GitHub user leaks Apple’s iOS source code

Apple revealed that its source code for iOS mobile operating systems has been leaked by a GitHub user.

The user of the code sharing website posted the boot-up source code called iBoot used on its older iOS 9 operating platform.

Apple asked the user to immediately remove the source code from its site as it tends to keep its iOS source codes from the public.

Secrecy of source code

Despite this, devices may not use the leaked code as, according to Apple, 93% of its users use iOS 10 or newer platforms.

“This document is the property of Apple Inc. It is considered confidential and proprietary,” said the codes statement.

Cyber security expert, Prof Alan Woodward, said to the BBC: “The source code for a company’s operating system is like the crown jewels – it is guarded very well.

“If there’s nothing wrong with the code, it doesn’t matter that it’s out there.

New software releases

“But Apple should be worried because if somebody has got hold of that, what else have they got? Assuming it is genuine, it has come from the inside somewhere.”

Apple wrote in a statement: “Old source code from three years ago appears to have been leaked, but by design, the security of our products doesn’t depend on the secrecy of our source code.

“There are many layers of hardware and software protections built into our products, and we always encourage customers to update to the newest software releases to benefit from the latest protections.”

New site Motherboard reported the leak.

Written by Leah Alger

More
articles