Glibc bug: Potentially 'catastrophic' computer glitch could hit thousands of devices

A potentially "catastrophic" computer bug has been discovered which may put hundreds of thousands of devices at risk of being hacked.

The major flaw is said to be found in code used in large numbers of apps and software that has been described as the “building blocks” of the web.

Panicked experts were said to be “running around” trying work out how serious the problem was.

It is feared huge numbers of computers, routers and other devices may be vulnerable to devastating hacking attacks.

Professor Alan Woodward, a security expect from the University of Surrey, told the BBC: "Many people are running around right now trying to work out if this is truly catastrophic or whether we have dodged a bullet."

Google engineers said the bug relates to a widely-used library of code called “glibc”. They are keeping their findings from the public for security reasons.

The glitch does not affect major systems like Windows or OS X, but smaller connected devices may be at risk.

"Think routers and increasingly anything considered part of the 'Internet of Things'," Prof Woodward said.