It's not just Internet infrastructure that's susceptible to Heartbleed, one of the most pervasive OpenSSL security threats in some time. Mobile apps may also be at risk, and several firms are offering warnings and patches to safeguard consumer phones.

The Heartbleed bug is a software flaw discovered last week in the OpenSSL "Heartbeats" function that helps keep secure Internet connections alive. The bug could potentially let cyber criminals steal endless amounts of personal data.

While concern was initially for vulnerable websites, researchers are now warning that both Google (Nasdaq: GOOG) and Apple Inc. (Nasdaq: AAPL)'s mobile operating systems could be at risk as well. As such, BlackBerry said on Monday that it would release security updates for its messaging software on Android and iOS devices by the end of the week.

BlackBerry devices themselves don't use the at-risk software, but the company tells Reuters it needs to update its Secure Work Space corporate email and BBM messaging program that are in use on Android and iOS. The risk level may be relatively low, but the company says it could infect those who use the apps either on WiFi or over the cellular network.

Technically, any app that uses the OpenSSL code is susceptible to the Heartbleed bug. Mobile security provider Lookout has put out a Heartbleed Detector app that, when downloaded by a mobile phone user, can determine what version of OpenSSL the device is using and check to see if the vulnerable feature in Hearbeats is enabled. It can't do anything about it -- that's up to Google or the device maker -- but it does alert consumers to the potential for harm.

Since the bug was unearthed, there haven't been reports of widespread damage, but it could only be a matter of time. In the meantime, companies from operators to network equipment makers to software providers are working hard to develop patches and upgrades so consumers aren't affected. (See Cisco, Juniper Treating Gear Against Potential Heartbleed and Eurobites: Telenor Counters Heartbleed Threat.)

Lookout suggests that consumers should also change their passwords, but not until told to by their individual service providers, as the vulnerability pulls data from the active memory of the affected systems, so any attackers might still have access to a new password as well.

— Sarah Reedy, Senior Editor, Light Reading