Instagram App Bug Could've Given Hackers Remote Access to Your Phone
By MYBRANDBOOK
There is a critical vulnerability in Instagram's Android app that could have allowed remote attackers to take control over a targeted device just by sending victims a specially crafted image, as per Check Point Research. The concern is on , that the flaw not only lets attackers perform actions on behalf of the user within the Instagram app-including spying on victim's private messages and even deleting or posting photos from their accounts-but also execute arbitrary code on the device.
The bug in question lay in Instagram’s open source JPEG image decoder, Mozjpeg. To carry out this remote hack, attackers simply sent Instagram users a JPEG image file. If unsuspecting users downloaded the file and open the Instagram app again, the remote access tool (RAT) malware come into effect, and attackers could remotely escalate their privilege on the compromised device based on all the device permissions that Instagram has on it. For the app to function, Instagram typically takes access for camera, user location, microphone, storage and more, all of which are believed to have been vulnerable to the flaw.
According to Check Point, once an account was compromised, the user’s Instagram app would keep crashing, until the app would be uninstalled with a full data erase, and restored. Giving the critical nature of the flaw, Facebook is said to have urgently issued a flaw for this bug about six months ago. The flaw affected both the Android and iOS apps of Instagram, and was detected when Check Point researchers were exploring potential vulnerabilities in Instagram’s third party project integrations – of which Mozjpeg was one of them.
Flaws such as these are increasingly common, particularly with an increasing frequency of cyber attacks across all services. Recently, in light of increasing vulnerability disclosures, WhatsApp introduced a security disclosures page, where it will lay down key flaws that have been patched by them in the past. Given that Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram work with similar principles, it remains to be seen if Instagram’s hierarchy decides to introduce a similar disclosure page as well.
BREAKING NEWS
TECHNO TRENDS
Legal Battle Over IT Act Intensifies Amid Musk’s India Plans
The outcome of the legal dispute between X Corp and the Indian government c...
Wipro inks 10-year deal with Phoenix Group's ReAssure UK worth
The agreement, executed through Wipro and its 100% subsidiary,...
Centre announces that DPDP Rules nearing Finalisation by April
The government seeks to refine the rules for robust data protection, ensuri...
Home Ministry cracks down on PoS agents in digital arrest scam
Digital arrest scams are a growing cybercrime where victims are coerced or ...
E-Magazine
TECHNOTAINMENT
Hrithik Roshan to endorse RuPay as Brand Ambassador
RuPay is reportedly planning to feature Bollywood superstar Hrithik Rosha
India Today Group launches – AI Pop Stars
Staying true to our industry leadership position in using cutting-edge tech
MOVERS & SHAKERS
TelioLabs ropes in Phaniraj V A as the Group CEO
TelioLabs has announced the onboarding of Phaniraj V A as its new Group CE
Wipro Appoints Amit Kumar as Managing Partner and Global Head
Wipro Limited (NYSE: WIT, BSE: 507685, NSE: WIPRO), a leading technology s
OPEN YOUR EYES
INTERVIEWS
Bolstering its commitment to help build a truly self-reliant B
CP PLUS is dedicated to spreading a sense of security to every corner of In
Delivering Critical Business Communication Solutions to Enterp
Arya Omnitalk and Syntel’s comprehensive suite of solutions and more than
HOT PICK
MSI Announces the availability of RTX 50 series of laptops in
MSI, the innovative computing manufacturer in gaming, creator
Nothing Phone (3a) goes on sale today, starting at Rs 19,999
The phone was launched on March 4, featuring a 50MP main, ultra-wide, and t
MAKE IN INDIA BRANDS
TEJAS NETWORKS INDIA PVT. LTD.
AMARA RAJA POWER SYSTEMS LTD.
SECUREYE SERVICES PVT. LTD.
RELIANCE JIO INFOCOMM LTD.
EMINENT CIO'S OF INDIA
ICONS OF INDIA
ICONS OF INDIA : S KRISHNAN
S Krishnan as the secretary for the electronics and information techno...
Icons Of India : Dr. Sanjay Bahl
Dr. Sanjay Bahl has around four decades of experience in the ICT indus...
Icons Of India : PRATIVA MOHAPATRA
Prativa is a transformational leader with an incredible breadth of exp...
PARTNER SPEAKERS
PSU
STPI - Software Technology Parks of India
STPI promotes and facilitates the growth of the IT and ITES industry i...
EESL - Energy Efficiency Services Limited
EESL is uniquely positioned in India’s energy sector to address ener...
IFFCO - Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative
IFFCO operates as a cooperative society owned and controlled by its fa...
VIDEOS
Top 25 Brands
Global Indian industry
Indian Tech Talent Excelling The Tech World - Shantanu Narayen, CEO- Adobe Systems Incorporated
Shantanu Narayen, CEO of Adobe Systems Incorporated, is renowned for h...
Indian Tech Talent Excelling The Tech World - Lal Karsanbhai, President & CEO, Emerson
Lal Karsanbhai, President and CEO of Emerson, assumed the leadership i...
Indian Tech Talent Excelling The Tech World - NEAL MOHAN, CEO - Youtube
Neal Mohan, the CEO of YouTube, has a bold vision for the platform’s...
ITFORUM 2025
CMO of the Year
WOMEN LEADERSHIP
IMAGE GALLERY
TRENDS IN TECHNOLOGY
MORE VIDEOS
ADVERTISEMENTS
TECHNOLOGY DISRUPTION
UNICORNS REVOLUTIONISING
of images belongs to the respective copyright holders
