Slashdot Mirror
Uber's iOS App Had Secret Permissions That Allowed It to Copy Your Phone Screen, Researchers Say (gizmodo.com)
To improve functionality between Uber's app and the Apple Watch, Apple allowed Uber to use a powerful tool that could record a user's iPhone screen, even if Uber's app was only running in the background, security researchers told news outlet Gizmodo. From a report: After the researchers discovered the tool, Uber said it is no longer in use and will be removed from the app. The screen recording capability comes from what's called an "entitlement" -- a bit of code that app developers can use for anything from setting up push notifications to interacting with Apple systems like iCloud or Apple Pay. This particular entitlement, however, was intended to improve memory management for the Apple Watch. The entitlement isn't common and would require Apple's explicit permission to use, the researchers explained. Will Strafach, a security researcher and CEO of Sudo Security Group, said he couldn't find any other apps with the entitlement live on the App Store. "It looks like no other third-party developer has been able to get Apple to grant them a private sensitive entitlement of this nature," Strafach said. "Considering Uber's past privacy issues I am very curious how they convinced Apple to allow this."
Apple users tolerate anything. Even things that protest/boycott over, they're willing to actually move up their purchase schedule when Apple responds to their demands by asking for more money.
This is a well-trodden path.
Did anyone check the NSA app store?
Sorry, but Uber's business model is pretty much end to end "be colossal assholes, claim regulations don't apply, and keep being assholes".
Sorry, but this isn't a company I would ever trust or do business with.
Claiming you're a magical pony who isn't covered by laws doesn't make it true.
Apple tosses apps out of the app store for many reasons. Over the last 2-3 years, Uber's apps have shown to violate privacy and intentionally deceive regulators on a massive scale. Money aside (I know, that's asking a lot), how does Apple justify allowing them to continue to have an app in their app store?
There goes Apple's reputation for security.
I expect that there was money involved.
Apple cares about security, as long as there is no way to make money out of making you insecure.
The only real remedy for this is if Apple pushed out an IOS update that took away the ability for these hidden privileges to exist, but likely they won't because probably the main other user of them is Apple itself.
The real "Libtards" are the Libertarians!
It's sortof impressive how many times Uber apps have been found to contain questionable abilities that Uber claims they stopped using some time ago.
For the sake of argument, let's assume that they are being truthful when they say these things. My response is: get your engineering house in order.
Leaving dead code in your software is a terrible practice for a number of reasons. Don't wait until someone discover it's there before you remove it. Remove it as soon as you stop using it.
My main reason for using Apple over Android is its strong security and privacy features. This incident has shaken my faith in Apple. Thankfully, I am not a victim as I don't use Uber.
This is just the sort of collusion that I have come to expect from Apple - colluding with the other members of the corporate oligarchy to violate your rights and steal your information.
It's called money, dumbass.
Did no one read the permissions list the app asks for? Its really long... there is no reason for most of it, so why are people now shocked that it was nefarious? It even lists "modify or delete your storage contents" for Jobs sake.
"Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
There's a reason why some of us only use free software on free operating systems, and this kind of abuse is a perfect example of what happens when you trust proprietary software on a closed operating system. If you use a so-called "smart" device, you are a patsy, a mark, a willing victim. Stop hurting yourself.
I'm glad to continue to support taxi drivers.
I call BS on this one.
My screen-sharing provider says they can’t “cast” screens from iOS because Apple won’t provide such APIs. Of screen-sharing apps can’t share screens, how can Uber do it? Also, Uber has no reason whatsoever to request and/or use such a permission.
Have they deleted my screenshots yet?
Who has looked at them in the meantime and harvested them in bulk to stick my personal private information in the Uber database?
Long before now, Uber promising they never kept or processed my screenshots is meaningless crap from a bunch of lying unethical assclowns.
Someone please assure me Lyft aren't nearly as scummy as the cock suckers at Uber.
The more I learn about Uber, the more obvious it becomes that they're a shit-filled cesspool without a shred of ethics or morality.
I was already pretty down on them, but this firmly cements my resolve to never EVER use them and to bad mouth them at every possible opportunity. Shitbags with a logo, that's all they are.
Just cruising through this digital world at 33 1/3 rpm...
Screen recording is fully supported and available to any app. Note however that the system will ask you nicely if you want to allow a particular app to start capturing screen and this prompt can not be suppressed by the app. The user has a checkbox to allow the same app to do it silently in future. I don't know if Apple allows such access without user warning.
By using this technique, the app was able to display a map on the watch screen. This allows you to keep your phone in your pocket when youâ(TM)re out in dark, possibly unfamiliar streets at night. There are security implications of that too.
This is an interesting story and itâ(TM)s plausible that Uber would abuse this privilege if they could get away with that. But, if they couldnâ(TM)t, it may just be a story about how capable iOS and the App Stire review team are.
Apple actually allows developers to lie about what the app has permission to do? You think your personal files and data are safe in your expensive iPhone? Think again.
This is why I don't download apps where an existing web interface that will do the job. I object to using Uber tho, so I don't even know whether you can use the service thru a web app. But so many other companies have perfectly serviceable web sites that you can use instead of an app, why let them even further thru the door and into your phone.