The spyware, developed by Israeli cyber intelligence company, used infected phone calls to take over the functions of operating systemsWhatsApp is encouraging users to update to the latest version of the app after discovering a vulnerability that allowed spyware to be injected into a user’s phone through the app’s phone call function. The spyware was developed by the Israeli cyber intelligence company NSO Group, according to the Financial Times, which first reported the vulnerability. WhatsApp said that the vulnerability was discovered this month, and that the company quickly addressed the problem within its own infrastructure. An update to the app was published Monday, and the company is encouraging users to upgrade out of an abundance of caution. The vulnerability was used in an attempted attack on the phone of a UK-based attorney on 12 May, the FT reported.

Source: The Guardian May 14, 2019 01:30 UTC