Malicious software can infiltrate a mobile operating system and compromise the security mechanisms designed to verify the legitimacy of applications and services. This subversion potentially allows unauthorized access and control, effectively bypassing established safeguards. For example, a compromised trust store could permit the installation of fake certificates, leading to man-in-the-middle attacks and data interception.
The potential for unauthorized access to sensitive data and system functions underscores the severity of such threats. A compromised system loses its ability to reliably verify the authenticity of software and network connections. Historically, security vulnerabilities in operating systems and pre-installed applications have been exploited to achieve this type of compromise, emphasizing the need for constant vigilance and rigorous security updates.
