A powerful software exploit capable of penetrating and stealing information from potentially hundreds of millions of Apple iPhones was planted on dozens of websites in Ukraine in recent weeks, researchers said on Wednesday. The discovery marks the second time this month that researchers have found spyware targeting iPhones and other Apple devices. According to iVerify and Lookout, researchers discovered the malware being delivered to iPhone users running iOS versions 18.4 to 18.6.2 who visited one of dozens of Ukrainian websites. Researchers said they discovered the vulnerabilities because of sloppy security mistakes not common in state-linked iPhone hacking. Researchers found Darksword on the internet servers that suspected Russian operators of Coruna used, researchers with iVerify and Lookout said in findings and interviews ahead of Wednesday’s release.

Source: The Telegraph March 18, 2026 16:53 UTC