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iOS 7 Lock screen/Control Center bug leaves potential access to user photos

Update: Apple confirmed in a statement to AllThingsD that it is working on a fix for a future software update:

“Apple takes user security very seriously,” Apple spokeswoman Trudy Muller told AllThingsD. “We are aware of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update.”

Forbes publicizes a bug in the iOS 7 Lock screen and Control Center implementation that could allow a person to bypass the device’s passcode and access the photo library. This bug is more of a potential security issue as it requires users to both be running their camera app (so it shows up in multitasking) and have Control Center activated for the Lock screen. Here are the steps (which we have independently re-produced):

1) Swipe up from the bottom of the Lock screen to open Control Center

2) Launch the Clock app

3) Open the Alarm Clock section of the Clock app

4) Hold down the power button

5) Quickly tap Cancel the immediately double-click the Home button

6) Hold down for a bit longer on the second click

With access to the photos, users could also share the images to social networks and via email (which could be worrisome). Of course, disabling Control Center access from the Lock screen will completely rid you of this potential security breach, but, either way, Apple will likely get a fix out in the coming weeks.

MacMagazine highlights a second potential bug, allowing users to call any number via the Emergency Call function on the Lock screen. A video of that bug (via Forbes) below:

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Comments

  1. Ely Mantz (@ElyMantz) - 11 years ago

    who sits around and tries all this crap until something works? i think they need to introduce a little more vagina into their lives.

    • rsbell - 11 years ago

      Ha!

      My thoughts exactly.

    • Billy Graham - 11 years ago

      vagina is way too easy to breach… I’m sure an imbecile with brains full of vagina like yours won’t be able to comprehend some tech.

      • 311sie - 11 years ago

        Ah, a ladies man. Care for some Courvoisier?

      • exm144 - 11 years ago

        relax there friend. I comprehend tech just fine. the comment was a little thing called a joke. if you don’t like it, just keep moving along. no need to turn into a wacko.

    • Hackers, thats the way they work

    • Mia - 10 years ago

      Or a walk in the woods <D

  2. MaRico NoHands Spikes - 11 years ago

    My girlfriend not that smart to figure this out, even while watching this

  3. This bug only works on iPhone 5.

  4. Bryan Buitron - 11 years ago

    I tried this, and while I was able to open up multitasking (running iOS GM on iPhone 5) I wasn’t able to open any of the other apps I had running at the time. Don’t know if it’s just a fluke for mine, but it’s not working on mine. Interesting bug, though.