Apple has promised a fix is incoming for a malicious text message issue, which has been causing the iOS and, reportedly, macOS devices to freeze.
As we reported yesterday, the chaiOS bug centres around a link that, when delivered, will stop the affected device in its tracks.
Now Apple has confirmed a software update for the so-called ‘text bomb’ will roll-out next week (via MacRumors).
The company hasn’t confirmed which version number this will be, but the fix will likely be detailed within the release notes.
The specially-engineered link is designed to exploit a relatively new feature within the Messages app; the ability to preview web URLs within the chat.
According to the man who discovered the bug, Abraham Marsi, the link’s metadata features hundreds of thousands of characters, which is causing the Messages app to become unresponsive.
https://twitter.com/cheesecakeufo/status/953401511429726210?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theverge.com%2F2018%2F1%2F18%2F16904774%2Fios-iphone-bug-crash-chaios-link
Masri created a page to test his theory and in the hope of pushing Apple into a fix.
In a tweet he urged people: “Do not use it for bad stuff.”
One of his testers (@aaronp613) confirmed the bug worked, saying: “The device will freeze for a few minutes. Then, most of the time, it resprings.”
Related: Galaxy S9
This isn’t the first time the Messages app has been struck by a damaging bug. Similar problems emerged in 2015 and 2016.
Have you been sent the malicious link? How has it affected your iPhone? Drop us a line @TrustedReviews on Twitter.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
