Home Cybersecurity Apple iOS Bug Makes iPhones and iPads Vulnerable to Data-Theft Attack

Apple iOS Bug Makes iPhones and iPads Vulnerable to Data-Theft Attack

Posted: November 14, 2014

ios ipad iphone bug data theft attacksThe all-mighty Apple seems to be the ironclad force to reckon with when it comes to cybersecurity as their devices usually do not succumb to cyber-attacks or vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, there are those rare instances that Apple's famous iOS operating system gets a bug or two that makes it susceptible to attacks, which has recently been the case with the latest version of iOS.

Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered and warned of a bug in Apple's iOS operating system that makes iPhones and iPad vulnerable to attacks where hackers could obtain sensitive data and take control of the devices. The security firm FireEye Inc has been on the scene to publish details about the vulnerability on their blog, where it was identified to force users to install malicious applications that contain bad web links, text messages or emails.

In a perfect world, users are not enabled to install 3rd party apps or any apps that are not approved by the Apple Store. In this recent rash of a serious iOS bug, it appears that cybercrooks have found a vulnerability within the popular mobile operating system to exploit a vulnerability and install a malicious app. Once installed, this malicious app could be used to steal data stored on the device ranging from banking and email login credentials or other sensitive information that could lead to serious issues like identity theft.

"It is a very powerful vulnerability and it is easy to exploit," FireEye Senior Staff Research Scientist Tao Wei said in an interview.

Currently, the malicious app has been identified as WireLurker. Researchers believe there are more apps like this one on the way and could exploit vulnerabilities found within iOS versions 7.1.1, 7.1.2, 8.0, 8.1 and 8.1.1 beta for either jailbroken iPhones or ones that utilize the iOS software directly from the Apple store.

Experts and security researchers are strongly urging iOS device users to avoid installing apps from any other source than their usually Apple store through iTunes. Installing anything on your iOS device from the internet or a third-party website is a sure way of allowing this vulnerability to propagate and end up turning you into its next victim of data theft.

Currently, Apple has not reached out to explain or outwardly address this iOS bug. We suspect a new iOS update will be rolled out to address it in the weeks to come, in addition to strongly urging those running older versions of iOS to immediately update their device.

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