This CHFI practice question tests your understanding of mobile and malware forensics. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which mobile forensic tool is commonly used to perform a physical extraction of an iOS device, including bypassing the lock screen on certain models?
Magnet AXIOM
Why wrong: AXIOM is a forensic platform that processes data from various sources but does not perform physical extraction directly.
GrayKey
GrayKey is designed for iOS physical extraction and passcode bypass.
Oxygen Forensic Detective
Why wrong: Oxygen can acquire iOS data but is not specifically known for passcode bypass like GrayKey.
FTK Imager
Why wrong: FTK Imager is a disk imaging tool for computers, not mobile devices.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
GrayKey
GrayKey is a specialized hardware tool designed by Grayshift that performs physical extraction of iOS devices, including bypassing the lock screen on certain models (e.g., iPhone 5 through iPhone X) by exploiting bootrom vulnerabilities or using brute-force techniques. It is widely used in law enforcement for forensic acquisition of iOS devices where logical extraction is insufficient.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Magnet AXIOM
Why it's wrong here
AXIOM is a forensic platform that processes data from various sources but does not perform physical extraction directly.
GrayKey
Why this is correct
GrayKey is designed for iOS physical extraction and passcode bypass.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Oxygen Forensic Detective
Why it's wrong here
Oxygen can acquire iOS data but is not specifically known for passcode bypass like GrayKey.
FTK Imager
Why it's wrong here
FTK Imager is a disk imaging tool for computers, not mobile devices.
Common exam traps
EC-Council often tests the distinction between logical extraction tools (like Magnet AXIOM or Oxygen Forensic Detective) and hardware-based physical extraction tools (like GrayKey), leading candidates to mistakenly choose a familiar forensic suite that cannot bypass iOS lock screens.
Detailed technical explanation
GrayKey leverages the checkm8 bootrom exploit (for devices up to iPhone X) to gain low-level access, allowing physical extraction of the device's NAND flash memory and bypassing the lock screen by disabling the passcode attempt limit or using a custom ramdisk. For newer devices (iPhone XS and later), GrayKey uses a combination of brute-force attacks on the Secure Enclave and advanced software techniques, though physical extraction may be limited. In real-world scenarios, GrayKey is often the only tool capable of extracting data from locked iOS devices without user interaction, making it critical for law enforcement investigations.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the CHFI exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Mobile and Malware Forensics — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Mobile and Malware Forensics practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All CHFI questions
1,000 questions across all exam domains
Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator CHFI study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
CHFI practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Investigation Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Fundamentals and Process.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Storage Forensics and File System Analysis.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Incident Response and First Responder Skills.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Computer Forensics Lab.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Evidence Acquisition and Duplication.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and Network Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to OS and File System Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Application, Email and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Mobile and Malware Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Network and Cloud Forensics.
Practise CHFI questions linked to Database and Application Forensics.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Mobile and Malware Forensics — This question tests Mobile and Malware Forensics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: GrayKey — GrayKey is a specialized hardware tool designed by Grayshift that performs physical extraction of iOS devices, including bypassing the lock screen on certain models (e.g., iPhone 5 through iPhone X) by exploiting bootrom vulnerabilities or using brute-force techniques. It is widely used in law enforcement for forensic acquisition of iOS devices where logical extraction is insufficient.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This CHFI practice question is part of Courseiva's free EC-Council certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CHFI exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.