Someone has publicly leaked an exploit kit that can hack millions of iPhones

Recent developments in cybersecurity have unveiled a disturbing situation for iPhone users. Researchers have identified a hacking campaign utilizing an advanced tool named DarkSword, which has now been leaked online. This new version, uploaded to GitHub, poses a significant risk to users still operating on older versions of Apple's software, potentially impacting hundreds of millions of devices. Experts warn that the leaked DarkSword exploit makes it alarmingly easy for would-be hackers to target iPhones and iPads that have not been updated to the latest iOS 26. Matthias Frielingsdorf, co-founder of the mobile security startup iVerify, expressed his concern, stating, "This is bad. They are way too easy to repurpose. I don’t think that can be contained anymore. We need to expect criminals to start using this." The leaked files, described as straightforward HTML and JavaScript, could be quickly utilized by anyone with a basic understanding of web technologies. Frielingsdorf highlighted that there is no requirement for specific iOS expertise to exploit these vulnerabilities. In fact, the exploits are designed to function immediately upon implementation. A security enthusiast known as matteyeux confirmed the ease of exploiting the leaked DarkSword samples, reporting that he successfully hacked an iPad mini running iOS 18 using the available code. This alarming trend has prompted Apple to acknowledge the exploit and issue an emergency update for devices unable to run the latest versions of iOS. Apple's Sarah O’Rourke emphasized the importance of maintaining updated software for device security, assuring users that those with the latest updates were not at risk. Furthermore, the company’s Lockdown Mode is designed to block such attacks. The leaked DarkSword code contains detailed instructions on how to carry out the exploits, including methods for accessing sensitive information from iOS devices. This includes personal data such as contacts, messages, call history, and even Wi-Fi passwords. Given that about a quarter of all iPhone and iPad users are still on iOS 18 or earlier, the potential for extensive vulnerabilities is significant. This troubling revelation follows closely on the heels of another hacking toolkit, Coruna, discovered just weeks prior, which was originally developed for government use. The implications of these tools highlight the critical need for users to stay vigilant and ensure their devices are running the latest software.