Categories: Tech

This funny bug can disable Wi-Fi on iPhones

<p>
A security researcher has discovered a funny bug that can completely disable your iPhone's ability to connect to Wi-Fi.</p>
<p>
Carl Schou said in a tweet that if an iPhone comes within range of a network named %secretclub%power, the device won't be able to use Wi-Fi or any related features.</p>
<p>
He basically found that certain Wi-Fi networks with the percent symbol (%) in their names can disable Wi-Fi on iPhones and other iOS devices, reports 9to5Mac.</p>
<p>
Once an iPhone or iPad joins the network with the name '%p%s%s%s%s%n', the device fails to connect to Wi-Fi networks or use system networking features like AirDrop.</p>
<p>
The issue persists after rebooting the device.</p>
<p>
The '%' symbol is commonly used in programming languages to format variables into an output string.</p>
<p>
"In C, the �%n' specifier means to save the number of characters written into the format string out to a variable passed to the string format function. The Wi-Fi subsystem probably passes the Wi-Fi network name (SSID) unsanitised to some internal library that is performing string formatting, which in turn causes an arbitrary memory write and buffer overflow," explained the report.</p>
<p>
"This will lead to memory corruption and the iOS watchdog will kill the process, hence effectively disabling Wi-Fi for the user," it added.</p>
<p>
Apple was yet to report if it was working on any fix for the issue.</p>

IANS

Recent Posts

India to build first-ever Polar Research Vessel as GRSE signs MoU with Norway’s Kongsberg

India's Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

4 hours ago

“France is one of India’s best economic partners”: French Minister Saint-Martin on meeting with Piyush Goyal

French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin on Tuesday reaffirmed the "conviction" that France is one…

5 hours ago

“Results and how you act are important,” CDS Gen Anil Chauhan clarifies position on losses during Op Sindoor

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan delivered a special lecture on 'Future Wars…

6 hours ago

Indian companies post satisfactory Q4 results despite global challenges: Bank of Baroda Report

Corporate performance of Indian companies in the fourth quarter of financial year 2025 remained satisfactory…

9 hours ago

China ramps up military pressure on Taiwan with 70 warships, 75 jets in may amid invasion threat

Beijing sent two aircraft carrier strike groups and numerous warships to the waters both north…

10 hours ago

PM Modi speaks to Assam, Sikkim CMs and Manipur Governor over flood situation, assures full support

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Sikkim…

11 hours ago