"Hey Siri" support and possibly wireless charging case alongside AirPower charging mat.
iOS 7 Beta 4 Contains Fix For Malicious Charger Hack
Earlier this year, a trio of computer scientists discovered a flaw in iOS 6 that would theoretically allow an iPhone or an iPad to be hacked using a "malicious USB charger."
The researchers demonstrated the hack at the Black Hat Convention in Las Vegas today, showing off a custom built charger that was plugged into an iPhone. The charger, which took a week to design and cost just $45 in components, contained a small Linux computer programmed to launch an attack on iOS devices.
In this presentation, we demonstrate how an iOS device can be compromised within one minute of being plugged into a malicious charger. We first examine Apple’s existing security mechanisms to protect against arbitrary software installation, then describe how USB capabilities can be leveraged to bypass these defense mechanisms. To ensure persistence of the resulting infection, we show how an attacker can hide their software in the same way Apple hides its own built-in applications.According to a report from Reuters, the security flaw that could allow a fake charging station to potentially hack an iOS device has already been repaired in iOS 7.
Apple said the issue had been fixed in the latest beta of iOS 7, which has already been released to software developers.During the convention, the researchers successfully used the device they had constructed to hack into an iPhone, programming it to dial another phone. The group, worried that criminals might use the hack in malicious ways, publicized the issue in the spirit of "white hat" hacking.
"We would like to thank the researchers for their valuable input," Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said.
iOS 7, which is already in the hands of developers, is expected to be released to the general public this fall. Along with a fix for the charger hack, it also includes a number of new features like an overhauled Notification Center, a new Control Center, and a complete redesign. Apple continues to regularly release beta updates for the operating system, adding additional minor performance boosts and changes ahead of its official release.
[ 52 comments ]
Top Rated Comments
(View all)
69 months ago
Still, not enough to make me upgrade to iOS 7. Nice try Apple
Yup people at Apple are really tying hard to get you back son.
69 months ago
.....Apple said the issue had been fixed in the latest beta of iOS 7, which has already been released to software developers.
"We would like to thank the researchers for their valuable input," Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said.
Article Link: iOS 7 Beta 4 Contains Fix For Malicious Charger Hack (https://www.macrumors.com/2013/07/31/ios-7-beta-4-contains-fix-for-malicious-charger-hack/)
APPLE took that really well, for a change. They haven't always been so gracious in the past.
69 months ago
APPLE took that really well, for a change. They haven't always been so gracious in the past.
Perhaps the lack of blackmail was a factor.
69 months ago
Nice! It's good to see security researchers pushing the limits to uncover any exploits and share them in the spirit of "white hat" hacking.
----------
After this and the news of Chinese chargers possibly electrocuting people, I wouldn't be surprised if people thought twice before buying that $2-$5 charger on amazon.
----------
I'm glad there's a fix coming, but I always use Apple branded chargers. :cool:
After this and the news of Chinese chargers possibly electrocuting people, I wouldn't be surprised if people thought twice before buying that $2-$5 charger on amazon.
69 months ago
I'm glad there's a fix coming, but I always use Apple branded chargers. :cool:
69 months ago
I'm curious to see a picture of this malicious charger. Getting it small enough to be appealing would probably take some doing; AppleInsider has a pic if the mini-Linux-computer used, and small as it is, it's still just one component and is pretty big! You almost might as well disguise a Mac Mini as a charger.
(In fact, you could do just that, if you can convince people to plug into a "public" charge port, where the charger hardware is hidden out of sight.)
Actually they have often given public credit to those who have found flaws.
Not everyone who finds a flaw deserves gracious treatment: some of them are after fame (or even malicious acts for pay) and don't care who gets hurt or hacked. Others handle the information responsibly.
(In fact, you could do just that, if you can convince people to plug into a "public" charge port, where the charger hardware is hidden out of sight.)
APPLE took that really well, for a change. They haven't always been so gracious in the past.
Actually they have often given public credit to those who have found flaws.
Not everyone who finds a flaw deserves gracious treatment: some of them are after fame (or even malicious acts for pay) and don't care who gets hurt or hacked. Others handle the information responsibly.
69 months ago
Think twice and then still buy them, because they work.
So does natural selection.
[ Read All Comments ]
Adobe today updated its Lightroom app for iOS devices with support for Apple's latest iPhones and iPads.
Lightroom CC for iOS will now display properly on Apple's fall devices, including...
Tap, the company behind the futuristic Tap wearable keyboard, today announced the launch of a new TapAcademy app for iOS that's designed to make it easier to learn to use the keyboard.
Tap...
Verizon today announced the launch of a new "My Numbers" feature designed to let you add up to four additional numbers to a smartphone with unlimited calling and texting, for a total of five...
For this week's giveaway, we've teamed up with SANDMARC, a company that makes camera lenses for the iPhone, to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a kit that includes a set of Pro...
Popular weather app Weather Atlas, made by Contrast and Agile Tortoise, today received a major 2.0 update that adds new functionality and a new look to the app.
With the 2.0 update, Weather...
Anki has been making toys that use artificial intelligence for years now, starting with the Anki Overdrive set of racing cars and the interactive Cozmo toy robot, but this year the company launched...
Mophie recently announced the launch of its largest battery pack yet, the Powerstation 3XL, which is designed for charging Apple's line of MacBook and MacBook Air devices.
The Powerstation...
Apple today seeded the third beta of an upcoming macOS Mojave 10.14.2 update to developers, one week after seeding the second beta and two weeks after releasing the macOS Mojave 10.14.1 update.
...
