You Need to Update Your Apple Devices Now
Be sure to install the latest Big Sur updates for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS to fix a dangerous security vulnerability that hackers are actively exploiting in the wild.
IOS and iPad updates also fix an annoying bug that prevents some iPhone users from being able to unlock their Apple Watch with their phone’s Touch ID. The crucial point, however, is that all iPhone, iPad and Mac users need to update immediately to protect their devices and data from the latest security vulnerability.
The patch notes for iOS / iPadOS 14.7.1 and macOS 11.5.1 updates indicate the bug as CVE-2021-30807. This is a “memory corruption” issue in the IOMobileFrameBuffer component found on all three affected operating systems that allows malicious applications installed on the device to gain elevated privileges and execute arbitrary code attacks.
Unfortunately, both bug reports confirm that Apple received an anonymous “report that this issue may have been actively exploited,” and the ZDNet report indicates that an evidentiary attack has emerged on the network. In other words: unpatched Apple devices are open targets.
For anyone interested in a more detailed description of the issue, Saar Amar of Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC) wrote an in-depth blog post on the issue . In fact, Amar discovered the bug nearly four months ago and was working on a detailed bug report before Apple disclosed the problem itself, and his explanation gives us a deeper look at the bug than we’ve ever received from Apple.
How to install updates on iPhone, iPad and Mac
Updates are available for all iPhones with iOS 14, iPad with iPadOS 14, Mac desktops and Macbooks with macOS Big Sur. Here’s how to check the OS version of your device:
- iOS / iPadOS: Go to Settings> General> About and make sure you are using iOS 14.7.1 or later for iPhone or iPadOS 14.7.1 or later for iPad.
- macOS: Click About This Mac from the Apple menu. Make sure it is running macOS 11.5.1 or later.
And here’s how to update your devices:
- iOS / iPadOS: Go to Settings> General> Software Update> Download & Install, then follow the onscreen instructions.
- macOS: From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences> Software Update> Update Now and follow the instructions.