hopper` | Security tooling |
| `class-dump` | Security tooling |
| `Frida` | Security tooling |
| `objection` | Security tooling |
| `jtool2` | Security tooling |
| Isolated lab environment for testing | Environment requirement |
| Authorization and signed Rules of Engagement (RoE) | Environment requirement |
| Relevant target samples or systems acquired through authorized channels | Environment requirement |

## Quick Reference

```bash
# Dump Objective-C headers
class-dump -H ./Target.app/Target -o ./headers/

# Analyze Mach-O binary
jtool2 -l ./Target.app/Target    # load commands
jtool2 -S ./Target.app/Target    # symbols

# Frida iOS hooking
frida -U -l ios_hook.js com.target.app

# objection exploration
objection -g com.target.app explore
```

## Workflow

### Step 1: Preparation and Reconnaissance

```bash
# Identify target and gather initial intelligence
file ./target_sample
hopper --version 2>/dev/null || echo "Install Hopper"

# Set up working directory
mkdir -p /tmp/analyzing-ios-applications/{output,logs,artifacts}
```

### Step 2: Primary Analysis

```bash
# Execute primary analysis with Hopper
# Refer to Quick Reference above for detailed commands
echo "[*] Running Analyzing Ios Applications with Hopper..."

# Log all operations
script -q /tmp/analyzing-ios-applications/logs/session.log
```

### Step 3: Deep Investigation

```bash
# Apply class-dump for secondary analysis
echo "[*] Deep investigation with class-dump..."

# Cross-reference findings
diff /tmp/analyzing-ios-applications/output/primary.json /tmp/analyzing-ios-applications/output/secondary.json
```

### Step 4: Documentation and Reporting

```bash
# Generate structured findings report
cat <<'EOF' > /tmp/analyzing-ios-applications/output/report.json
{
  "technique": "analyzing-ios-applications",
  "domain": "reverse-engineering",
  "tools_used": ["Hopper", "class-dump"],
  "findings": [],
  "recommendations": []
}
EOF
```

## Detection

```yaml
title: Ios Applications Detection
id: 9715e293-eed1-490d-98c3-2550d64fd7ed
status: experimental
description: Detects suspicious activity related to analyzing ios applications techniques in reverse engineering context
logsource:
  category: process_creation
  product: windows
detection:
  selection:
    CommandLine: "*analyzing*ios*"
  condition: selection
level: medium
tags:
  - attack.t1409
  - attack.defense_evasion
falsepositives:
  - Malware analysis sandbox performing automated binary inspection
```


**Detection Opportunities**

| Indicator | Source | Detection Logic |
|---|---|---|
| Ios Applications Detection | windows/process_creation | Sigma rule (medium) |
| ATT&CK Coverage | MITRE ATT&CK | T1409 |

## Verification

- [ ] Environment and tools verified and operational
- [ ] Target samples acquired through authorized channels
- [ ] Primary analysis completed with findings documented
- [ ] Secondary validation performed with independent tooling
- [ ] All artifacts preserved in structured output directory
- [ ] Detection opportunities documented for blue team

## References

- [MITRE ATT&CK T1409](https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1409) — Related technique
- [Hopper Documentation](https://hopper.org/) — Primary tooling
- [class-dump Reference](https://class-dump.org/) — Secondary tooling
