A vulnerability was discovered in iOS 8 that crashes devices in the range of a Wi-Fi access point

Skycure company at an international conference on information security problems, presented information about the vulnerability found in the operating system iOS 8. This vulnerability allows you to run an endless reboot cycle on the device in the coverage area of ​​the Wi-Fi network. Thus, the user is deprived of the opportunity to somehow influence the device: the gadget restarts instantly at startup, preventing it from entering the menu.

A specially configured Wi-Fi access point that sends a special SSL certificate can be dangerous for an iOS device. Reboots stop if you leave the coverage area of ​​the access point. In principle, even these special points will not be able to cause any harm to the device if you do not connect to them. The error does not lead to data loss or leakage and leads only to a temporary and easily eliminated loss of the device's working ability.

The problem was discovered by two Skycure employees. In preparation for the report on network attacks, they bought a new router. After the access point was configured in a certain way, researchers began to note frequent crashing on their iPhone. Subsequently, it turned out that the problem occurs on any iOS device trying to connect to a “special” router.

Vulnerability can become dangerous if “special access points” appear in the buildings of large shopping centers, banks and airport terminals. A preventive way to protect yourself from this threat is to not connect your device to suspicious “free” Wi-Fi networks