Apple has swiftly resolved a critical security issue in iOS 16 that could have allowed attackers to remotely install spyware on an iPhone without any user intervention.
The discovery of this vulnerability was made by the Citizen Lab spyware research team just last week, prompting immediate action from Apple.
This zero-click zero-day vulnerability was exploited to install the Pegasus spyware from NGO Group onto an iPhone belonging to an employee of a civil society organization based in Washington, DC. Pegasus, developed by an Israeli company for government use, infects the targeted phone and surreptitiously transmits data, including photos, texts, audio recordings, and videos.
Apple wasted no time and released iOS 16.6.1 shortly after the discovery. Even if you don’t believe your iPhone is a target for spyware, it’s strongly advised to install this update. There remains a significant risk of attackers attempting to reverse engineer iOS security patches to exploit this newfound vulnerability, potentially leading to more widespread attacks.
Citizen Lab has not disclosed the full details of the vulnerability for security reasons, but it does require PassKit attachments containing malicious images distributed via iMessage. PassKit forms the foundation of Apple Pay and Wallet.
Citizen Lab has indicated that they plan to provide a more comprehensive analysis of the exploit chain in the near future.
In recent years, iOS security flaws have frequently made headlines, especially when they were exploited extensively before Apple could address them.
It’s worth noting that Citizen Lab asserts that Apple’s Lockdown option can provide protection against this latest attack. So, if you are concerned about the possibility of state-sponsored spyware targeting you, enabling this option is a prudent precaution.
On the other hand, Apple is gearing up to unveil its highly anticipated iPhone 15 series at a special event scheduled for September 12 but specifications of camera has been leaked before its launch.
This latest lineup comprises four distinct models: the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Amidst a flurry of speculations and leaks surrounding these smartphones, the most recent revelation pertains to their camera capabilities.
In the case of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, consumers can look forward to a significant camera upgrade. Both models are anticipated to boast a remarkable 48-megapixel primary camera, marking a substantial improvement over the 12-megapixel cameras featured in their predecessors.
