Apple issues fix for flaw linked to Pegasus spyware

Apple has released an emergency fix to software flaw targeted by the spyware at the heart of the Pegasus scandal

Apple has released an emergency fix to software flaw targeted by the spyware at the heart of the Pegasus scandal

Apple released a fix Monday for a weakness that can let the spyware at the heart of the Pegasus scandal infect devices without users even clicking on a malicious message or link.

The Pegasus software from Israeli firm NSO Group has been under intense scrutiny since an international media investigation claimed it was used to spy on the phones of human rights activists, journalists and even heads of state.

"We determined that the mercenary spyware company NSO Group used the vulnerability to remotely exploit and infect the latest Apple devices with the Pegasus spyware," Citizen Lab wrote in a post.

Hours after releasing the fix, Apple said it had "rapidly" developed the update following Citizen Lab's discovery of the problem.

NSO did not dispute Pegasus had prompted the urgent software upgrade, and said in a statement that it would "continue to provide intelligence and law enforcement agencies around the world with life saving technologies to fight terror and crime."

Pegasus has evolved to become more effective since it was uncovered by Citizen Lab and cyber security firm Lookout five years ago.

"Many apps will automatically create a preview or cache of links in order to improve the user experience," Schless said.

UN experts recently called for an international moratorium on the sale of surveillance technology until regulations are implemented to protect human rights following an Israeli spyware scandal.

Pegasus can switch on a phone's camera or microphone and harvest its data.

The statement was signed by three special rapporteurs on rights and a working group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other businesses.

NSO insists its software is intended for use only in fighting terrorism and other crimes, and says it exports to 45 countries.

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