Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL) (NASDAQ:GOOG) has identified a cybersecurity threat affecting older versions of Apple Inc.'s (NASDAQ:AAPL) smartphone operating system iOS, which could have possibly emerged from the U.S. government.

Google Identifies Coruna

In an official research note published by the software giant on Tuesday, the Google Threat Intelligence Group shared that it had identified "Coruna," which is a hacking tool targeting iPhone models running iOS version 13.0 (2019) up to version 17.2.1 (2023).

The group says it first identified the exploit kit in a surveillance vendor's attempt to hack into someone's phone. The group said it observed the same kit used during attacks targeting Ukrainian users conducted by suspected Russian actors, as well as Chinese financially motivated hackers.

GITG said it remained unclear as to how the hackers got hold of the kit, but suggests there exists an "active market for “second hand” zero-day exploits," ...