Cyber arms dealer exploits new Apple iPhone software vulnerability; affects most versions - researchers

A cyber surveillance company based in Israel has developed a tool than can break into Apple iPhones with a never-before-seen technique for at least six months, internet security watchdog group Citizen Lab said on Monday. However, an Apple spokesperson declined to comment regarding whether the hacking technique came from NSO Group.

A cyber surveillance company based in Israel has developed a tool that can break into Apple iPhones with a never-before-seen technique for at least six months, internet security watchdog group Citizen Lab said on Monday. The discovery is important because of the critical nature of the vulnerability, which affects all versions of Apple's iOS, OSX, and watchOS, except for those updated on Monday.

The vulnerability exploited by the Israeli firm, named NSO Group, defeats security systems designed by Apple in recent years. Apple said it fixed the vulnerability in Monday's software update, confirming Citizen Lab's finding. However, an Apple spokesperson declined to comment regarding whether the hacking technique came from NSO Group.