The apparent security
flaw is shown on an iPhone 5 and can be exploited on phones running
Apple's iOS 6.1, the most recent version of its mobile operating system,
and some earlier versions.
The technique was posted
by a Spanish-speaking user with the account name "videosdebarraquito,"
who has posted other videos that show what appear to be ways to tweak
settings on the iPhone. CNN is not linking to the video, which was
published January 31 but recently discovered by tech bloggers.
It involves using another
phone placed nearby to make a call to the phone, canceling it, then
answering with the targeted phone and fiddling with the power button.
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According to the user who
posted the video, it can't be used to access other parts of the phone.
And he urged anyone who used it to play nice.
Use the bypass "to joke
with your friends. To do a magic show. To win a harmless bet among
friends in a PUB. Perhaps, to retrieve a phone number in case you don't
remember the password, or just to be warned that exists," the user
wrote.
"Use it as you want, at your own risk, but... please... use responsibly, do not use this trick to do evil !!!"
The company said Thursday that it's at work on the problem.
"Apple takes user
security very seriously," said spokeswoman Trudy Muller. "We are aware
of this issue, and will deliver a fix in a future software update."
The folks at tech blog The Verge
tried out the technique, and said they were also able to access photos
on the phone by attempting to add a photo to a contact. They were able
to access an iPhone 5 that was running iOS 6.1 in the UK, they said.
Similar bugs have been
pointed out in previous versions of Apple's mobile operating system.
Usually, the company issues a quick update to fix the problem.
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