Apple loophole: bug in Safari allows hackers to access miniature cameras and webcams

Serious errors in the browser

April 4, 2020 at 2:52 pm Reading time: Two minutes

Just take over the webcam and microphone of all Apple devices through the link? A security researcher discovered some serious vulnerabilities in the Safari browser, which may spy on users. Are you monitoring

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The increased work in the home office currently provides more equipment for cyber criminals and fraudsters on many devices. In this way, security vulnerabilities in the device will become a potential gateway, and may also pose a danger to companies and private users. As reported by Wired magazine, a security researcher and hacker has pointed out three serious errors in the Apple Safari browser in December 2019.

These allow attackers to completely take over the webcams and microphones of all known Apple devices. It doesn't matter whether you use a MacBook, iMac or just iPhone or iPad Pro. There are gaps in all versions of Safari. There fore, if you are not careful, you may be monitored.

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The reason for this is the internal distribution of rights in the system. Whether it is macOS or iOS, users must first allow Safari to access the webcam, selfie camera or microphone. After completing this operation, the permissions will be registered in the system and remain valid until the permissions are revoked in the settings. If the user clicks on the manipulation link using the error in the browser, the hacker can access the hardware and use it freely.

Vulnerabilities closed in January and March

If you use the current version of iOS, macOS and iPadOS operating system, it means safe. Because Apple may attach great importance to the report of security researcher Ryan Pickren, and fix these problems with two major updates, and released it to all systems in January and March this year. It is no longer possible to attack through controlled links through the mentioned vulnerabilities.

Although Apple devices are generally regarded as very safe, some problems have occurred in the past. BSI warned of serious security vulnerabilities in macOS in January. After actually thinking that the gap has been eliminated, the warning only needs to be reissued within a short period of time. However, at the same time, these problems are now finally resolved.