iOS 7 lockscreen bug opens up even iPhone 5S users to attack

iOS 7 glitch on the lockscreen
The secret is in the alarm clock app through Control Center

While iOS 7 gave Apple's mobile operating system a new paint job, but it still suffers from an age-old problem: another lockscreen glitch that could give someone unwanted access to your device.

The iOS 7 bug allows a person with physical access to your phone to a limited amount of data, even when the four-digit passcode is enabled.

This only happens when Apple's new Control Center feature is accessible in the locked state, as first reported on by Forbes.

But since Control Center can be launched in this locked state by default, most people will be vulnerable, even iPhone 5S owners with their fancy fingerprint sensor.

How it's done

Testing it out, we found that launching the alarm clock app, holding down the sleep button and then canceling powering down the phone frees an attacker up to multitasking their way into the phone. All they have to do is press the home button twice.

This makes a limited number of apps like Mail, Twitter, Facebook and Flickr are accessible.

iOS 7 lockscreen bug fix

Here's how to fix the issue for now

Temporary fix

While Apple works to fix this iOS 7 glitch, worried users can remedy the Control Center vulnerability by disabling the new feature's use in the lockscreen.

Navigating to the settings menu, selecting Control Center and and turning off "Access to Lock Screen" prevents this new iOS 7 exploit.

TOPICS
Matt Swider
Latest in iPhone
iPhone 16 Pro Desert Titanium in hand
I think the rumored iPhone 17 Pro redesign looks great – but is it Apple enough?
Apple iPhone 16 Review
New iPhone 17 report lends weight to rumors of major display and camera upgrades, and a pricey Apple foldable
Apple iPhone 16 Review
The latest iPhone 18 leak hints at a major chipset upgrade for all four models
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
The home screen on an iPhone 16e smartphone
I think the iPhone 16e is too expensive – and as it turns out, so does nearly everybody else
Apple iPhone 16 on orange background with big savings text overlay
You can get a free iPhone 16 Pro Max without a trade at Verizon right now - with one minor catch
Latest in News
FiiO FX17 IEMs
Our favorite budget audiophile brand unveils wired earbuds with 26(!) drivers, electrostatic units, USB-C ultra-Hi-Res Audio, and a not-so-budget price
Nvidia RTX 5080 against a yellow TechRadar background
RTX 5080 24GB version teased by MSI - is it time to admit that 16GB isn't enough for 4K?
girl using laptop hoping for good luck with her fingers crossed
Windows 11 24H2 seems to be a massive fail – so Microsoft apparently working on 25H2 fills me with hope... and fear
Code Skull
Interpol operation arrests 300 suspects linked to African cybercrime rings
ChatGPT Advanced Voice mode on a smartphone.
Talking to ChatGPT just got better, and you don’t need to pay to access the new functionality
Insecure network with several red platforms connected through glowing data lines and a black hat hacker symbol
Multiple H3C Magic routers hit by critical severity remote command injection, with no fix in sight