Smashing Security podcast #490: How Jared Kushner’s iPhone was allegedly hacked twice
According to a new book excerpt published in Vanity Fair, Russian military intelligence allegedly hacked Jared Kushner's iPhone twice, with Dutch intelligence later accessing the device as well.
The allegations come from Matthew Cole's new book 'Princes and Thieves,' as excerpted in Vanity Fair. The report claims that Russian military intelligence (GRU) successfully hacked the iPhone of Jared Kushner, who served as a senior advisor to his father-in-law, former President Donald Trump, during his first term in the White House.
What makes the story particularly noteworthy is the additional claim that Dutch intelligence discovered this hack and subsequently gained access to Kushner's phone themselves. According to the report, the Netherlands Military Intelligence Service learned in late 2017 that a GRU-affiliated hacker was traveling to the UK on a spying mission.
Journalist's Checkered History
Cole has a mixed record in cybersecurity reporting. He previously worked for The Intercept on the Reality Winner case, where the publication made a critical error by revealing they had obtained a printed copy of an NSA document. This mistake inadvertently helped identify Winner as the leaker, who later faced legal consequences.
This isn't his specialist beat. He has worked in the past for The Intercept, which has covered obviously some cybersecurity-related stuff in the past and some hacking stuff in the past. With mixed success.
Digital Exposure Risks
The podcast also highlighted broader concerns about digital exposure for high-profile individuals. A segment sponsored by 360 Privacy demonstrated how quickly personal information can be gathered online and pieced together to create a detailed profile, potentially putting executives and officials at risk.
The company specializes in reducing digital exposure by identifying and removing personal information from data brokers, social media, and public records, while continuously monitoring for new exposures.
Security Implications
The alleged hacking of Kushner's iPhone underscores persistent vulnerabilities in smartphone security, even for individuals with access to sensitive information. The report suggests that sophisticated state-sponsored actors may have capabilities to compromise devices thought to be secure.
The claims remain unverified, as they come from an excerpt of a book yet to be fully scrutinized. If true, the incident would represent a significant breach highlighting the challenges of protecting digital communications for high-ranking officials.
Related
