A new hacking technique that exploits the Signal System 7 (SS7), a global telecom routing protocol, was discovered and revealed by investigative TV show 60 Minutes. SS7 helps phone carrier around the world to route voice calls and text messages easily.

According to The Daily Mail, the program sent an iPhone to United States Congressman Ted Lieu who happens to be a member of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommitte on Information Technology. The congressman, knowing that the phone will be hacked, agreed with the terms and used the sent iPhone.

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The smartphone was then hacked by analysts from Berlin-based Security Research Labs with surprising results.

Using the congressman's newly generated phone number, the hackers exploited the SS7 flaw and managed to access the iPhone remotely. The hackers were able to access almost every information stored on the phone. They can also listen and record the congressman's phone calls, track his movements, and view all of his contact details.

The SS7 vulnerability was first reported in December 2014.

"It's increasingly clear that SS7, first designed in the 1980's, is riddled with serious vulnerabilities that undermine the privacy of the world's billions of cellular customers,"  The Washington Post reported. 

Tech and security experts claim that the SS7 vulnerability is perhaps the biggest threat to privacy to date and will be detrimental if not fixed immediately.

TagsSS7, Cellular exploit, cellphone hack, Phone number, hackers, signal system 7, signal system 7, SS7 hack, signal system 7 hack