iPhones are Susceptible to Outside Access Even When Off

  • By Steven
  • Published: May 18, 2022
  • Last Updated: May 18, 2022

Attention iPhone users: your phone might be susceptible to hacking attacks even when in the off mode. Powering down the device still allows the NFC, Bluetooth, and UWB to remain functional. The activation of these features, even when the device is off, enables digital miscreants to implement malware.  

Why are iPhones Vulnerable?

The hackers behind the latest strategy for attacking iPhones take advantage of Apple’s standalone features to access the web wirelessly. NFC, short for Near Field Communication, Ultra-wide-band or UWB, and Bluetooth tech, is implemented standalone. As a result, these components are on even when the iPhone is off. Such features allow hackers to access the Secure Element in which information is stored. Hackers can access such sensitive data even when the phone is in the off position.  

Hackers are using the vulnerability in an attempt to transmit malware onto a chip that is executed when the phone is not on or in use. In other words, wireless malware can remain on and active even when the targeted iPhone device is off and has been off for hours. The compromised wireless features allow hackers to obtain sensitive information ranging from banking login details to credit card information and more.


How is the Attack Performed?

The digital attack method would center on loading the malware onto the targeted phone for subsequent execution. The device would have to be off for the malware to be activated. As long as the hackers had remote code execution or access at the system level, they would be able to execute the malware. Even currently known flaws could be exploited for access. If you have not yet upgraded your iphone's digital security protections, now is the time to do so.

Why Does the Flaw Exist?

The underlying cause of the problem is the way the lower power mode of chips used wireless in smartphones is implemented. The chips can run on low power mode or the phone’s power-saving app that helps preserve battery life. The low power mode is activated when the phone is turned off or the operating system shuts off because of a low battery. The low power mode heightens convenience yet also presents new and unique threats.

Low power mode support hinges on the phone’s underlying hardware, meaning it cannot be altered with a system update. The engineers behind the phone shouldn’t have allowed UWB and Bluetooth chips to be connected to the NFC chip’s SE, which exposes sensitive information.  

Is It Possible to Prevent Vulnerability by Changing Software?

The LPM support is within the hardware, so it is impossible to remove it by altering the software. Therefore, wireless chips in today’s iPhones have the potential to remain functional even after the device has shut down.  

If the attacker has remote code execution or access at the system level, possibly through a digital security weakness or flaw, and has the potential to alter the firmware of components related to LPM, ultimately controlling the target phone even when its user powers are in the off position. Though such an attack might not prove profitable when targeting an everyday individual, it can potentially steal valuable information, especially from individuals in positions of power.   

About the Author
IDStrong Logo

Related Articles

Instagram Vulnerability Allowed Hackers Access to Control Your Phone

Security experts Check Point Research discovered a critical vulnerability while examining Instagra ... Read More

Alien Malware Infects More than 226 Mobile Apps and Steals Bank Data

As reported on September 24, 2020, by ZDNet and ThreatPost, a new strain of malware named “A ... Read More

Universal Health Systems Hit by Ransomware Attack

Universal Health Systems (UHS), a Fortune 500 company owning more than 400 hospitals across the co ... Read More

Exchange Server Bug Exposes a Big Risk to Hackers

Months after Microsoft released a patch to fix a serious flaw in MS Exchange Server, more than 61% ... Read More

Clients’ Bank Data Exposed in Blackbaud Ransomware Attack

Blackbaud software was victim to a ransomware attack last May, and new information suggests that c ... Read More

Latest Articles

What You Need to Know about the Episource Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Episource Data Breach

Episource is a California-based healthcare services and technology company that provides risk adjustment and medical coding services to healthcare plans, doctors, and several other types of healthcare organizations.

What you need to know about the Krispy Kreme Data Breach

What you need to know about the Krispy Kreme Data Breach

The popular doughnut and coffeehouse chain Krispy Kreme was established in 1937 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It has grown over the years and currently operates 1,500 shops and 17,900 points of access in 40 nations.

What You Need to Know about the Ocuco Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Ocuco Data Breach

Ocuco is a Dublin-based organization that specializes in optical software solutions. Established in 1993 by Leo Mac Canna, the company initially developed software for independent optometrists.

What You Need to Know about the TxDOT Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the TxDOT Data Breach

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is responsible for designing, planning, operating, building, and maintaining the state's transportation system to deliver a reliable and safe transportation system.

What You Need to Know about the AT&T Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the AT&T Data Breach

AT&T, one of the largest telecommunications providers in the United States and the fourth-largest telecommunications company in the world by revenue, experienced a significant data leak, which became public in June 2025.

What You Need to Know about the Mainstreet Bank Data Breach

What You Need to Know about the Mainstreet Bank Data Breach

MainStreet is a community-oriented bank in Fairfax, Virginia. Established in 2004, it is under the MainStreet Bancshares Incorporated, a small-cap financial holding organization.

Featured Articles

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

How to Buy a House with Bad Credit

Buying your own home is the American Dream, but it might seem out of reach to those with bad credit. However, the good news is, if your credit is less than perfect, you do still have options and in most cases, can still buy a home.

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

How Secure Is Your Password? Tips to Improve Your Password Security

Any good IT article on computers and network security will address the importance of strong, secure passwords. However, the challenge of good passwords is that most people have a hard time remembering them, so they use simple or obvious ones that pose a security risk.

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Top 10 Senior Scams and How to Prevent Them

Senior scams are becoming a major epidemic for two reasons. First, seniors often have a lot of money in the bank from a life of working hard and saving.

Notice

By proceeding with this scan, you agree to let IDStrong run a Free Scan of supplied parameters of your personal information and provide free preliminary findings in compliance with our Terms of Use and Privacy Notice. You consent to us using your provided information to complete the Free Scan and compare it against our records and breach databases or sources to provide your Free preliminary findings report.

Rest assured: IDStrong will not share your information with third parties or store your information beyond what is required to perform your scan and share your results.

Free Identity Threat Scan
Instantly Check if Your Personal Information is Exposed
All fields below are required
Please enter first name
Please enter last name
Please enter a city
Please select a state
Please enter an age
Please enter an email address
Close