Apple`s concern with what kind of apps are allowed on its site; The extra attention and the security measures they pay to the apps have secured Apple`s Mobile platform against malware compared to its Google competitor Android.

We got some interesting news today that might breach that blind faith in Apple`s security measures. According to Forbes, infamous hacker Charlie Miller has discovered a bug that could hide malicious code into an application that would be undetectable to App Store screeners.

Forbes explains his latest find:

“At the SysCan conference in Taiwan next week, Miller plans to present a method that exploits a flaw in Apple’s restrictions on code signing on iOS devices, the security measure that allows only Apple-approved commands to run in an iPhone or iPad’s memory. Using this method—and Miller has already planted a sleeper app in Apple’s App Store to demonstrate the trick—an app can phone home to a remote computer that downloads unapproved commands onto the device and executes them at will, including stealing the user’s photos, reading contacts, making the phone vibrate or play sounds, or otherwise repurposing normal iOS app functions for malicious ends.”

This sleeper app mentioned in Miller`s article is called Instastock. It`s described as a simple list of stock tickers, but that`s not all. This app communicates with Miller`s home server and execute his custom commands.

Apple has consequently taken the app of the App Store along with Miller from the iOS dev program all together. The hacker responded in a tweet saying that it “feels a bit heavy handed,I miss Steve”.
Miller will not reveal his bug until his Syscan presentation next week giving Apple by that more time to work on the exploit.

CONTACT US

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.

Sending

Log in with your credentials

Forgot your details?