On Telegram Web, users have to open the image in a new tab for the attacker to gain entry, though from there onwards it’s just as easy to access as WhatsApp. Once the user clicks to open the image on WhatsApp Web, the malicious file gives the hacker access to your device’s local storage, where your account data is stored. To exploit the flaw, a hacker could simply send a photo to the target victim, containing malicious code. You only have to worry if you’ve been using the desktop platforms for the apps, namely WhatsApp Web and Telegram Web. One thing to note here, is that general WhatsApp and Telegram users are still safe. It’s still not clear how many accounts may have been at risk, though the Check Point report estimates it in the range of“hundreds of millions”. The company said it discovered the vulnerability a week ago on March 7, which it then reported to both WhatsApp and Telegram, waiting for them to finish patching it before releasing the news.
Security research firm Check Point Software Technologies on Wednesday released a report of the flaw that could compromise your account.
The irony? It’s not an oversight that caused the misstep, but instead an attempt at providing maybe too much privacy. A vulnerability in the encryption systems of both WhatsApp and Telegram means hackers can swoop in and seize control of your account.
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