Breaking Encryption: How Forensic Experts Extract Data from Locked Devices

Introduction

In the world of digital forensics, encryption is both a safeguard and a challenge. Criminals use it to protect illicit data, while investigators must find ways to access locked devices legally and ethically. Modern encryption algorithms like AES-256, device-level security measures, and biometric authentication make data extraction complex. However, forensic experts use a variety of advanced techniques to bypass these barriers.

This article explores the cutting-edge methods used to extract encrypted data, from brute-force attacks and hardware vulnerabilities to cloud-based exploits and legal considerations.

1. Understanding Modern Encryption and Security Barriers

Before attempting data extraction, forensic experts must understand the security architecture of the target device. Here are the main obstacles they face:

Device Encryption Methods

• AES-256 (Advanced Encryption Standard) – Used by most modern devices (iPhones, Androids, Windows BitLocker, FileVault).

• Full-Disk Encryption (FDE) – Encrypts entire storage drives, making data unreadable without the decryption key.

• File-Based Encryption (FBE) – Encrypts individual files or folders separately, as seen in Android’s latest security models.

• Secure Enclaves and TPMs (Trusted Platform Modules) – Store encryption keys in isolated hardware to prevent unauthorized access.

Authentication Mechanisms

• PINs and Passwords – Traditional authentication methods, but subject to brute-force attacks if weak.

• Biometrics (Face ID, Touch ID, Fingerprint Scanners) – More difficult to bypass without sophisticated spoofing techniques.

• Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – Adds an additional layer of protection by requiring secondary verification (SMS, Authenticator apps, hardware tokens).

  
  

2. Bypassing Encryption: Common Forensic Techniques

A. Brute-Force Attacks: Exploiting Weak Passwords

When encryption relies on a passcode or password, brute-force attacks remain a primary method of access:

• Dictionary Attacks – Uses precompiled lists of common passwords to guess the correct one.

• Hybrid Attacks – Combines dictionary words with modifications (e.g., adding numbers or special characters).

• GPU-Based Cracking – Tools like Hashcat or John the Ripper use powerful GPUs to attempt millions of guesses per second.

💡 Example: If an iPhone has a weak 4-digit passcode, forensic tools can brute-force it in minutes. However, if the passcode is alphanumeric and long, brute-force attempts become impractical.

B. Exploiting Hardware Vulnerabilities

Sometimes encryption is strong, but the hardware or firmware has vulnerabilities that allow forensic experts to bypass security.

• JTAG and ISP (In-System Programming) Attacks – Used on Android and embedded systems to extract raw memory data.

• Chip-Off Attacks – Physically removing storage chips (eMMC, NAND) and reading data directly.

• Cold Boot Attacks – Freezing RAM to extract encryption keys before they are erased.

• Checkm8 and Checkra1n (iPhone BootROM Exploit) – A hardware-level exploit that allows forensic extraction of iPhones up to the A11 chip (iPhone X).

💡 Example: Cellebrite and GrayKey use JTAG and chip-off techniques to extract data from locked Android devices and older iPhones.

C. Cloud-Based Data Extraction

Even if local encryption is strong, forensic experts can attempt to retrieve data from cloud backups:

• Cloud Credential Attacks – If the user’s password is compromised (phishing, social engineering), investigators can access iCloud, Google Drive, or OneDrive backups.

• OAuth Token Hijacking – Extracting stored authentication tokens from a device can allow access to cloud data without needing the password.

• Subpoenas and Legal Requests – Law enforcement agencies can request data directly from service providers like Apple or Google.

💡 Example: If an iPhone is locked, but iCloud backups are accessible, investigators can retrieve messages, call logs, and app data remotely.

D. RAM and Live Memory Analysis

If the device is powered on and unlocked, forensic tools can extract sensitive data before encryption takes effect:

• Volatility Framework & Rekall – Extracts live memory data to recover decryption keys, passwords, and active sessions.

• Dumping Process Memory – Captures credentials stored in RAM before they are cleared on shutdown.

💡 Example: If a suspect’s laptop is running, forensic investigators can use memory analysis tools to extract open browser sessions, decrypted files, and encryption keys.

3. Real-World Case Studies

Case 1: Unlocking a Drug Trafficker’s iPhone

• Device: iPhone 7 (iOS 12)

• Method Used: Checkm8 exploit to bypass USB restricted mode, then brute-force passcode using GrayKey.

• Outcome: Extracted WhatsApp messages, contacts, and location history, leading to multiple arrests.

Case 2: Extracting Data from an Encrypted Laptop

• Device: Windows 10 laptop with BitLocker encryption

• Method Used: Cold boot attack to retrieve encryption keys from RAM before shutdown.

