Researcher sends malicious app into Apple App Store
Sneaking past Apple's App Store proves successful, but the researcher who discovers the flaw is thrown off the iOS developer programme.
A software hole in Apple's iPhone and iPad devices may permit developers to break through the App Store gates and control the device.
Security researcher Charlie Miller discovered the flaw, allowing developers to bypass the code signing restrictions and secretly install malware onto Apple devices.
"The flaw I found allows apps in the App Store to download new code and run it even if it's not signed or even if it hasn't been checked by Apple," Miller said in his YouTube clip below.
"Until now you could just download everything from the App Store and not worry about it being malicious. Now you have no idea what an app might do," said Miller.
Miller demonstrated the flaw by using a stock price checking application he created, InstaStock, which was approved even though it contained features to download unapproved code.
The app's code could let a hacker download an address book, view pictures, access other data and even make the phone vibrate.
Despite attempting to highlight security flaws in Apple's systems, because he had broken Apple's App Store rules, Miller was thrown off the iOS developer programme.
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
"Apple just kicked me out of the iOS Developer program. That's so rude," Miller tweeted on Monday. "First they give researcher's access to developer programs, (although I paid for mine) then they kick them out for doing research. Me angry."
"Just found out not only am I kicked out, I can't come back for a year. 1 year suspension," Miller tweeted today.
Apple has now removed the app from its App Store.
-
Two Fortinet vulnerabilities are being exploited in the wild – patch nowNews Arctic Wolf and Rapid7 said security teams should act immediately to mitigate the Fortinet vulnerabilities
-
Everything you need to know about Google and Apple’s emergency zero-day patchesNews A serious zero-day bug was spotted in Chrome systems that impacts Apple users too, forcing both companies to issue emergency patches
-
Security experts claim the CVE Program isn’t up to scratch anymore — inaccurate scores and lengthy delays mean the system needs updatedNews CVE data is vital in combating emerging threats, yet inaccurate ratings and lengthy wait times are placing enterprises at risk
-
IBM AIX users urged to patch immediately as researchers sound alarm on critical flawsNews Network administrators should patch the four IBM AIX flaws as soon as possible
-
Critical Dell Storage Manager flaws could let hackers access sensitive data – patch nowNews A trio of flaws in Dell Storage Manager has prompted a customer alert
-
Flaw in Lenovo’s customer service AI chatbot could let hackers run malicious code, breach networksNews Hackers abusing the Lenovo flaw could inject malicious code with just a single prompt
-
Industry welcomes the NCSC’s new Vulnerability Research Initiative – but does it go far enough?News The cybersecurity agency will work with external researchers to uncover potential security holes in hardware and software
-
Hackers are targeting Ivanti VPN users again – here’s what you need to knowNews Ivanti has re-patched a security flaw in its Connect Secure VPN appliances that's been exploited by a China-linked espionage group since at least the middle of March.

