The hack targeted the method in which both Telegram and WhatsApp process images and multimedia files.
If opened, malicious software attached to the file can break into the account.
Once parsed by the WhatsApp client, the code would execute the malicious HTML in the users internet tool.
Its a big vulnerability in a big service, Vanunu added.
For a full technical explanation of the issues, see Check Pointsblog.
Check Point alerted WhatsApp and Telegram regarding the issue on March 7.
We build WhatsApp to keep people and their information secure, a WhatsApp spokeswoman said in a statement.
Facebook owned WhatsApp has more than 1 billion users and is one of the most common messaging services.
source: www.techworm.net
