Google Detects An iPhone Bug That Allows Hackers To Access WhatsApp Chat

The Project Zero team of Google has recently detected an iPhone bug that allows hackers to access database files on end-to-end encryption applications such as iMessage, WhatsApp, and Telegram.

The researchers identified many hacked websites which made use of security flaws on iOS devices to attack the iPhone owners who accessed these websites. The websites’ major targets include messages, location data, as well as the personal files of users. Apple immediately patched the vulnerabilities after being informed about them.

In addition, they stated that chat content in both Telegram and WhatsApp was leaked.

One of the researchers of the Project Zero, Ian Beer said:

This implant mainly aimed to steal files and upload location data of iPhone users in real-time. According to the researchers:

They also said that the bug could attack all models as well as all version of operating systems for iPhones, including iOS 10 and iOS 12. The only condition was that iOS users accessed the hacked websites which allowed hackers to install tracking software into their devices. Beer further said:

On its blog post, Google wrote, “We estimate that these sites receive thousands of visitors per week.”