A newly uncovered zero-day exploit developed by Cellebrite has been used to unlock the Android phone of a 23-year-old Serbian activist, according to a report by Amnesty International. The attack leveraged vulnerabilities in the Linux kernel’s USB drivers, allowing authorities to bypass the lock screen and gain privileged access. This case raises urgent concerns about the security of Android devices, particularly their susceptibility to forensic unlocking tools used for surveillance purposes.
Mobile forensic tools, originally designed for legitimate investigations, are increasingly being used for political repression and surveillance. Amnesty’s findings highlight how these tools can compromise privacy and human rights, particularly in nations where freedom of expression is under threat. The exploitation of Android’s USB attack surface is not an isolated event but part of a broader trend in which forensic tools are used beyond their intended purpose, often targeting activists, journalists, and dissidents.
Express phone overhaul
The victim, referred to as Vedran for privacy reasons, was detained during a student protest in Belgrade, where his Samsung Galaxy A32 was confiscated. Amnesty’s forensic analysis confirmed that Serbian authorities used Cellebrite’s exploit to unlock the device and attempted to install an unidentified Android application. The attack leveraged CVE-2024-53104, a Linux kernel USB vulnerability, along with CVE-2024-53197 and CVE-2024-50302 to escalate privileges. The unidentified application showed behavioral patterns similar to NoviSpy, a spyware used in prior Serbian surveillance cases, suggesting an effort to conduct long-term monitoring of the activist’s communications and activities.
This case underscores the broader global concern over how forensic technology is used by state actors to target individuals perceived as threats. Similar incidents have been reported worldwide, where law enforcement agencies and intelligence groups exploit security flaws to access private data under the pretext of national security. The ability to bypass device security measures not only jeopardizes the privacy of individuals but also sets a dangerous precedent where governments may increasingly resort to digital surveillance as a means of social control.
Physically unlocked
The Cellebrite exploit targeted Android’s USB attack surface, a well-documented entry point for security bypasses. The exploit chain allowed Cellebrite’s customers with physical access to bypass lockscreen protections and gain root-level access. Android devices remain particularly vulnerable due to the long patch cycles, where security fixes take months to reach all affected devices. Although a patch for CVE-2024-53104 was released in December 2024, many devices remain exposed, creating an ongoing security gap.
Forensic unlocking tools rely on vulnerabilities in legacy kernel drivers that persist across Android versions. Attackers, including state actors and cybercriminals, exploit these overlooked flaws to access sensitive data. Amnesty’s findings underscore the need for stricter security policies around forensic tools, especially given their potential misuse in surveillance and repression. Furthermore, the lack of transparency surrounding the capabilities and deployments of these tools complicates efforts to regulate them effectively.
Cellebrite, an Israeli-based digital forensics company, provides solutions to law enforcement agencies worldwide for unlocking and extracting data from mobile devices. While the company maintains that its products are intended for lawful investigations, reports of their misuse have surfaced repeatedly. Amnesty’s report led to Cellebrite suspending its services in Serbia, but questions remain about how widely its technology is being used in other countries with poor human rights records. The lack of accountability in the sale and deployment of forensic tools remains a major issue, prompting discussions about the need for stricter regulations on their usage.
Shielding Android
To mitigate the risks posed by Cellebrite’s exploit and similar forensic tools, users and organizations must take proactive security measures:
- Regularly update Android devices to ensure vulnerabilities are patched promptly.
- Disable USB debugging and restrict developer mode access to limit exposure to physical attacks.
- Encrypt sensitive data and use strong PIN-based or biometric authentication to enhance device security.
- Implement secure boot and tamper-resistant settings to make unauthorized unlocking more difficult.
- Adopt enterprise-level security policies that account for forensic tool risks, particularly in high-risk environments.
- Increase public awareness about mobile forensic threats and advocate for stronger security measures at the device manufacturing level.
The unlocking of Vedran’s phone highlights the risks posed by forensic software in politically sensitive contexts. While Cellebrite has halted its services in Serbia, the case demonstrates how easily such tools can be repurposed for surveillance. As mobile forensics technology advances, individuals, businesses, and policymakers must remain vigilant in securing devices against unauthorized access. The larger question remains: how can forensic technology be regulated to prevent its misuse while still enabling legitimate law enforcement investigations? The intersection of cybersecurity, privacy rights, and state surveillance will continue to be a pressing concern in the digital age.
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