German security agency cites Apple software flaw

BERLIN — Germany’s information technology security agency says the software running Apple Inc.’s iPhones, iPads, and the iPod Touch has “critical weaknesses.”

The Federal Office for Information Security said Wednesday that clicking on an infected PDF file “is sufficient to infect the mobile device with malware without the user’s knowledge” on versions of Apple’s iOS operating system.

It says the same could occur when opening a Web site that carries an infected PDF file, possibly opening the device to criminals spying on passwords, planners, photos, text messages, and emails and even listening in on phone conversations.