If you're comfortable with the command line, you can use various tools to customize your desktop environment further:
Crucially, as of June 2024, Cilocks is no longer available in the official Kali Linux repositories (apt install cilocks returns "Package not found"). The Kali team does not endorse it, and they actively recommend alternatives like aircrack-ng or Bettercap for legitimate wireless assessments.
Of course, no patch is perfect. Security researchers have already identified a few residual paths:
OffSec has since released a second incremental patch (2024.2) closing most of these.
To create a custom launcher:
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=My Custom Launcher
Exec=/usr/bin/my_custom_command
Icon=/usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/my_custom_icon.png
Replace /usr/bin/my_custom_command and /usr/share/icons/hicolor/48x48/apps/my_custom_icon.png with your desired command and icon path.
Your custom launcher should now appear in the applications menu.
CiLocks is a terminal-based open-source exploitation tool used in Kali Linux primarily for bypassing or brute-forcing lock screens on Android and iOS devices. Recent reports and user discussions indicate that while the tool remains popular for educational research, its effectiveness has been significantly limited by modern security patches on mobile operating systems. Tool Overview
Primary Function: Bypassing or brute-forcing PINs, patterns, and passwords on mobile devices. Additional Features: kali linux cilocks patched
Retrieving detailed system information from the target device. IP tracking and logging (IP logger). Remote access capabilities, such as webcam activation.
Platform: Designed for Kali Linux and requires the Android Debug Bridge (ADB) to communicate with target devices. The "Patched" Status and Limitations
The term "patched" in the context of CiLocks generally refers to mobile OS security updates rather than a fix for the tool itself. Users frequently report that the tool is no longer effective on modern devices due to:
Modern Security Architecture: Newer Android and iOS versions have hardened lock-screen protections that block the automated interaction methods used by CiLocks.
ADB Authorization: Modern Android devices require explicit manual authorization on the screen to allow ADB commands. If a device is locked and "USB Debugging" is not already enabled and authorized, CiLocks often fails with a "no devices/emulators found" error.
Brute-Force Protections: System-level delays and account lockouts after multiple failed attempts have effectively "patched" the vulnerability that allowed tools like CiLocks to rapidly guess PINs. Common Technical Issues
Reports from the developer community on GitHub highlight several persistent hurdles for users:
Device Detection: Many users encounter errors where the tool cannot see the connected phone, often requiring manual installation of SDK platform-tools or specific driver configurations. If you're comfortable with the command line, you
Syntax & Installation Errors: Some versions of the script have reported syntax errors (e.g., in the brute-force wordlist logic) or permission issues that require running the script with sudo bash cilocks. Summary of Effectiveness Status on Modern OS (Android 11+/iOS 14+) Lockscreen Bypass Highly Ineffective (Blocked by OS security) PIN Brute-Force Limited (Throttled by system lockout timers) Information Gathering Functional (If ADB is already authorized) error: no devices/emulators found #35 - tegal1337/CiLocks
, a popular Android screen lock bypass tool, has faced significant functional challenges in recent Kali Linux environments due to underlying dependency updates and "patches" in Android security. While many users search for a "patched" version of the tool, the reality often involves manual configuration fixes to address its aging codebase. The CiLocks Landscape in 2026
CiLocks is an open-source Android exploitation framework primarily used for PIN, Pattern, and Password bruteforcing via ADB (Android Debug Bridge). Developed by tegal1337 on GitHub , it has become a staple for mobile penetration testing on Kali Linux
However, recent "patches" in the cybersecurity community aren't just about bug fixes; they refer to how Android has mitigated the very vulnerabilities CiLocks exploits. Key Challenges & Fixes
If you are running CiLocks on a modern Kali rolling release, you likely encounter execution errors or "failed" status messages. Here is how the community is currently "patching" the experience: Dependency Management : Modern Kali installations require specific versions of
. Many "patched" versions found on forums simply update the script's pathing to point to /usr/bin/adb correctly. Android Security Patches
: Devices running Android 10 and above have "patched" the ability to bypass the lock screen without wiping data. CiLocks remains effective primarily on older Android versions (4.4 to 9.0) or devices with insecure configurations. The "Syntax Error" Patch
: Many users report syntax errors during installation. This is often fixed by manually installing the missing components: sudo apt update && sudo apt install adb python3-pip -y Use code with caution. Copied to clipboard Where to Find the Tool Of course, no patch is perfect
While there is no "official" patch released by the original author in recent years, community-driven forks and GitHub Issues provide the most up-to-date workarounds. Official Repository tegal1337/CiLocks Community Guides : Educational platforms like ARGCYBERSKILLHUB
often host walkthroughs for installing the tool in Termux or Kali environments. Ethical & Technical Disclaimer Target Devices
: This tool is designed for educational purposes and authorized penetration testing. Functionality : Its success rate is highly dependent on the target's Android Security Patch Level
. Modern "File-Based Encryption" (FBE) on newer Android devices makes traditional bruteforcing via this method nearly impossible without specialized hardware. For those looking for more modern alternatives, tools like patchleaks on Kali
help security researchers analyze how vulnerabilities are officially patched in codebases, which is the current "pro" way to handle exploit development.
The update addressed three specific areas:
These clocks are critical for system timers and scheduling. The patch blocks writes to these from any process running under a seccomp filter or within a container breakout attempt. This directly kills exploits that tried to desynchronize CLOCK_BOOTTIME vs CLOCK_MONOTONIC to trick the kernel’s watchdog.
Let’s avoid vague statements. Here’s what the patchset (part of the linux-image-6.6-amd64 and later) actually changed: