According to a cybersecurity specialist, your phone's weak spot is not Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, but rather something in your drawer.
Mobile phone users are still at risk from cybersecurity threats and hazards. Now that USB-C cables are available, hackers can use them to perform keylogging attacks and steal personal data from devices if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not sufficient.
There are still cybersecurity risks and threats for mobile phone users, despite the widespread belief that there are weak points. USB-C cables, which hackers can use to perform keylogging attacks and steal personal data from devices, are the next big thing if Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are not enough.
Although many people think that Bluetooth or Wi-Fi are the main sources of mobile phone vulnerabilities, USB-C cables have been shown to be a weak point that can jeopardize the security of our data.
Since they became the universal charging standard, these cables have become a commonplace tool. Apple, which had previously opposed giving up its Lightning system, has even been influenced by this development.
But according to a recent report, cables have a flaw that could let hackers access devices. Thomas Roth, a cybersecurity specialist, also found a weakness in the USB-C controller of the iPhone 15.
It seems that cables with concealed antennas or microcontrollers could be used to steal confidential information and introduce malware.
At the Chaos Communication conference in Hamburg, Roth demonstrated how modified USB-C cables could execute malicious code once plugged into a phone.
This means that a hacker could inject malware into a device without the user's knowledge, opening the door to other types of attacks, such as keylogging, a technique hackers use to record keystrokes on a device.
While mobile phones come with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connections, USB-C cables have proven to be a weak point that can compromise our data security.
These cables have become an everyday tool, especially after they became the global charging standard, even influencing Apple, which had previously resisted abandoning its Lightning system.
However, a recent report revealed a vulnerability in cables that could allow hackers to infiltrate devices. Additionally, cybersecurity expert Thomas Roth discovered a vulnerability in the iPhone 15's USB-C controller.
It appears that cables containing hidden microcontrollers or antennas could be used to inject malware and steal sensitive data.
At the Chaos Communication conference in Hamburg, Roth demonstrated how modified USB-C cables could execute malicious code once plugged into a phone.
This means that a hacker could inject malware into a device without the user's knowledge, opening the door to other types of attacks, such as keylogging, a technique hackers use to record keystrokes on a device.
iPhone USB-C is hackable, but users don't need to worry yet
— TechSpot (@TechSpot) January 15, 2025
– Code execution, electromagnetic fault injection, and firmware dumping are possiblehttps://t.co/aJhXFH7aM1 pic.twitter.com/mLzvZBYg9G
This attack could be particularly dangerous because it allows sensitive information such as passwords, banking details, or any other information entered by the user on their phone to be captured. While this threat currently requires advanced technical skills to execute, there are concerns that attackers could execute these attacks with relative ease in the future.
Apple responded to this vulnerability by stating that while the risk is real, the chances of a hacker exploiting this vulnerability on devices like the iPhone 15 are currently slim.
However, the company has implemented some security measures, such as restricting data transfer via USB-C when the device is locked, starting with the iOS 18 update.
However, security experts point out that what appears to be a sophisticated attack today could become a more accessible threat in the future, as the tools needed to carry it out become more expensive.
To prevent such attacks, users are advised to use only original or trusted USB-C cables and avoid connecting their devices to unknown or generic USB cables. Additionally, keeping operating systems updated with the latest security patches is essential to protect against any type of security vulnerability.
This discovery highlights the importance of security on mobile devices and demonstrates that while traditional threats like malware via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth remain relevant, USB-C cables could become the next target for hackers.