Most Broque Ramdisk variants rely on the Checkm8 bootrom exploit (released by axi0mX in 2019). Checkm8 affects all A5 through A11 chips (iPhone 4s to iPhone X). It is a permanent, unpatchable exploit because it resides in read-only ROM.
Apple actively fights these tools: every iOS update patches ramdisk injection vectors, strengthens SEP isolation, and introduces hardware features like Pointer Authentication Codes (PAC) and SEP ROM patches in newer chips. | Tool | Method | Chip Support | Ease of Use | Data Extraction | |------|--------|--------------|-------------|------------------| | Broque Ramdisk | Checkm8 + custom ramdisk | A5–A11 | Medium (GUI/script) | Full FS, limited keychain | | Miner (MFC) | Similar ramdisk approach | A5–A11 | Low (command line) | Full FS | | Cellebrite UFED | Proprietary exploits + hardware | All (paid updates) | High (professional) | Full extraction, keychain, deleted data | | GrayKey | SEP brute-force + ramdisk | A5–A14 | High (appliance) | Full, including passcode crack | | iMyFone LockWiper | Claimed ramdisk | Mostly A5–A11 | High (GUI) | Usually bypass only, not extraction | broque ramdisk
The user puts the iPhone/iPad into DFU mode (power + home/volume buttons sequence). This is a low-level state where the device expects a firmware image via USB. Most Broque Ramdisk variants rely on the Checkm8
The ramdisk loads and mounts the system and data partitions. Because the SEP is still active, if the device has a passcode, the data partition is encrypted. However, on vulnerable devices, Broque Ramdisk can request the SEP to decrypt the volume using a "staged" or "bypass" method—sometimes by presenting a fake attempt counter. Apple actively fights these tools: every iOS update
Using Checkm8, Broque Ramdisk gains code execution at the bootrom level, allowing it to load an unsigned ramdisk image. Note: For A12+ devices, different or newer exploits are required, and success rates drop significantly.
Nevertheless, Broque Ramdisk remains a fascinating case study: a tool that exposes the delicate balance between user privacy, law enforcement needs, and the relentless march of platform security. It reminds us that no lock is perfect, but each new generation makes the key a little harder to forge. Disclaimer: This article is for educational and forensic research purposes only. Unauthorized access to any computing device is illegal in most jurisdictions. Always obtain explicit permission from the device owner or a court order before using tools like Broque Ramdisk.
In the ever-evolving arms race between consumer data protection and forensic access, few tools have garnered as much attention in the iOS security community as Broque Ramdisk . For years, law enforcement agencies, data recovery specialists, and jailbreak developers have sought reliable methods to bypass the layered security of Apple’s iPhones and iPads. Broque Ramdisk emerges as a powerful, semi-automated solution to a specific but critical problem: extracting user data from a locked or disabled iOS device without forcing a factory reset.