WhatsApp security flaw could allow hackers to 'put words in your mouth' and compromise your safety, privacy

In what could be alarming news for WhatsApp users, cybersecurity company Checkpoint Software has discovered a severe flaw in Facebook-owned messaging app that could compromise the safety and privacy of billions of WhatsApp users, Bloomberg reports. The flaw identified by researchers could allow hackers to modify some content of your messages - in both public and private conversations on WhatsApp.

Cybersecurity researchers have described three potential loopholes in WhatsApp that could allow hackers to modify Group conversations. Hackers could make use of WhatsApp 'quote' feature to make some cosmetic changes to the identity of a sender. Hackers also discovered another potential flaw that could allow hackers to modify some content of someone else's text reply.

Researchers also highlighted a third flaw that would allow people to send a private message to a group participant disguised as a public message to everyone in the Group. As a result, when the targeted recipient would respond, the message would be visible to all. However, WhatsApp has already fixed this particular flaw on its platform.

WhatsApp did not respond.

Checkpoint said it notified Facebook about these flaws. However, Facebook said only one of the flaws has been addressed.

"...the potential for online scams, rumors and fake news is huge. Threat actors have an additional weapon in their arsenal to leverage the messaging platform for their malicious intentions," Checkpoint said.

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