Here's what Apple had to say about those WikiLeaks files on hacked Macs and iPhones

Apple has responded to the latest crop of WikiLeaks documents.
 By 
Karissa Bell
 on 
Here's what Apple had to say about those WikiLeaks files on hacked Macs and iPhones
Apple has responded to the latest WikiLeaks dump. Credit: BRUNA/EPA/REX/Shutterstock

Apple has responded to the latest crop of WikiLeaks documents that allege the CIA had a number of projects meant to compromise Apple products.

"Based on our initial analysis, the alleged iPhone vulnerability affected iPhone 3G only and was fixed in 2009 when iPhone 3GS was released. Additionally, our preliminary assessment shows the alleged Mac vulnerabilities were previously fixed in all Macs launched after 2013," Apple said Thursday in a statement provided to Mashable.

The statement refers to two exploits described in separate WikiLeaks documents released earlier in the day.

One detailed a project called "NightSkies," which allegedly enabled CIA operatives to install malicious software on a "factory fresh" iPhone. That software could then be used to remotely download everything from call logs and contacts lists to SMS records and browser data. That "alleged vulnerability" was "fixed in 2009 when the iPhone 3GS was released," according to Apple.

A separate document described a project called "Sonic Screwdriver," that involved using a modified ethernet adapter to implant malicious code into MacBooks. That exploit was "previously fixed in all Macs launched after 2013."

Additionally, Apple says it has "not negotiated with Wikileaks for any information," an apparent reference to earlier reports the organization had given tech companies a list of demands in exchange for details on the CIA's hacking techniques. "Thus far, we have not received any information from them that isn’t in the public domain."

Here's the full statement:

We have preliminarily assessed the Wikileaks disclosures from this morning. Based on our initial analysis, the alleged iPhone vulnerability affected iPhone 3G only and was fixed in 2009 when iPhone 3GS was released. Additionally, our preliminary assessment shows the alleged Mac vulnerabilities were previously fixed in all Macs launched after 2013.

We have not negotiated with Wikileaks for any information. We have given them instructions to submit any information they wish through our normal process under our standard terms. Thus far, we have not received any information from them that isn’t in the public domain. We are tireless defenders of our users' security and privacy, but we do not condone theft or coordinate with those that threaten to harm our users.

Topics Apple

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Karissa Bell

Karissa was Mashable's Senior Tech Reporter, and is based in San Francisco. She covers social media platforms, Silicon Valley, and the many ways technology is changing our lives. Her work has also appeared in Wired, Macworld, Popular Mechanics, and The Wirecutter. In her free time, she enjoys snowboarding and watching too many cat videos on Instagram. Follow her on Twitter @karissabe.

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