FaceTime for Mac Beta Opens Up Security Hole to Allow for Compromised Apple IDs
As related by MacNotes.de, Apple's new FaceTime for Mac beta application contains several security issues that could easily result in a user's Apple ID and iTunes Store account being compromised by individuals with physical access to the user's machine.
The primary issue appears to be FaceTime for Mac's display of account information, which reveals the user's date of birth and security question and answer for their account once signed in with their Apple ID, with no secondary request for password authentication. Consequently, anyone with physical access to a user's machine could view that information, which can then be used to reset the password for the account without requiring any email or other confirmation. The password can also be reset directly within the FaceTime application without a requirement that the current password be entered.
And while a user should in theory be able to address this issue by signing out of their account in FaceTime, the application automatically remembers the account details for the last-used account and pre-populates them the next time the application is opened or a sign-in is attempted.
Obviously there are any number of ways that sensitive information could be viewed or compromised by individuals with physical access to a user's machine, but the FaceTime application seems to make such actions remarkably easy, making private account reset information plainly visible at any point after initial log-in to the service.
Update: Apple appears to have addressed the issue on its end, as users are reporting that attempting to select the "View Account" option in FaceTime for Mac's preferences now briefly takes them to a blank window before bouncing them back to the selection page and offering no ability to view the account information.
Popular Stories
Following nearly two years of rumors about a fourth-generation iPhone SE, The Information today reported that Apple suppliers are finally planning to begin ramping up mass production of the device in October of this year. If accurate, that timeframe would mean that the next iPhone SE would not be announced alongside the iPhone 16 series in September, as expected. Instead, the report...
Key details about the overall specifications of the iPhone 17 lineup have been shared by the leaker known as "Ice Universe," clarifying several important aspects of next year's devices. Reports in recent months have converged in agreement that Apple will discontinue the "Plus" iPhone model in 2025 while introducing an all-new iPhone 17 "Slim" model as an even more high-end option sitting...
Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today shared alleged specifications for a new ultra-thin iPhone 17 model rumored to launch next year. Kuo expects the device to be equipped with a 6.6-inch display with a current-size Dynamic Island, a standard A19 chip rather than an A19 Pro chip, a single rear camera, and an Apple-designed 5G chip. He also expects the device to have a...
Apple typically releases its new iPhone series around mid-September, which means we are about two months out from the launch of the iPhone 16. Like the iPhone 15 series, this year's lineup is expected to stick with four models – iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max – although there are plenty of design differences and new features to take into account. To bring ...
Apple’s iCloud Private Relay service is down for some users, according to Apple’s System Status page. Apple says that the iCloud Private Relay service may be slow or unavailable. The outage started at 2:34 p.m. Eastern Time, but it does not appear to be affecting all iCloud users. Some impacted users are unable to browse the web without turning iCloud Private Relay off, while others are...
Apple is planning to release at least one iPhone 17 model next year with mechanical aperture, according to a report published today by The Information. The mechanical system would allow users to adjust the size of the iPhone 17's aperture, which refers to the opening of the camera lens through which light enters. All existing iPhone camera lenses have fixed apertures, but some Android...
