NSA Warned of Signal App Vulnerabilities Before Houthi Strike Chat

In February, the National Security Agency (NSA) disseminated a bulletin alerting users to potential security flaws within the Signal messaging application. The warning specifically addressed concerns regarding the possibility of Russian-backed cyber actors attempting to compromise encrypted communications taking place on the platform. This alert preceded subsequent reports indicating the use of Signal in communications related to a Houthi strike by approximately one month.

The NSA's bulletin detailed potential methods by which hackers could exploit vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access to Signal conversations. While the bulletin did not explicitly mention any specific threat actors or incidents, it emphasized the importance of users ensuring their Signal applications were up-to-date with the latest security patches and adhering to best practices for secure communication.

Following the reports linking Signal to the Houthi strike, cybersecurity analysts are now investigating whether the vulnerabilities flagged by the NSA played a role in the incident. The investigation aims to determine if the reported Signal activity was directly related to the vulnerabilities outlined in the NSA's warning or if other factors were involved. Signal has not yet issued an official statement about the incidents.