Whatsapp Users Alert: Govt cautions against hackers, issues warning of multiple vulnerabilities

WhatsApp Users Alert: The government has issued an advisory and cautioned against the hackers on popular Instant messaging and calling app, Whatsapp. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN), a nodal agency under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has warned of multiple vulnerabilities which could be exploited by a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system. 

According to the advisory issued on September 27, the vulnerability exists in WhatsApp due to integer overflow. “A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to execute remote code in an established video call.” 

"A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending a specially-crafted video file," the advisory said. It further noted "successful exploitation of this vulnerability could allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the targeted system."

How to protect from such an attack?

The notification advised all users to simply update the app to evade the multiple vulnerabilities. 

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This comes at a time when its parent firm Meta has started testing group video calls for up to 32 people. Users will be able to create a call link from the call section and share it with their family and friends. WhatsApp users will need the latest version of the app to use Call Links and the rollout begins this week.

India is the biggest market for WhatsApp with 487.5 million users as of June 2022, according to a PTI report. The new feature is expected to increase the competition among the video calling and conferencing apps. 

Also Read | How to know if your WhatsApp messages are being secretly read by others?