This mechanism enables dynamic modification of application behavior at runtime on Apple’s mobile operating system. It facilitates the interception and alteration of function calls, enabling developers and security researchers to inject custom code into existing applications without modifying the original source code. For instance, one could use it to log specific function parameters or to alter the return value of a sensitive security check.
Its utility lies in its ability to provide deep insights into application workings, facilitate reverse engineering efforts, and enable the implementation of dynamic patches or enhancements. It’s particularly valuable in security auditing, where it can be used to uncover vulnerabilities and test the robustness of security measures. Historically, such dynamic instrumentation techniques have been crucial for understanding closed-source software and bypassing security restrictions.
