Today was supposed to be the big day for GeenPois0n, an iOS 4.1 jailbreak tool based on the SHAtter exploit. However, Geohot dropped in to steal the show yesterday with the release of his own Limera1n tool.
The problem comes from the fact that Geohot's Limera1n tool uses a different bottom exploit than the one that was supposed to be released today based the work of the Chronic Dev Team and the iPhone Dev Team. Since Apple likely wouldn't release a new hardware revision for current generation devices to block the bootrom exploit, it would be useable until Apple releases its next generation iOS devices.
Instead of releasing two separate bootrom exploits in short succession, giving Apple the opportunity to kill both of them at once when the latest crop of iOS devices are released, the Chronic Dev Team has made the decision to delay its SHAtter-based exploit and instead release a new tool based on Geohot's implementation according to Redmond Pie.
The Chronic Dev Team states:
Thanks to the irresponsible antics of geohot, we will have to delay the release of greenpois0n (new ETA = as soon as possible), so that we have time to clean up his little mess and integrate the exploit he uses in limera1n into greenpois0n. This way, we can save SHAtter for future devices that may still be vulnerable to it.
We know that this is not what some people want to hear, but due to geohot needing to feed his ego (as usual) and revealing his limera1n exploit, we do not have any other responsible options.
The Chronic Dev Team seems especially peeved that Geohot's Limera1n is simply a beta release and has plenty of bugs in it, and that it was seemingly released a day before GreenPois0n just to steal the spotlight. In addition, Geohot's jailbreak only works on Windows-based machines -- for now.
But the good news is that a jailbreak solution for the iPhone 4 and iPod touch 4G is now available, albeit in less than optimum form. If you want to take your chances and use Geohot's solution, you can grab it here (Windows-only). However, it may be a safer bet until GreenPois0n is updated to take advantage of Geohot's exploit.
This release by Geohot has ruffled some feathers in the iPhone development community. He upstaged the work of the chronic dev team and made a slight dig at them with an off-hand comment on the limera1n webpage, “released today to get chronicdev to do the right thing”.
After a few
mini-explosions of anger and
dismay made public on twitter, the chronic dev team confirmed that they will re-work their greenpois0n jailbreak tool to use Geohot’s exploit, not SHAttered. Per the iPhone dev team’s request, this move may delay the greenposi0n tool but will save the SHAtter exploit for future use if needed. The controversy does not end there, though. It gets even juicier.
Playing out like a daytime soap opera for nerds, the chronic dev team is
accusing Geohot of deceiving comex to beat them to the punch. According to the circulating gossip, Geohot obtained help with untethering from comex. In return for this help, Geohot reportedly agreed to release his jailbreaking tool after greenpois0n had hit the scene. As we all know, that is not how it played out. Disclaimer: this reported deception is all hearsay so take it with a grain of salt.
In the end, Geohot played his hand first and subsequent jailbreak tools will need to use his exploit. If other dev teams chose to release their own tools that reveal new exploits, its opens up the possibility that Apple could fix both exploits in one release. Keeping the SHAtter exploit under wraps is good for the Apple community in the long run, not so good for the chronic dev team whose greenpois0n tool now needs a major re-write.
Despite all the controversy, the Apple community now has a jailbreak tool for the latest versions of iOS and beyond. Interested parties can download the limara1n tool
here. If you dare to take the plunge, share your success or failures with us in the comments.
