Microsoft confirms Windows Phone SMS bug, working on fix

Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) has confirmed reports that its Windows Phone 7.5 operating system suffers from a security vulnerability that could allow hackers to send a malicious text message capable of rebooting the device and disabling Messaging Hub functionality.

Click here to watch a video about the bug.

WinRumors first reported details of the Windows Phone flaw after a reader identified the problem. The publication tested the attack across a series of Windows Phone devices, determining that in all cases, a malicious SMS will prompt the smartphone to reboot--all subsequent attempts to re-open Messaging Hub proved unsuccessful. WinRumors revealed its findings to Microsoft on Tuesday.

"We are aware of the issue and our engineering teams are examining it now," Windows Phone senior product manager Greg Sullivan writes in a statement given to The Verge. "Once we have more details, we will take appropriate action to help ensure customers are protected."

Windows Phone currently represents 5.6 percent of the U.S. smartphone market according to data published earlier this month by digital research firm comScore. Windows Phone lags far behind Google's (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android at 46.3 percent market share and also trails Apple's (NASDAQ:AAPL) iOS at 28.1 percent and Research In Motion's (NASDAQ:RIMM) BlackBerry at 17.2 percent.

For more:
- read this WinRumors article
- read this Verge article

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