iPhone Users: Beware of Unfamiliar WiFi Networks…

by

June 28, 2021

iPhone Users: Beware of Unfamiliar WiFi Networks...

There’s a general rule of thumb that says you shouldn’t join a WiFi network you don’t know. A new iPhone issue helps prove the point.

Here’s the skinny: if you join a WiFi network with a name like “%p%s%s%s%s%n” will royally mess up your device’s ability to connect to the internet.

The issue was discovered by a software engineer named Carl Schou. Schou claims to have uncovered the bug by accident, and nothing he did seemed to restore functionality. Thankfully, after a bit of head-scratching, Schou was able to reset his phone’s network settings and regain full functionality. We’ve posted instructions regarding how you too can reset your network functionality, but first, I want to talk a bit about why this could be a major issue going forward for iOS devices.

Why is this happening?

Security researchers who’ve analyzed crash reports associated with the bug believe it’s a parsing issue. If a “%” sign is used in a WiFi network name, iOS can’t interpret it correctly and identifies the “%” as something called a “string-format specifier” when it’s not.

A “string format specifier” is used in C and other C-type languages. They’re typically processed as a variable name or command and not as text.

When asked by Bleeping Computer why Schou formatted his WiFi’s SSID after a format string because it “f***** with poorly developed devices.” It would seem Apple’s iOS and iPhone would fall in that category by Schou’s definition.

Should you be worried?

No, not really. I mean, the opening paragraph of this very article tells you you shouldn’t be joining any WiFi networks you’re not familiar with as there’s a risk you’ll potentially expose sensitive information. It doesn’t look like there’s any way for malicious actors to leverage this new bug to steal PII data.

However, not all cyberthugs are interested in stealing information. Some are only interested in ruining their target’s day. And borking an iPhone’s ability to connection to the internet is a great way of accomplishing that.

How do you fix the problem?

It’s really easy to fix this. All you have to do is the following:

  1. Go to Settings on your iPhone
  2. Select General
  3. Under General look for Reset. It’s towards the bottom of the menu
  4. Once on the Reset screen select the Reset Network Settings option
  5. Confirm you do want to reset your network settings. Your device will start and your problems should be fixed
  6. Don’t join any more unknown WiFi networks

Like our blog? Subscribe using the CTA in the upper right-hand corner of this page. Feel like sharing your thoughts with us? Use the comment section below.

Carl Keyser is the Content Manager at Integris.

Keep reading

What Are Best Practices for Managing IT Projects?

What Are Best Practices for Managing IT Projects?

What Are Best Practices for Managing IT Projects? The Quick Take Managing IT projects effectively is crucial for ensuring success and maximizing ROI. Here are the best practices to follow: Define Clear Objectives and Scope: Set specific, measurable, achievable,...

What Is The Future of Managed IT Services?

What Is The Future of Managed IT Services?

What Is the Future of Managed IT Services? The Quick Take: The future of managed IT services for small and medium-sized businesses is bright, with the market expected to grow from $1.735 trillion to $2.173 trillion by 2028. Key trends driving this growth include:...

The Regulatory Outlook for 2025 and What That Means for Banking IT

The Regulatory Outlook for 2025 and What That Means for Banking IT

With a new administration coming in, 2025 promises to be a year of change. But will it significantly impact banking regulation and your bank’s cybersecurity? No one has a crystal ball, of course, but recent global outlooks for the banking industry seem to point to two...