Apple’s AirPlay feature has a life-threatening flaw, and cybersecurity professionals are sounding the alarm, claiming that billions of iPhone users might be vulnerable to harmful malware attacks. Cybercriminals can use the bug, so-called “AirBorne,” to attack iPhones and other Apple devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network — without any user action.
Security experts discovered that the exploit leverages the way AirPlay performs device discovery and data transfer on local networks. Once an attacker is present on the same network, they can utilize the AirBorne vulnerability to silently deploy malware, potentially accessing sensitive information or remotely taking control of the device.
Apple has confirmed the vulnerability and is said to be developing a patch, but has not indicated when an official solution will be released. Meanwhile, experts highly recommend that users steer clear of public Wi-Fi networks, turn off AirPlay in unknown locations, and install the latest version of iOS as soon as it is released.
This vulnerability emphasizes the increasing concern regarding zero-click exploits and wireless attacks on commonly used features such as AirDrop and AirPlay. Cybersecurity experts are pushing Apple to beef up security in future iOS updates and appealing to users to remain aware and vigilant when using networked devices.
