Is your team’s mobile security airtight? Apple is sounding the alarm on persistent iPhone risks found in older models. Learn more about them here.
The Rise of Mobile Workflows in Modern Businesses
How much do you and your staff rely on mobile technology during daily operations? Whether it’s for accessing documents or collaborating on the go, these devices have become indispensable tools for productivity. Interactions that once required a desktop setup can now become streamlined into the palm of a hand.
While the benefits to efficiency and responsiveness are undeniable, there’s a catch. By relying so heavily on mobile infrastructure, companies are exposing themselves to unique security challenges, especially when those devices lack proper oversight.
What Is usbliter8?
Even products from reputable industry giants aren’t completely immune to design flaws. European cybersecurity firm Paradigm Shift discovered a hardware-level exploit dubbed “usbliter8” that plagues older Apple devices, and it allows attackers to bypass security measures. Since the bug is hard-coded into the physical silicon chip during manufacturing, Apple cannot fix it with a software update.
Fortunately, threat actors need physical access to take advantage of this flaw. Once an attacker plugs the Apple device into their system via USB, they can override its startup security rapidly.
The unpatchable security exploit exists in products with Apple S4, S5, A12, and A13 chips. If your business utilizes any of the following, they are permanently vulnerable:
- iPhone 11 series
- iPhone XR, XS, and XS Max
- iPhone SE (2nd generation)
- iPad (8th and 9th generation)
- iPad Mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation).
- 11-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd generation)
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (3rd and 4th generation)
- Apple Watch (1st generation SE)
- Apple Watch Series 4 and 5
Addressing iPhone Security Vulnerabilities
Why wait for persistent iPhone risks to put your data at risk? Consider the following proactive steps.
Audit Your Hardware
Identify any employees using affected devices and assess the sensitivity of their roles. C-level executives, system administrators, or people with access to sensitive corporate networks may have to upgrade their devices immediately.
As a temporary measure, consider restricting the use of these older models when handling highly sensitive corporate data.
Enforce Strict Device Custody
Since it’s not possible for malicious actors to exploit usbliter8 remotely, you should treat physical access to corporate-owned phones as a primary security control.
Educate employees to never leave devices unattended in public, during travel, or in unsecured workspaces. Also think about possible supply chain risks, such as unvetted vendors or repair services.
Implement Zero-Trust Controls
Even when a physical exploit successfully demotes a device’s security mode, it still must bypass software-level encryption. Consider adopting Mobile Device Management (MDM) and Zero-Trust network access policies.
Leverage Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools are a powerful weapon in defending against exploitation attempts. These tools allow businesses to track threats targeting device endpoints by identifying malicious activity patterns, alerting IT teams, and automating mitigation measures.
Minimize Device Compromise Risks
Persistent iPhone risks like usbliter8 aren’t fixable with Apple device security updates. Businesses need to make considerable infrastructure investments or enact sweeping changes to their cybersecurity policies to address these gaps.