Researcher sends malicious app into Apple App Store

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A software hole in Apple's iPhone and iPad devices may permit developers to break through the App Store gates and control the device.

Security researcher Charlie Miller discovered the flaw, allowing developers to bypass the code signing restrictions and secretly install malware onto Apple devices.

"The flaw I found allows apps in the App Store to download new code and run it even if it's not signed or even if it hasn't been checked by Apple," Miller said in his YouTube clip below.

"Until now you could just download everything from the App Store and not worry about it being malicious. Now you have no idea what an app might do," said Miller.

Miller demonstrated the flaw by using a stock price checking application he created, InstaStock, which was approved even though it contained features to download unapproved code.

The app's code could let a hacker download an address book, view pictures, access other data and even make the phone vibrate.

Despite attempting to highlight security flaws in Apple's systems, because he had broken Apple's App Store rules, Miller was thrown off the iOS developer programme.

"Apple just kicked me out of the iOS Developer program. That's so rude," Miller tweeted on Monday. "First they give researcher's access to developer programs, (although I paid for mine) then they kick them out… for doing research. Me angry."

"Just found out not only am I kicked out, I can't come back for a year. 1 year suspension," Miller tweeted today.

Apple has now removed the app from its App Store.

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