Apple alerts exploit developer that his iPhone was targeted with gov spyware
a day ago
- #spyware
- #zero-day
- #surveillance
- A developer received a notification from Apple about a targeted mercenary spyware attack on his iPhone.
- The developer, Jay Gibson, previously worked on iOS zero-days at Trenchant, a company that builds surveillance technologies.
- This may be the first documented case of a spyware developer being targeted with spyware.
- Other exploit developers have reportedly received similar notifications from Apple in recent months.
- Gibson suspects the attack is linked to his departure from Trenchant, where he was accused of leaking internal tools.
- Trenchant suspected Gibson of leaking Chrome browser vulnerabilities, though he claims he only worked on iOS exploits.
- Apple's threat notifications indicate evidence of mercenary spyware attacks, typically used by governments.
- Forensic analysis of Gibson's phone found no signs of infection, but deeper investigation was recommended.
- Trenchant's parent company, L3Harris, declined to comment on the story.
- Gibson was suspended and later fired by Trenchant after being accused of double employment, which he denies.