WhatsApp Fixes Flaw That Could Have Led to Exposure of User Data

WhatsApp has patched a vulnerability that might enable an attacker to learn delicate data from the app’s reminiscence, together with non-public messages utilizing a specifically crafted picture. The vulnerability was reported to WhatsApp by cybersecurity agency Verify Level Analysis, and it existed inside the picture filter perform of WhatsApp for Android and WhatsApp Enterprise for Android that permits customers so as to add filters to their pictures. The Fb-owned firm mounted the safety difficulty after it was reported by Verify Level researchers and claimed that there was no proof that the vulnerability was ever abused.

Referred to as “Out-Of-Bounds read-write vulnerability”, the difficulty was disclosed to WhatsApp by Check Point Research on November 10, 2020. WhatsApp took a while in fixing the bug and issued a patch in February. It was offered to finish customers by means of the model 2.21.1.13 of each WhatsApp for Android and WhatsApp Business for Android apps.

Researchers at Verify Level Analysis had been capable of uncover the vulnerability that’s technically a reminiscence corruption difficulty whereas trying on the means WhatsApp processes and sends pictures on its platform. Throughout the analysis, it was discovered that the picture filter perform of the messaging app crashes when it was used with some specially-designed GIF information. That introduced the researchers to the purpose from the place they had been capable of spot the loophole.

In response to Verify Level Analysis, the vulnerability might be triggered after a person opens an attachment containing a maliciously crafted picture file, tries to use a filter, after which sends the picture with the filter utilized again to the attacker. The researchers, thus, famous that hackers would have required “complicated steps and intensive person interplay” to take advantage of the difficulty.

Nonetheless, if it might be efficiently exploited, the vulnerability is claimed to permit hackers to learn delicate data from WhatsApp reminiscence that embody non-public messages and beforehand shared pictures and movies.

“As soon as we found the safety vulnerability, we shortly reported our findings to WhatsApp, who was cooperative and collaborative in issuing a repair. The results of our collective efforts is a safer WhatsApp for customers worldwide,” mentioned Oded Vanunu, Head of Merchandise Vulnerabilities Analysis at Verify Level, in a ready assertion.

WhatsApp has listed the small print of the vulnerability on its safety advisories web site as CVE-2020-1910. The platform added two new checks on supply and filter pictures to limit reminiscence entry.

“Individuals shouldn’t have any doubt that end-to-end encryption continues to work as supposed and other people’s messages stay protected and safe,” WhatsApp mentioned in its assertion given to Verify Level Analysis. “This report includes a number of steps a person would have wanted to take and now we have no purpose to imagine customers would have been impacted by this bug. That mentioned, even probably the most complicated situations researchers determine may also help improve safety for customers.”

WhatsApp additionally advisable its customers to maintain their apps and working programs updated, obtain updates at any time when they’re obtainable, report suspicious messages, and attain out on to its group in the event that they expertise points utilizing WhatsApp.