Apple iOS is one of the secure mobile platform but unexpectedly, all Apple devices are vulnerable to attack through fake charging stations. In this regard Apple promised that iOS 7 will fix the bug and issue had already resolved within the latest iOS 7 beta version, reports Reuters.
Apple devices currently vulnerable to attack through fake charging stations, fix on way within iOS 7
According to the news agency, three scientists from Georgia Institute of Technology have alerted Apple about the vulnerability available within all iOS running devices earlier this year. The issue was even demonstrated at the hacking-centric Black Hat conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday. The vulnerability was demonstrated through a custom-built charger which was connected with an iPhone and equipped with a Linux computer that was programmed to attack iOS devices.
During the demonstration, the vulnerability was shown at its peak when the infected iPhone even dial a number of a researcher present there. The report states the whole equipment costs $45 and needs a week to design, which easily hacks any iOS device through some Linux codes.
After the issue came into light, Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said;
“We would like to thank the researchers for their valuable input.”
The issue lightened by Georgia scientists team, including Billy Lau, research scientist and graduate students Yeongjin Jang and Chengyu Song. On the newly discovered vulnerability, Lau stated that attackers can use the vulnerability in a negative direction and produce virus attacks across all iOS running devices. The attackers can remotely take screenshots to grab credentials and access emails, texts and contact information or track the location of the phone’s owner, Lau revealed.
Lau stated that such vulnerability is not available among Android devices as the operating system alerts user whenever plugging the device into a computer, or a charging station. He further stated that after getting the iOS 7 update, Apple devices will also alert the end-user, each time when connected to a computer or an operating system based charging station.