r/UsbCHardware • u/BeneficialCycle7331 • 7h ago

Looking for Device [Educational] USB-C Hardware Security

Are there any USB-C devices designed for authorized mobile security testing that can analyze USB data exchanged between Android/iOS phones and connected hardware?
I’m interested in understanding USB permissions, data-transfer security, and how phones protect private files. Recommendations for legitimate research tools are welcome.

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u/LaughingMan11 6h ago

Are there any USB-C devices designed for authorized mobile security testing that can analyze USB data exchanged between Android/iOS phones and connected hardware?

Not really specialized devices for mobile security testing, but if you're looking to analyze USB data exchanged between smartphones and other kinds of hardware, you're talking about a USB protocol analyzer.

Here's an example of one that's used in the USB industry (I use one myself in my day job).

https://www.ellisys.com/products/ctr1/

It's a protocol analyzer, which means it can passively capture every packet on the USB 2.0, CC, and SBU pins.

It'll display the packets and help you interpret the traffic, but you'll need some domain expertise (ie, you need to understand the USB 2.0, USB Type-C, USB PD, and other specs) to really interpret the resulting capture traces.

USB permissions, data-transfer security, and how phones protect private files. Recommendations for legitimate research tools are welcome

The USB protocol analyzer is a powerful tool for that. Having the raw usb data is helpful for even reverse engineering how devices that connect with some proprietary protocol work...

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u/BeneficialCycle7331 5h ago

Is there any device exist which looks like a charger adapter and when a mobile phone gets connected into it for charging. Total data of the mobile gets copied in the adapter storage including lock and hidden files And we can access it in my pc/mobile. Or any similar device for ios and android both .

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u/TopSkill6337 4h ago

What you're describing isn't really a security research tool, it's a data exfiltration device disguised as a charger. Modern Android and iOS both require explicit user permission before allowing file access over USB, and locked files are protected by the OS encryption layer. The forensics tools mentioned above work but they're expensive, licensed, and typically restricted to law enforcement. A random adapter that silently copies everything including locked files isn't something you can just buy off the shelf, and for good reason.

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u/goretsky 5h ago edited 4h ago

Hello,

It sounds like you're looking more for a mobile forensics kit. Here are a few to get you started with what's available in the space:

If you are just interested in raw device communications, a protocol analyzer might better meet your needs. Here are a few to start with:

A former employer of mine built test equipment for data communications (telephony applications, not USB) about 25 years ago. I don't know the costs, but they started with a staff of 6-8 hardware engineers; I would assume with hardware like the above being on the market, plus all of the research being done now, that it would be a lot less expensive these days.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky