IOS Burp Configuration

iOS Burp Suite Configuration

This skill guides you through configuring Burp Suite for iOS device traffic interception, SSL pinning bypass, and network analysis.

Quick Start

1. Choose your method: Automated (Burp Mobile Assistant) or Manual
2. Configure proxy: Set up iOS device to route traffic through Burp
3. Install certificate: Trust the Burp CA certificate on the device
4. Verify: Test that traffic flows through Burp

Method 1: Automated Installation (Recommended)

Use Burp Mobile Assistant for the simplest setup:

1. Download and install Burp Mobile Assistant from PortSwigger
2. Connect your iOS device via USB
3. Follow the assistant's guided setup for:
   • Burp certificate installation
   • Proxy configuration
   • SSL pinning bypass

When to use: First-time setup, non-technical users, or when you want the most reliable configuration.

Method 2: Manual Installation

Step 1: Configure Proxy on iOS

1. Connect iOS device to the same Wi-Fi network as your Burp machine
2. On iOS: Settings → Wi-Fi → tap the (i) icon for your network
3. Scroll to HTTP Proxy → select Manual
4. Enter:
   • Server: Your Burp machine's IP address
   • Port: 8080
5. Toggle Use Automatic Proxy Configuration to OFF
6. Save and return

Step 2: Download Burp Certificate

1. Open Safari on the iOS device
2. Navigate to: http://burp (or http://<burp-ip>:8080)
3. Download the certificate file (usually cacert.der)

Step 3: Install and Trust Certificate

1. Go to Settings → General → VPN & Device Management
2. Tap the downloaded profile (PortSwigger CA)
3. Tap Install and enter passcode if prompted
4. Go to Settings → General → About → Certificate Trust Settings
5. Under Enable Full Trust for Root Certificates, toggle PortSwigger CA to ON
6. Confirm the warning dialog

Step 4: Verify Configuration

1. Open Safari on iOS and visit https://httpbin.org/ip
2. Check Burp's Proxy → HTTP history tab
3. You should see the request appear in Burp

Advanced: Jailbroken Devices

For jailbroken iOS devices, use SSH over USB for direct traffic routing:

Prerequisites

• Jailbroken iOS device
• iproxy installed on your machine
• SSH access to the device (root)

Setup Commands

# Forward SSH port from iOS to localhost
iproxy 2222 22

# Create remote port forward to Burp
ssh -R 8080:localhost:8080 root@localhost -p 2222

Configure iOS Proxy

After establishing the SSH tunnel:

1. On iOS: Settings → Wi-Fi → (i) → HTTP Proxy → Manual
2. Set Server: 127.0.0.1
3. Set Port: 8080
4. Save

Why this works: The SSH tunnel routes iOS traffic directly to your Burp instance without requiring network-level proxy configuration.

iOS Simulator Configuration

For testing on iOS Simulator (macOS only):

Step 1: Export Burp Certificate

1. In Burp Suite: Proxy → Options → Export CA certificate
2. Select Certificate in DER format
3. Save as burp.der

Step 2: Import to Simulator

1. Drag and drop burp.der into the iOS Simulator window
2. The certificate will be installed automatically

Step 3: Trust the Certificate

1. In Simulator: Settings → General → Profile
2. Tap PortSwigger CA
3. Tap Verify
4. Go to Settings → General → About → Certificate Trust Settings
5. Toggle PortSwigger CA to ON
6. Confirm the warning

Step 4: Configure macOS Proxy

The iOS Simulator inherits macOS proxy settings:

1. System Preferences → Network → Advanced
2. Select Proxies tab
3. Check:
   • ☑ Web Proxy (HTTP)
   • ☑ Secure Web Proxy (HTTPS)
4. For both, enter:
   • Proxy Server: 127.0.0.1
   • Port: 8080
5. Click OK → Apply

Note: The simulator will now route all traffic through Burp automatically.

Network Traffic Monitoring with Wireshark

For capturing non-HTTP traffic (TCP, UDP, etc.) from iOS devices:

Prerequisites

• macOS with Wireshark installed
• iOS device connected via USB
• rvictl tool available (comes with Wireshark on macOS)

Setup Steps

1. Get the iOS device UDID:

   # List connected devices
   rvictl -l
   

2. Start remote virtual interface:

   rvictl -s <UDID>
   # Output: Starting device <UDID> [SUCCEEDED] with interface rvi0
   

3. Open Wireshark and select interface rvi0

4. Apply capture filters (optional):

   • For specific IP: host 192.168.1.100
   • For HTTP only: tcp port 80 or tcp port 443
   • For specific app traffic: host <app-server-ip>

Useful Wireshark Filters

Troubleshooting

Certificate Not Trusted

Symptom: Apps show SSL errors or refuse to connect

Fix:

1. Verify you enabled full trust in Certificate Trust Settings
2. On iOS 15+, some apps require additional SSL pinning bypass
3. Try reinstalling the certificate (delete old profile first)

No Traffic Appearing in Burp

Symptom: Burp shows no HTTP history

Checklist:

• iOS device and Burp machine on same network
• Proxy settings correctly configured on iOS
• Burp is listening on port 8080
• Firewall not blocking port 8080
• Certificate is trusted (not just installed)

Simulator Not Routing Through Burp

Symptom: Simulator traffic doesn't appear in Burp

Fix:

1. Verify macOS proxy settings are applied
2. Restart the iOS Simulator after changing proxy settings
3. Check that Burp is running and listening on 8080

Quick Reference

Resources

• PortSwigger iOS Configuration Guide
• Burp Mobile Assistant Documentation
• Wireshark Mobile Traffic Capture