• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
TechBest Companies

WikiLeaks Says CIA Targeted iPhone Supply Chain Since 2008

By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Down Arrow Button Icon
March 23, 2017, 1:24 PM ET

The controversial WikiLeaks has released new documents on several CIA projects aimed at infiltrating iPhones and Macs.

The release, called Vault 7 “Dark Matter,” describes a handful of programs that the CIA has apparently used for nearly a decade—in some cases to surreptitiously monitor Apple device owners.

One of those programs is called NightSkies 1.2, a “beacon/loader/implant tool” that the CIA has been using since 2008, according to WikiLeaks. The tool is physically installed by a CIA operative on “factory fresh iPhones,” or handsets that users haven’t yet interacted with, apparently allowing the CIA to spy on the device owner. WikiLeaks believes it’s possible the CIA has redirected iPhone shipments to install the tool.

“While CIA assets are sometimes used to physically infect systems in the custody of a target it is likely that many CIA physical access attacks have infected the targeted organization’s supply chain including by interdicting mail orders and other shipments (opening, infecting, and resending) leaving the United States or otherwise,” the organization said.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter

Dark Matter comes just a couple of weeks after the anti-secrecy organization released a trove of documents describing how the CIA over the last several years has targeted electronics made by a slew of prominent tech companies to further its espionage efforts. Apple was among the companies cited in the initial dump, believed to be the biggest in the CIA’s history.

The more than 8,700 leaked documents included mention of how the CIA is able to use bugs in Apple’s mobile operating system iOS to target unsuspecting iPhone owners. Apple (AAPL) responded by saying than nearly 80% of the flaws addressed in the leaks have already been fixed with security patches and added that it “will continue work to rapidly address any identified vulnerabilities.” Google (GOOGL) echoed that sentiment after the WikiLeaks data revealed Android-based smartphones were also open to hacking.

The “Dark Matter” release expands upon that initial leak. Aside from NightSkies, WikiLeaks describes a project called “Sonic Screwdriver,” which, according to CIA documentation, can allow spies to remotely hack a Mac computer from a USB accessory plugged into the machine. Other tools, including one that lives inside the computer’s software that allows the exploit to function, were also documented in the leak.

The documents, including manuals and other information WikiLeaks obtained on the exploits, are now available on its website. In a livestreaming press conference on Periscope on Thursday, WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange said the Dark Matter release is “a small example” of similar material his organization plans to release in the coming days and weeks.

Neither Apple nor the CIA immediately responded to a Fortune request for comment.

About the Author
By Don Reisinger
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Tech

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map

Latest in Tech

corner office
Future of WorkJobs
AI layoffs are looking more and more like corporate fiction that’s masking a darker reality, Oxford Economics suggests
By Nick LichtenbergJanuary 7, 2026
14 hours ago
Larry Page looks up and to the right.
InvestingBillionaires
Jensen Huang might be fine with a billionaires tax, but Google cofounder Larry Page is already dumping California
By Sasha RogelbergJanuary 7, 2026
16 hours ago
Photo of Sam Altman
AIHealth
OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health in a push to become a hub for personal health data
By Sharon GoldmanJanuary 7, 2026
16 hours ago
Future of WorkTech
The typical American plan to study for 22 years and work for 40 ‘is broken,’ VC CEO says. Thanks to AI, employees can’t coast after graduation anymore
By Marco Quiroz-GutierrezJanuary 7, 2026
16 hours ago
Woman interviews with hiring manager.
Future of WorkJobs
‘It feels challenging to break through’: Most recruiters say they can’t find talent while 80% of job seekers feel unprepared to find a job
By Jacqueline MunisJanuary 7, 2026
18 hours ago
NewslettersCIO Intelligence
Nestlé’s CIO says the value of the food giant’s AI investments goes well beyond efficiency
By John KellJanuary 7, 2026
18 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Law
Amazon is cutting checks to millions of customers as part of a $2.5 billion FTC settlement. Here's who qualifies and how to get paid
By Sydney LakeJanuary 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
Mark Cuban on the $38 trillion national debt and the absurdity of U.S. healthcare: we wouldn't pay for potato chips like this
By Nick LichtenbergJanuary 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Future of Work
'Employers are increasingly turning to degree and GPA' in hiring: Recruiters retreat from ‘talent is everywhere,’ double down on top colleges
By Jake AngeloJanuary 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Janet Yellen warns the $38 trillion national debt is testing a red line economists have feared for decades
By Eva RoytburgJanuary 5, 2026
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, January 6, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJanuary 6, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
MacKenzie Scott sends millions to nonprofit that supports anti-Israel and pro-Muslim groups, two of which are facing federal probes
By Sydney LakeJanuary 6, 2026
2 days ago

© 2025 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.