Newly discovered iPhone security flaw allows access through “Emergency Call” button

Using the “Emergency Call” button, “strangers” can pick up your iPhone and call Abu Dhabi if you leave the room thanks to a newly discovered bug.

The security flaw was first made widely known on the MacRumors forum, and Venture Beat describes how it works:

When your phone is locked with a numeric passcode, simple tap the Emergency Call button, enter any random number, then tap the call button and quickly hit the lock button. The Phone app then pops up, which can let anyone make a call, browse through your contacts, or view your call history.

Access to the phone’s data is relatively limited from that point, but selecting “share contact” can provide access to the phone’s contacts and photo album, and holding down the menu button allows you to play music on the phone. The hole will probably be patched in the near future, but Apple has yet to comment on the possible fix. In the interim, you can avoid falling victim to this exploit by taking your phone everywhere with you, no exceptions, and not falling asleep.