14 DAY TRIAL // iOS 7.0.2, released just hours ago to the masses, contains fixes meant to deter a couple of Passcode Lock hacks affecting the security of Apple’s new mobile OS. An advisory on Apple’s Support site describes the bugs in detail.
Affecting only iPhones, starting with the 2010 edition (iPhone 4), one of the vulnerabilities can allow a person with physical access to the device to make calls to any number.
The Cupertino giant explains that “A NULL dereference existed in the lock screen which would cause it to restart if the emergency call button was tapped repeatedly.”
“While the lock screen was restarting, the call dialer could not get the lock screen state and assumed the device was unlocked, and so allowed non-emergency numbers to be dialed,” the advisory reads.
iOS 7.0.2 includes a patch that avoids the NULL dereference, therefore thwarting the bug.
Apple credits Karam Daoud of PART – Marketing & Business Development, Andrew Chung, and Mariusz Rysz for finding and reporting the flaw.
A second security hole, this time affecting “iPhone 4 and later, iPod touch (5th generation) and later, iPad 2 and later,” would allow a person to see recently used apps, and see, edit, and share photos.
This flaw also requires physical access to the device for it to be exploited, but Apple considered it serious nonetheless.
The company explains that “The list of apps you opened could be accessed during some transitions while the device was locked, and the Camera app could be opened while the device was locked.”
iOS 7.0.2 fixes this issue as well, and Apple credits a person identified as “videosdebarraquito” for its discovery.
As highlighted by the company in a separate Support document, iOS 7.0.2 also reintroduces a Greek keyboard option for passcode entry.