An iOS 9 Source Code Leaked To Raise Concerns For iPhone Security? But Apple Says Don't Worry About It

According to  MacRumors , sources code for a core component of the iOS 9 recently leaked on GitHub, raising concerns that some hackers and ...

According to MacRumors, sources code for a core component of the iOS 9 recently leaked on GitHub, raising concerns that some hackers and security researchers could dig into the code to find iOS vulnerabilities. However, Apple just issued a statement says that it won't hacked. 

The code is for the iBoot, is the part of iOS which ensures a trusted boot of the operating system, and it was initially shared online several months ago on Reddit, but it resurfaced yesterday on GitHub. The iBoot code is from a version of iOS 9, though some of the code from the version likely still exists in iOS 11, Apple said that it has built in many layers of hardware and software protections so I wouldn't worry about it.

"Old source code from three years ago appears to have been leaked, but by design the security of our products doesn't depend on the secrecy of our source code. There are many layers of hardware and software protections built into our products, and we always encourage customers to update to the newest software releases to benefit from the latest protections."

As stated in the statement, Apple always recommends you to updating the latest version of iOS to ensure current security fixes are in place. Based on data from Apple's App Store support page for developers, iOS 11 is installed on 65 percent of idevices, while iOS 10 is installed on 28 percent of devices, and earlier versions of iOS, such as iOS 9, are installed on just seven percent of devices.

Anyway, the shared iBoot code wasn't able to be compiled, but there's enough data that make easier to locate vulnerabilities and create new jailbreaks. For hackers, it may too late, since Apple this morning had sent a DMCA takedown notice to GitHub this morning, successfully getting the code removed from the site.

The Cupertino headquartered company also did a lot of work on its security research, so average users should not need to be concerned about the leak. For instance, the Secure Enclave, that helps maintain privacy and security on iPhones and iPads, and doesn't rely upon source code secrecy alone as a way to keep its users safe.

Image Credit ExtremeTech And WinX DVD