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3 months ago, I discovered a unique 0-click deanonymization attack that allows an attacker to grab the location of any target within a 250 mile radius. With a vulnerable app installed on a target's phone (or as a background application on their laptop), an attacker can send a malicious payload and deanonymize you within seconds--and you wouldn't even know.

I'm publishing this writeup and research as a warning, especially for journalists, activists, and hackers, about this type of undetectable attack. Hundreds of applications are vulnerable, including some of the most popular apps in the world: Signal, Discord, Twitter/X, and others. Here's how it works:

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[-] dotdi@lemmy.world 21 points 4 days ago

The actual story here is that this was done and written up by a 15-year old high school student. As such, I have to say: bravo, well done!

The claim to „deanonimization“ is stretching it quite far. At best, you could prove a known person (which you know how to contact) was indeed physically in a certain location. This can be useful, but it’s hardly deanon in the traditional sense.

[-] CameronDev@programming.dev 7 points 4 days ago

Doesn't even guarantee physical location, only the location of their VPN endpoint.

[-] dotdi@lemmy.world -1 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Many VPN providers actually leak DNS, so it might be quite practical even when VPN is on.

[-] CameronDev@programming.dev 1 points 3 days ago

Do any of the good VPN providers leak DNS? Most VPNs claim to allow evading geolocation, if they leaked DNS that wouldnt be true?

[-] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 0 points 3 days ago

Mullvad takes DNS seriously

[-] sun_is_ra@sh.itjust.works 1 points 4 days ago

it may not be a big deal for an average person but for a journalist or a political figure, it can cause big problems

[-] CameronDev@programming.dev 2 points 3 days ago

A journalist or political figure can install a $5 VPN.

And even in their own example attack against the Discord CTO, their location got them down to 90% of the US. I could have guessed that without the attack.

[-] Onomatopoeia@lemmy.cafe 0 points 4 days ago

If you can install another app on their phone already, then this really doesn't matter.

this post was submitted on 26 Jan 2025
14 points (73.3% liked)

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