Software News : Huge iPhone security vulnerability discovered in iOS 6.1 [updated]

Apple’s (AAPL) latest iOS replace is doing little to renew confidence in the company after a series of software snafus together with the premature launch of iOS Maps and issues with iCloud. A number of bugs have been discovered in the new software, including one so severe that Apple was forced to rush out an update for the iPhone 4S in order to fix it. Now, a major security vulnerability has been uncovered that allows the iPhone’s unlock passcode to be bypassed, giving unauthorized users access to the device’s Phone app, contacts, voicemail and photos.

UPDATE: An Apple spokesperson confirmed to AllThingsD that it is aware of the vulnerability and it plans to issue a fix in a future software update, though no timeline for the update was offered.
YouTube user “videosdebarraquito” has posted a video detailing just how easy it is circumvent the iPhone’s unlock screen in iOS 6.1, 6.0.2 and 6.0.1. Unauthorized access to a phone can be gained using a simple process that involves making and canceling an emergency call followed by a series of button presses. A similar bug had existed in an earlier version of iOS a few years ago, but Apple was quick to fix it with a software update.