Quarkslab Claims that Apple Can Read Encrypted iMessages

iMessage Encryption

Security researchers at Quarkslab claims that Apple can read the encrypted messages of its messaging service iMessage. But Apple always claims that iMessage is secure and protected with end to end encryption. Back in June when NSA’s data collection program was leaked, Apple claimed that Apple users should not worry about their privacy because it is impossible for anyone including apple to descramble the messages.

iMessage Encryption

At the Hack in the Box conference in Kuala Lumpur, Researchers showed how an insider can intercept messages if he wants. Researhers were agree that iMessage has end to end encryption but he added that it is controlled by Apple and Apple can change it any time to read messages. Researchers also added that they are not claiming that Apple of any government agency is reading the messages, but there is a possibility.

Cyril Cattiaux, who has developed iOS jailbreak software, works for Quarkslab and was the key people in the research. He said that Apple’s claim about unbreakable encryption of iMessage is a lie.

“yes, there is end-to-end encryption as Apple claims, but the weakness is in the key infrastructure as it is controlled by Apple: they can change a key anytime they want, thus read the content of our iMessages,” Researchers said.

Researchers also showed how a person can perform a MITM to get users’s Apple ID and password if he manages to add a certificate in a device.

One document revealed by Edward Snowden also indicated that Apple became part of PRISM in October 2012.

You can read the full disclosure here on Quarkslab blog.

Download slides of the presentation given at HITBSecConf2013

Meanwhile, Apple’s Spokesperson Trudy Muller slammed the claims. He said that nothing has been done intentionally. iMessage is not designed in the way to allow Apple to read messages.

Share this article
Shareable URL
Prev Post

Lenovo Announced A10 Android Laptop

Next Post

iBall Slide 3G 8072 Tablet is Now Available Online for Rs. 11,999

Leave a Reply
Read next
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get notified of the best deals on our WordPress themes.
0
Share