WhatsApp has discovered a vulnerability that allowed spyware into a user’s phone through the app’s phone call function. Photograph: Chesnot/Getty Images

Update your WhatsApp app to save yourself

WhatsApp discovered spyware vulnerability that allowed spyware to enter the user’s phone through the app’s phone call function. After discovering such an inconvenience, WhatsApp is encouraging its 1.5 billion users to update the app to the latest version.

This vulnerability would let attackers transmit malicious code to a target’s device by calling the user. According to the report, the call logs that were often erased. The Financial Times reported that the spyware was developed by the Israeli cyber intelligence company, NSO Group.

An attempted attack on the phone of a UK-based attorney on May 12th, a lawyer who is not identified by name is involved in a lawsuit against the NSO group, the FT reported. WhatsApp said in a statement that the attack has all the hallmarks of a private company that works with governments to deliver spyware that takes over the functions of mobile phone operating systems.

An update to the latest version of WhatsApp was released on Monday. The company quickly take action towards the problem within its own infrastructure. WhatsApp has also urged the US law enforcement to publish a “CVE notice”, it is an advisory made for other cybersecurity experts to alert them to “common vulnerabilities and exposures”

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/may/13/whatsapp-urges-users-to-upgrade-after-discovering-spyware-vulnerability