So Much for Hijacking "Every iPhone in the World"

Once again, the iPhone is safe for text messaging. Apple on Friday distributed iPhone OS 3.0.1, a point release to the operating system that addresses a security vulnerability that could have allowed a malicious hacker to seize control of an iPhone with an unusual SMS text message.

The flaw was first demonstrated Thursday. “This is serious. The only thing you can do to prevent it is turn off your phone,” security researcher Charlie Miller said of it earlier this week. “Someone could pretty quickly take over every iPhone in the world with this.”

Well, not anymore, as Apple (AAPL) was quick to note. “This morning, less than 24 hours after a demonstration of this exploit, we’ve issued a free software update that eliminates the vulnerability from the iPhone,” said an Apple spokesperson. “Contrary to what’s been reported, no one has been able to take control of the iPhone to gain access to personal information using this exploit.”