• Outcome: Accessed hidden files proving financial fraud.

Case 3: Recovering Deleted Messages from a Suspect’s Android Phone

• Device: Samsung Galaxy S21 with Secure Folder enabled

• Method Used: Chip-off extraction to bypass Secure Folder and recover deleted Telegram messages.

• Outcome: Provided crucial evidence in a cyberstalking case.

4. Legal and Ethical Considerations

Forensic experts must adhere to strict legal and ethical guidelines when attempting to break encryption:

• Search Warrants & Subpoenas – Accessing encrypted data without proper legal authorization is illegal in most jurisdictions.

• Chain of Custody – All forensic actions must be documented to ensure evidence is admissible in court.

• Human Rights & Privacy – Many countries have laws protecting user data, such as GDPR in Europe and the Fifth Amendment in the U.S. (protection against self-incrimination).

💡 Example: In the San Bernardino iPhone case (2016), Apple refused to create a backdoor for the FBI. The agency ultimately used a third-party firm (believed to be Cellebrite) to extract the data.

Conclusion

Breaking encryption is one of the most challenging aspects of digital forensics. While strong encryption is essential for data security, forensic experts have developed various techniques to lawfully access data when necessary. From brute-force attacks and hardware exploits to cloud analysis and live memory extraction, digital forensics continues to evolve alongside security measures.

For investigators needing reliable forensic tools, a portable forensic workstation can be a game-changer—integrating high-performance hardware with the latest forensic software to analyze encrypted data efficiently.

👉 Interested in a high-performance forensic workstation? Visit forensicworkstation.ca 

5. High-Performance Password Cracking with a Password Accelerator Workstation

When dealing with encrypted devices that rely on passwords or passcodes, forensic experts can dramatically accelerate brute-force attacks by using specialized password-cracking workstations. These workstations are built with high-end hardware optimized for computationally intensive tasks like decrypting files, breaking password hashes, and attacking full-disk encryption.

The Power of a GPU-Accelerated Cracking Workstation

A well-equipped password-cracking system, such as the MiTAC FT65TB8030 AI Server, is an industry-leading solution for forensic professionals.

System Specifications:

• CPU: AMD 7C13, 64 cores / 128 threads, 256MB L3 cache

• Memory: 256GB DDR4 ECC (Error-Correcting Code)

• Storage: 18TB total across high-speed SSD and HDD

• RAID Support: Configurable RAID 1 & RAID 5 for redundancy

• GPU Power: 4x NVIDIA RTX 4090 for parallel computing

• PCIe 4.0 MegaRAID Controller for high-speed data processing

  
  

How This System Speeds Up Decryption

1. GPU Acceleration for Password Cracking

   • Unlike CPUs, which handle tasks sequentially, GPUs excel at parallel computing.

   • The RTX 4090’s CUDA cores allow tools like Hashcat and John the Ripper to attempt billions of password guesses per second.

   • This setup drastically reduces the time needed to brute-force encrypted files, login credentials, and database hashes.

2. Cracking Hashes from Encrypted Devices

   • Many encrypted devices store passwords as hashed values (SHA-256, bcrypt, PBKDF2, etc.).

   • The workstation can perform rainbow table attacks or dictionary-based attacks at an extreme speed.

3. Breaking Full-Disk Encryption

   • Encrypted drives using BitLocker, VeraCrypt, FileVault, and LUKS can be attacked using brute-force or precomputed password lists.

   • With 4 RTX 4090s running in parallel, the system can process password guesses thousands of times faster than traditional forensic computers.

4. AI-Assisted Password Guessing

   • Using machine learning, forensic experts can analyze common user behaviors and generate likely password variations.

   • AI models trained on breached password databases improve attack efficiency.

Real-World Use Case: Cracking a Suspect’s Laptop in Hours Instead of Months

A criminal investigation involving financial fraud required access to a suspect’s BitLocker-encrypted laptop.

• Traditional CPU-based cracking methods estimated 6+ months to brute-force the encryption key.

• Using a 4x RTX 4090 password accelerator workstation, investigators reduced the cracking time to under 48 hours.

• The decrypted laptop revealed critical evidence, including transaction records and incriminating communications.

Why Law Enforcement Agencies Need High-Performance Workstations

Forensic professionals handling encrypted devices can’t afford to spend months waiting for results. A Password Accelerator Workstation with multiple GPUs enables:✅ Rapid decryption of password-protected devices✅ Faster forensic investigations with real-time processing✅ Scalability to handle large datasets from multiple devices

💡 Interested in a high-performance forensic workstation? Visit forensicworkstation.ca to learn more.