Apple Quietly Fixed Zero-Day Exploit Used in Paragon Spyware Attack

Apple today quietly updated the list of security fixes that were introduced in iOS 18.3.1, noting a previously undisclosed fix for a zero-day vulnerability affecting the Messages app.

bug security vulnerability issue fix larry
Apple acknowledged the fix after security researchers from The Citizen Lab shared details on the flaw, which had been used to target two European journalists. The Messages vulnerability was exploited with the "Graphite" mercenary spyware created by Paragon. Paragon's spyware has been used in targeted attacks against journalists and human rights activists across multiple platforms.

According to Apple, a maliciously crafted photo or video shared through an iCloud link led to a logic issue that allowed for the infiltration of targeted devices. Apple's release notes say that it "is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals."

Apple confirmed to The Citizen Lab that it fixed the vulnerability back when iOS 18.3.1 was released in February, but it is not clear why Apple did not disclose it before today.

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Top Rated Comments

aloysiusfreeman Avatar
5 days ago at 12:46 pm
Great to see a US-backed company working on surveilling journalists and activists.

Can't wait to see the feds using this on us
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
russell_314 Avatar
5 days ago at 01:22 pm

Great to see a US-backed company working on surveilling journalists and activists.

Can't wait to see the feds using this on us
Nothing new. The US government has been using private companies and NGO’s for years or likely decades to do their dirty work. The US government might not be allowed to censor or spy on citizens, but they can have a private organization do it for them.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
5 days ago at 01:38 pm
It's good to see that Apple addressed this exploit. Unfortunately, the next exploit will probably hit soon if it already hasn't :(.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ThailandToo Avatar
5 days ago at 05:54 pm

Nothing new. The US government has been using private companies and NGO’s for years or likely decades to do their dirty work. The US government might not be allowed to censor or spy on citizens, but they can have a private organization do it for them.
Just like Apple. I am sure Snowden didn’t make everything up. I also believe the Bloomberg report about China installing chips on Apple’s servers was probably legitimate; why would Apple admit to it? Their whole business model is made in China with slave labor. Funny thing is people believe the marketing hype about Apple caring about our privacy - AAPL cares about the illusion of our privacy.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mousse Avatar
4 days ago at 07:12 pm

Much of the above seems like a gross generalization. Who determines a fair and equitable salary for employees? Certainly not MR posters.
Not who, but what. Productivity determines what is fair and equitable.


As you can see, compensation hasn't matched productivity since the 70's.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mousse Avatar
5 days ago at 08:30 pm

Paragon is just making big money by turning a blind eye who it sells its software to, just like it always has.

<snip>

But it should really trigger your ethics, when you see your software used this way. Again and again.
98th Rule of Acquisition: Every man has his price.

In the Twilight Zone episode, Button, Button, a man delivered a box with a button on it to a couple. He told them if they push the button, they will receive $200,000. In exchange, someone they don't know will die.

Morals and ethics means little to most corporate executives. If ethics mattered to them, their employees would be compensated fairly. If they don't care about their employees, do you think some random journalist they might never heard of matters to them?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)