TikTok has fixed a vulnerability that led to a rare type of cyber attack this week. The vulnerability involved hackers sending a private message to users that was laced with malware. As soon as the infected message was opened, hackers were able to instantly take over those user’s accounts.The hackers reportedly were able to successfully take over CNN’s TikTok account and also made an effort to take over Paris Hilton’s account, amongst others, Axios reports.A TikTok spokesperson told Axios that the company is actively working with the impacted account owners to help restore access to their accounts.The attacks are thought to be zero-click spyware attacks which are commonly used against high-profile government officials as well as journalists and political activists. With those attacks, hackers traditionally want to gain access to a user’s device to obtain text messages, call history, and other content. In the case of the TikTok attacks; however, the goal was to take over the account entirely.
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Currently, only the two accounts have been identified as targets of the attack; however, more could potentially be named. The company has also yet to identify what vulnerability hackers were able to exploit in order to gain access to the accounts.As of now, the hacker has yet to be identified; however, given the nature of the attack, it is not expected to impact average users.
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