Disgruntled hacker leaks Snapchat’s iOS source code on GitHub

Apparently, a hacker has leaked Snapchat’s source code on GitHub. Although GitHub has taken down the violating repository, you can still download the leaked source code below.

Snapchat source code uploaded to GitHub

Yesterday, developer Khalid al-Shehri discovered Snapchat’s iOS source code using Filza file manager on his jailbroken iPhone. Subsequently, the developer tried to contact their support on Twitter but failed to evoke a response.

A disgruntled al-Shehri then decided to leak the source code and uploaded it publicly to his GitHub repository. The original repository has gone offline thanks to Snap’s DMCA request but a few mirrors still floating around on the internet.

The problem we tried to communicate with you but did not succeed
In that we decided
Deploy source code
I will post it again until you reply 🙂 @snapchatsupport @Snapchat https://t.co/aB58eOjGLE

— خالد الشهري #الاسطورة (@i5aaaald) August 4, 2018

The game is still on, though. He has threatened to leak more parts of the source code if the company fails to concede to his demands or give him the “rewards” he deserves.

Per Snap, the May update accidentally exposed some parts of the source code. The developers erroneously copied some functions into the app bundle.

However, the source code was still out of reach of the average user. The hacker only managed to delve deep into the app because he had access to a jailbroken device.

Reverse-engineering the leaked source code

Security researcher x0rz got his hands on the DMCA takedown request submitted by Snapchat.

According to x0rz, this may not be the complete source code considering the number of SLOC (source lines of code) it contains.

The hacker also remarked that the “unzipped size” of the source code archive stands at a measly 2 MB. The source code, too, contains only around 22,000 SLOC.

The size of the official Snapchat app, on the other hand, is 296.3 MB. Therefore, its source code is bound to have a significantly higher number of SLOC.

You can download the source code ZIP file using the link below, for research purposes of course. If the link goes offline, just leave a comment below and we will upload a new mirror.

Download Snapchat source code

• ZIP package

What next for the Snapchat hacking scene?

Snapchat’s source code leaking online is a dream come true for both hackers and users. Renowned Snapchat hackers like Cokepokes, UnlimApps, and Othman often find themselves in the midst of a cat-and-mouse game with Snapchat.

These developers repeatedly release new versions of their hacked apps and tweaks – only for them to get banned with the latest Snapchat update. 

Poking around the app’s source code will allow the developers to come up with new ideas to circumvent its defenses.

Here’s hoping this leak will make bypassing Snapchat’s latest DRM system somewhat easier. If all goes well, we will get that much-needed Phantom update very soon.

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