The security vulnerability on the popular short video platform TikTok led to the hacking of numerous celebrity accounts. CyberNews reported that TikTok is currently under a targeted cyber attack, which is aimed at compromising the accounts of well-known figures and major brands. Hackers exploited an undisclosed security flaw to gain control of prominent accounts including those of CNN, Sony, and Paris Hilton, as per a report by Forbes.
The attack was carried out using direct messages containing malicious code, allowing the malware to infect users who simply opened the messages, without any further action required. Although the compromised accounts currently show no suspicious activity, there is a significant risk of spreading malware and false information through these accounts.
TikTok has acknowledged the incident and stated that it is actively implementing measures to mitigate the impact. However, the company has not disclosed the precise number of affected accounts or the exact nature of the security flaw, only mentioning that the number of compromised accounts is ‘very small’. Nevertheless, attacks on accounts with a large number of followers pose a potentially serious risk due to the rapid spread of malware or false information.
This serves as a critical warning for TikTok users, particularly celebrities and major brands. To safeguard their accounts, users should exercise caution when opening messages from unknown sources and ensure that their TikTok app is updated to the latest version.