Apple iOS Has Major Security Hole Warns German IT Agency, Avoid PDFs

A new claim about Apple's iOS security makes the previous location data tracking controversy look like child's play. Germany's national IT security is claiming serious security issues with the iOS platform that could allow malicious programs to gain control of almost all the data on your phone and even listen in on phone conversations.

The agency says that hackers can use infected PDF files to get to your data. Simply clicking on an infected PDF file is sufficient to infect your mobile device while the same can happen when opening a website that carries an infected PDF file. This vulnerability can allow the intruder to access your emails, photos, text messages, and passwords.

The security hole is said to affect all iOS 4.3.3 devices including the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2, and the iPod touch. The agency cannot confirm at this point that other versions of iOS are not susceptible. Apple Germany spokesman Georg Albrecht acknowledged that he was aware of the warning but that Apple cannot comment yet.

There have been no reports yet of attacks using this method, but the agency believes that hackers will soon exploit this weakness. The agency urges users to avoid opening PDF files of unknown origin as well as PDFs on websites. A similar security hole was reported last year but Apple soon addressed the issue with an update.

[via AP]