Apple scrambles to fix iPhone security flaw

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) is working to remedy a security hole in its iOS mobile operating system that leaves iPhones and iPads vulnerable to cyber attack.

The German Federal Office for Information Security warned Wednesday that the flaw--most vulnerable when consumers are viewing PDF files--gives cyber criminals an opening to infect iOS devices with malicious software granting them administrative rights to the device. From there, attackers can access security passwords, stored text messages and emails, online banking data and related personal information. The agency added that the security flaw is present across multiple iterations of the iOS platform.

"Apple takes security very seriously, we're aware of this reported issue and [are] developing a fix that will be available to customers in an upcoming software update," the company said in a statement. It is unclear when the iOS software patch will available. The German Federal Office for Information Security said it has not yet observed any iOS attacks by cyber assailants.

Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) rival Android mobile operating system has been the target of multiple malware attacks in recent months. In March, Google pulled more than 50 free applications said to contain the DroidDream malware, which seeks to gain root access to the user's device. In May, the company deleted an additional 34 apps containing the so-called "Droid Dream Light," a stripped-down version of the original DroidDream virus. In mid-June, Google also nuked at least 10 different Android Market apps said to include Android spyware dubbed Plankton.

For more:
- read this Wall Street Journal article

Related articles:
Apple's App Store downloads eclipse 15B mark
Apple's iPad now generates 25% of U.S. mobile web traffic
Apple eases App Store in-app subscription rules