Hackers claim gaining root access to RIM’s PlayBook tablet

A group of hackers claim they were able to exploit a  vulnerability in Research In Motion's PlayBook tablet to gain root access to the device, a claim that could potentially damage the company's hard-won reputation for security.

Root access gives a user permission to alter files or programmes on a device and gain control over hardware functions.

Responding to queries, RIM said it was investigating the claim, and would release a patch if a "jailbreak" was confirmed.

The three hackers who call themselves xpvqs, neuralic and Chris Wade say they will release their data within a week as a tool called DingleBerry.

Attacks on Apple's iOS and Google's Android operating systems by users who want to run programmes other than the ones approved, are frequent, but breaches of RIM's software are quite rare.

The PlayBook runs on the QNX operating system, which RIM's BlackBerry smartphones will start using from next year.