Yesterday Wikileaks leaked documents named Vault 7. Vault 7 details the government’s efforts to hack popular devices like iPhones, Android phones, and Samsung smart TVs. According to a Wikileaks Vault 7 press release the CIA has a special branch dedicated to attacks against the iPhone.
Despite iPhone’s minority share (14.5%) of the global smart phone market in 2016, a specialized unit in the CIA’s Mobile Development Branch produces malware to infest, control and exfiltrate data from iPhones and other Apple products running iOS, such as iPads. CIA’s arsenal includes numerous local and remote “zero days” developed by CIA or obtained from GCHQ, NSA, FBI or purchased from cyber arms contractors such as Baitshop. The disproportionate focus on iOS may be explained by the popularity of the iPhone among social, political, diplomatic and business elites.
Yesterday, Apple said in a statement provided to TechCrunch that most of the vulnerabilities detailed in the leaks have been patched.
“Apple is deeply committed to safeguarding our customers’ privacy and security. The technology built into today’s iPhone represents the best data security available to consumers, and we’re constantly working to keep it that way. Our products and software are designed to quickly get security updates into the hands of our customers, with nearly 80 percent of users running the latest version of our operating system. While our initial analysis indicates that many of the issues leaked today were already patched in the latest iOS, we will continue work to rapidly address any identified vulnerabilities. We always urge customers to download the latest iOS to make sure they have the most recent security updates.”
I think this tweet puts the whole thing in perspective.
ldstephens 