Current:Home > BackApple Issues Critical Patch To Fix Security Hole Exploited By Spyware Company-VaTradeCoin
Apple Issues Critical Patch To Fix Security Hole Exploited By Spyware Company
View Date:2025-01-08 16:11:34
BOSTON — Apple released a critical software patch to fix a security vulnerability that researchers said could allow hackers to directly infect iPhones and other Apple devices without any user action.
Researchers at the University of Toronto's Citizen Lab said the security issue was exploited to plant spyware on a Saudi activist's iPhone. They said they had high confidence that the world's most infamous hacker-for-hire firm, Israel's NSO Group, was behind that attack.
The previously unknown vulnerability affected all major Apple devices — iPhones, Macs and Apple Watches, the researchers said. NSO Group responded with a one-sentence statement saying it will continue providing tools for fighting "terror and crime."
It was the first time a so-called "zero-click" exploit — one that doesn't require users to click on suspect links or open infected files — has been caught and analyzed, the researchers said. They found the malicious code on Sept. 7 and immediately alerted Apple. The targeted activist asked to remain anonymous, they said.
"We're not necessarily attributing this attack to the Saudi government," said researcher Bill Marczak.
Citizen Lab previously found evidence of zero-click exploits being used to hack into the phones of al-Jazeera journalists and other targets, but hasn't previously seen the malicious code itself.
Although security experts say that average iPhone, iPad and Mac user generally need not worry — such attacks tend to be limited to specific targets — the discovery still alarmed security professionals.
Malicious image files were transmitted to the activist's phone via the iMessage instant-messaging app before it was hacked with NSO's Pegasus spyware, which opens a phone to eavesdropping and remote data theft, Marczak said. It was discovered during a second examination of the phone, which forensics showed had been infected in March. He said the malicious file causes devices to crash.
Citizen Lab says the case reveals, once again, that NSO Group is allowing its spyware to be used against ordinary civilians.
In a blog post, Apple said it was issuing a security update for iPhones and iPads because a "maliciously crafted" PDF file could lead to them being hacked. It said it was aware that the issue may have been exploited and cited Citizen Lab.
In a subsequent statement, Apple security chief Ivan Krstić commended Citizen Lab and said such exploits "are not a threat to the overwhelming majority of our users." He noted, as he has in the past, that such exploits typically cost millions of dollars to develop and often have a short shelf life. Apple didn't respond to questions regarding whether this was the first time it had patched a zero-click vulnerability.
Users should get alerts on their iPhones prompting them to update the phone's iOS software. Those who want to jump the gun can go into the phone settings, click "General" then "Software Update," and trigger the patch update directly.
Citizen Lab called the iMessage exploit FORCEDENTRY and said it was effective against Apple iOS, MacOS and WatchOS devices. It urged people to immediately install security updates.
Researcher John Scott-Railton said the news highlights the importance of securing popular messaging apps against such attacks. "Chat apps are increasingly becoming a major way that nation-states and mercenary hackers are gaining access to phones," he said. "And it's why it's so important that companies focus on making sure that they are as locked down as possible."
The researchers said it also undermines NSO Group's claims that it only sells its spyware to law enforcement officials for use against criminals and terrorists and audits its customers to ensure it's not abused.
"If Pegasus was only being used against criminals and terrorists, we never would have found this stuff," said Marczak.
Facebook's WhatsApp was also allegedly targeted by an NSO zero-click exploit. In October 2019, Facebook sued NSO in U.S. federal court for allegedly targeting some 1,400 users of the encrypted messaging service with spyware.
In July, a global media consortium published a damning report on how clients of NSO Group have been spying for years on journalists, human rights activists, political dissidents, and people close to them, with the hacker-for-hire group directly involved in the targeting. Amnesty International said it confirmed 37 successful Pegasus infections based on a leaked targeting list whose origin was not disclosed.
One case involved the fiancee of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi just four days after he was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. The CIA attributed the murder to the Saudi government.
The recent revelations also prompted calls for an investigation into whether Hungary's right-wing government used Pegasus to secretly monitor critical journalists, lawyers and business figures. India's parliament also erupted in protests as opposition lawmakers accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government of using NSO Groups' product to spy on political opponents and others.
France is also trying to get to the bottom of allegations that President Emmanuel Macron and members of his government may have been targeted in 2019 by an unidentified Moroccan security service using Pegasus. Morocco, a key French ally, denied those reports and is taking legal action to counter allegations implicating the North African kingdom in the spyware scandal.
veryGood! (4126)
Related
- Shaun White Reveals How He and Fiancée Nina Dobrev Overcome Struggles in Their Relationship
- Google antitrust trial over online advertising set to begin
- Congress takes up a series of bills targeting China, from drones to drugs
- Shailene Woodley Shares Outlook on Love 2 Years After Aaron Rodgers Breakup
- Disney Store's Black Friday Sale Just Started: Save an Extra 20% When You Shop Early
- After 26 years, a Border Patrol agent has a new role: helping migrants | The Excerpt
- Here's how to free up space on your iPhone: Watch video tutorial
- She clocked in – and never clocked out. Arizona woman's office death is a wake-up call.
- Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
- 2024 Halloween costume ideas: Beetlejuice, Raygun, Cowboys Cheerleaders and more
Ranking
- Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
- Wildfires east of LA, south of Reno, Nevada, threaten homes, buildings, lead to evacuations
- Why The Bear Star Will Poulter's Fitness Transformation Has Everyone Saying Yes, Chef
- Hakeem Jeffries rejects GOP spending bill as ‘unserious and unacceptable’
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- Selena Gomez Says She Can't Carry Her Own Children Amid Health Journey
- Amy Adams Makes Rare Comments About 14-Year-Old Daughter Aviana
- Waffle House CEO Walt Ehmer dies at 58 after a long illness
Recommendation
-
Patrick Mahomes Breaks Silence on Frustrating Robbery Amid Ongoing Investigation
-
'Hillbilly Elegy' director Ron Howard 'concerned' by Trump and Vance campaign rhetoric
-
Pitt fires athletic director Heather Lyke months before her contract was set to expire
-
Extra private school voucher funding gets initial OK from North Carolina Senate
-
Democratic state leaders prepare for a tougher time countering Trump in his second term
-
Colorado rattlesnake 'mega-den' webcam shows scores of baby snakes born in recent weeks
-
Authorities vow relentless search as manhunt for interstate shooter enters third day in Kentucky
-
2025 Hyundai Tucson adds comfort, safety features for babies and pet passengers