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Security Researcher Reveals iOS Security Flaw, Gets Developer License Revoked

Monday November 7, 2011 11:52 pm PST by Arnold Kim

Security researcher Charlie Miller revealed earlier today that he had found an exploit in Apple's iOS software that allows an App to run arbitrary code. Apple generally approves all code that is submitted to the AppStore and forbids the execution of un-approved code, but Miller discovered a way to bypass this restriction. Forbes writes:

Miller became suspicious of a possible flaw in the code signing of Apple’s mobile devices with the release of iOS 4.3 early last year.
...
The researcher soon dug up a bug that allowed him to expand that code-running exception to any application he’d like.

Beyond discovering the bug, Miller went a step further and actually had an App submitted to the App Store which took advantage of this bug. The App was approved and was able to perform as expected:

Using his 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 new 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.

Shortly after the news broke, Apple revoked Miller's developer account, citing a breach of the developer agreement.

“This letter serves as notice of termination of the iOS Developer Program License Agreement…between you and Apple,” the email read. “Effective immediately.”

Miller plans to present his findings at the SysCan conference in Taiwan next week.

Top Rated Comments

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Fazzy

43 months ago

I guess he should have told apple about it instead of submitting that app

Rating: 61 Votes

miles01110

43 months ago

Meanwhile Google is handing out bounties for stuff like this. Because why would you want to get (almost) free help from industry-leading professionals? Submitting it to the App Store probably wasn't the way to go, though.

Rating: 43 Votes

thewitt

43 months ago

It's one thing to find a security hole and professionally inform Apple, quite another to write an app to exploit it and announce you will tell the works how to do it in a conference in a week...

Charlie is a smart guy who makes some really stupid decisions.

Professional developers disclose issues in iOS to Apple through secure channels all the time without this media madness.

Rating: 33 Votes

ChazUK

43 months ago

https://twitter.com/#!/0xcharlie/status/133739410662494208

For the record, without a real app in the AppStore, people would say Apple wouldn't approve an app that took advantage of this flaw.

That pretty much explains why he submitted the app for approval.

I have no doubt that many would have said this wouldn't have got through if he simply revealed the flaw without submitting an app.

Rating: 23 Votes

applebook

43 months ago

I wasn't aware that Google rewarded people for exploiting their security flaws without their consent. :rolleyes:

No company or person likes to be exploited. Miller should have revealed the findings instead of trying to take advantage of the flaw.

Rating: 22 Votes

iJanne

43 months ago

If you read the source article, the guy reported the bug to Apple a month ago.

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This makes Apple look pretty bad. And if he had submitted the bug what are the chances Apple would have responded in a timely manner if at all?

He submitted the bug to Apple on Oct 17 according to the source article.

Rating: 22 Votes

dethmaShine

43 months ago

I guess he should have told apple about it instead of submitting that app

That's what people are supposed to do and actually do. :)

Rating: 17 Votes

Daremo

43 months ago

He violated the TOS. It's not really surprising that Apple took this stance.

Rating: 16 Votes

dethmaShine

43 months ago

This makes Apple look pretty bad. And if he had submitted the bug what are the chances Apple would have responded in a timely manner if at all?

Are you an Apple developer? Bug reporter is very active and issue like this is treated as DEFCON 1. This is a huge bug when exploited is an unbelievably huge security leak. Apple cannot tolerate to have left this for more than a week as well.

Plus the guy made an app. Submitted it. Got it accepted and placed in the app store. Probably spent a month just to prove his concept.
Great. That's how you get revoked.

On another note, I'd be surprised if Apple doesn't take a stance against this developer as instead of giving this info to Apple, he decided he would make a video out of it and bring some free media hype and undeniable fame. Cool.

Rating: 16 Votes

Badgersnake

43 months ago

Telling Apple about it? Excellent, have a cookie.

Uploading an exploit to a live environment where people can download it? Not cool.

Rating: 16 Votes

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