A recently surfaced hacking tool known as DarkSword poses a significant risk to millions of iPhones and iPads. This version, which has been uploaded to GitHub, can be leveraged by individuals to exploit devices that are still operating on older versions of iOS. Devices that have not been updated to the latest iOS 26 are particularly susceptible to these exploits. Cybersecurity experts are cautioning that this situation could affect hundreds of millions of devices.

Expert Concerns Over Exploitability

Matthias Frielingsdorf, co-founder of mobile security firm iVerify, expressed grave concerns about the situation, indicating that the tool’s design makes it alarmingly easy to repurpose for malicious uses. “This is bad. They are way too easy to repurpose,” Frielingsdorf stated, emphasizing the need for vigilance as the tool is likely to be increasingly employed by criminals. He explained that the leaked files are primarily constructed from simple HTML and JavaScript, underscoring that no specialized knowledge of iOS is needed to utilize the exploits effectively.

Demonstration of Vulnerability

A cybersecurity enthusiast known as Matteyeux showcased the tool’s capabilities on X by successfully exploiting an iPad mini running iOS 18, an outdated version of Apple’s operating system. After installation, the spyware is capable of harvesting sensitive data such as contacts, messages, call histories, and Wi-Fi passwords, transmitting this information to servers controlled by malicious actors.

Apple’s Response to the Security Threat

In response to these vulnerabilities, Apple has acknowledged the issue and is actively urging users to update their devices. “Keeping your software up to date is the single most important thing you can do to maintain the security of your Apple products,” said Apple spokesperson Sarah O’Rourke. The company released an emergency update on March 11 specifically for devices that cannot support the most recent iOS versions. Apple also highlighted that using Lockdown Mode could help thwart these particular attacks.

Significant Number of Devices at Risk

The scale of the potential threat is substantial, as Apple’s official support website reveals that approximately 25% of all iPhones and iPads are still utilizing iOS 18 or earlier versions. Given that Apple asserts there are over 2.5 billion active devices globally, this data implies that hundreds of millions of these devices could be exposed to the recent vulnerabilities.

Instructions for Users to Mitigate Risks

Apple is advising all iPhone users to check the Settings menu for the new security update that has been released to enhance device safety. Installing this update is crucial to protect devices from such threats, especially for those who are still on outdated iOS versions. For users who regularly update their devices, the associated risk is considerably lower; however, those on older iOS iterations face immediate dangers.

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