JAKARTA Meta revealed a zero-click spyware attack via WhatsApp targeting 90 journalists and members of civil society. This attack was successfully detected by the parent company WhatsApp.
The zero-click attack is very dangerous because it does not require any action from the victim. Just receive a message containing malware, their device can be compromised immediately.
According to The Guardian's report, the attack used the Graphite spyware made by Paragon Solutions, an Israeli technology company that rivals Pegasus from the NSO Group.
Meta states that 90 WhatsApp users have been targeted and most likely their devices have been hacked. The victims have been warned of this security breach.
Like Pegasus, Paragon spyware is also used by various governments around the world. However, Meta admits that it does not know who the perpetrators of this attack are.
Meta not only warns affected users, but is also researching the possibility of taking legal action against Paragon Solutions.
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"WhatsApp has disrupted the Paragon spyware campaign targeting a number of users, including journalists and members of civil society. We have contacted those we believe were affected. This is the latest example of why spyware companies should be responsible for their unlawful actions. WhatsApp will continue to protect the privacy of user communications," said a Meta spokesperson.
Paragon Solutions itself declined to comment on these allegations.
According to WhatsApp, this attack allegedly spread through malicious PDF files sent to users that have been added to WhatsApp groups.
Citizen Lab, a cybersecurity research institute from the University of Toronto, helped WhatsApp in uncovering this attack method. They plan to publish a detailed report on the case in the near future.
Further developments regarding this investigation are still being awaited, while WhatsApp continues to strive to improve its security system so that similar attacks do not recur.
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