A leaked version of DarkSword, a sophisticated iPhone hacking tool, has raised alarms about potential mass iPhone compromises. The leak comes after two similar exploit kits, Coruna and DarkSword, were recently discovered. While some experts say Apple’s defensive features remain elite, others warn that the public accessibility of the DarkSword version could “democratize” iPhone exploits.
Hundreds of millions of iPhones running iOS 18 are vulnerable to DarkSword, which was first discovered in Ukraine. The leak on GitHub has raised concerns about widespread exploitation, with experts warning that people should upgrade their devices ASAP.
Apple has emphasized its security patches and urged users to update their phones, but some experts say the company’s defensive features are not foolproof. The rise of iPhone exploits is driven by their high value as targets, and the growing market for exploits is making it easier for attackers to customize them.
Despite concerns, Apple’s Lockdown Mode and Memory Integrity Enforcement are top-notch defensive measures that have so far kept iPhones safe from spyware. However, experts warn that the cat-and-mouse game between security measures and exploit development will continue.
Source: https://cyberscoop.com/darksword-iphone-spyware-leak-ios-18-exploit-threat