Performing Mobile Device Forensics with Cellebrite

When to Use

• When extracting evidence from smartphones or tablets during an investigation
• For recovering deleted messages, call logs, and location data from mobile devices
• During investigations involving communications via messaging apps
• When analyzing mobile application data for evidence of criminal activity
• For corporate investigations involving employee mobile device misuse

Prerequisites

• Cellebrite UFED Touch/4PC or UFED Physical Analyzer (licensed)
• Alternative open-source tools: ALEAPP, iLEAPP, MEAT, libimobiledevice
• Appropriate cables and adapters for target device
• Faraday bag to isolate the device from network signals
• Legal authorization (warrant, consent, or corporate policy)
• Knowledge of iOS and Android file system structures

Workflow

Step 1: Prepare the Device and Isolation

# CRITICAL: Immediately place device in airplane mode or Faraday bag
# This prevents remote wipe commands and additional data changes

# Document device state before acquisition
# Record: make, model, IMEI, serial number, OS version, screen lock status
# Photograph the device from all angles

# For Android - Enable USB debugging if accessible
# Settings > Developer Options > USB Debugging > Enable

# For iOS - Trust the forensic workstation
# When prompted on device, tap "Trust This Computer"

# If device is locked, document lock type (PIN, pattern, biometric)
# Cellebrite UFED can bypass certain lock types depending on device model

# Install open-source tools as alternatives
pip install aleapp    # Android Logs Events And Protobuf Parser
pip install ileapp    # iOS Logs Events And Properties Parser
sudo apt-get install libimobiledevice-utils  # iOS acquisition on Linux

Step 2: Perform Device Acquisition

# === Cellebrite UFED Acquisition ===
# 1. Launch UFED 4PC or connect UFED Touch
# 2. Select Device > Identify device model automatically
# 3. Choose extraction type:
#    - Logical: App data, contacts, messages, call logs (fastest, least data)
#    - File System: Full file system access including databases
#    - Physical: Bit-for-bit image including deleted data (most complete)
#    - Advanced (Checkm8/GrayKey): For locked iOS devices (specific models)
# 4. Select output format and destination
# 5. Begin extraction

# === Open-source iOS acquisition with libimobiledevice ===
# List connected iOS devices
idevice_id -l

# Get device information
ideviceinfo -u <UDID>

# Create iOS backup (logical acquisition)
idevicebackup2 backup --full /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/ios_backup/

# For encrypted backups (contains more data including passwords)
idevicebackup2 backup --full --password /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/ios_backup/

# === Android acquisition with ADB ===
# List connected devices
adb devices

# Full backup (requires screen unlock)
adb backup -apk -shared -all -f /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/android_backup.ab

# Extract specific app data
adb shell pm list packages | grep -i "whatsapp\|telegram\|signal"
adb pull /data/data/com.whatsapp/ /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/whatsapp/

# For rooted Android devices - full filesystem
adb shell "su -c 'dd if=/dev/block/mmcblk0 bs=4096'" | \
   dd of=/cases/case-2024-001/mobile/android_physical.dd

# Hash the acquisition
sha256sum /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/*.dd > /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/acquisition_hashes.txt

Step 3: Analyze with ALEAPP (Android) or iLEAPP (iOS)

# === Android analysis with ALEAPP ===
# ALEAPP processes Android file system extractions
python3 -m aleapp \
   -t fs \
   -i /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/android_extraction/ \
   -o /cases/case-2024-001/analysis/aleapp_report/

# ALEAPP extracts and reports on:
# - Call logs, SMS/MMS messages
# - Chrome browser history and searches
# - WiFi connection history
# - Installed applications
# - Google account activity
# - Location data (Google Maps, Photos)
# - WhatsApp, Telegram, Signal messages
# - App usage statistics
# - Device settings and accounts

# === iOS analysis with iLEAPP ===
python3 -m ileapp \
   -t tar \
   -i /cases/case-2024-001/mobile/ios_backup.tar \
   -o /cases/case-2024-001/analysis/ileapp_report/

# iLEAPP extracts and reports on:
# - iMessage and SMS messages
# - Safari browsing history
# - WiFi and Bluetooth connections
# - Health data and location history
# - App usage (KnowledgeC)
# - Photos with EXIF/GPS data
# - Notes, Calendar, Reminders
# - Keychain data (if decryptable)

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