You Should Update Your Apple Devices Right Now
Yesterday Apple released new updates for iPhone (iOS 15.4.1), iPad (iPadOS 15.4.1), and Mac (macOS 12.3.1), and according to the release notes, they fix some annoying bugs across platforms, including battery drain. An issue many iPhone users have encountered on iOS 15.4. However, Apple has not advertised important security patches that also include these updates, and you should install them as soon as possible.
The updates address two key security flaws. One vulnerability, CVE-2022-22675, exists on all three platforms and allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges in an application, essentially allowing hackers to run any code on your device. Another flaw, CVE-2022-22674, is specific to macOS and occurs in Intel graphics drivers. This vulnerability allows an application to read your kernel memory.
Apple says it has reports that both vulnerabilities may have been exploited in the wild, making these updates especially important.
AppleAVD
Available for: macOS Monterey, iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation).
Impact. The application could execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges.
Description. An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
CVE-2022-22675: Anonymous Researcher
Intel Graphics Driver
Available for: macOS Monterey
Impact. The application could read kernel memory.
Description. An out-of-memory read issue could expose kernel memory and was addressed through improved input validation. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
CVE-2022-22674: Anonymous Researcher
However, security patches aren’t the only reasons to update your devices. For iPhone and iPad, these updates include fixes for the following bugs:
- The battery may drain faster than expected after updating to iOS 15.4/iPadOS 15.4.
- Braille devices may stop responding when navigating through text or displaying alerts.
- Made for iPhone/iPad hearing aids may lose connection with some third-party apps.
Mac users can look forward to fixing these two bugs, one of which gamers will especially like:
- External USB-C or Thunderbolt display won’t turn on when connected to Mac mini (2018) as a second display
- Bluetooth devices, such as game controllers, may disconnect from your Mac after playing audio through some Beats headphones.
How to update to iOS 15.4.1, iPadOS 15.4.1 and macOS 12.3.1
To update your iPhone or iPad to version 15.4.1, go to Settings > General > Software Update . To update your Mac to macOS 12.3.1, go to System Preferences > Software Update . If an update is available on your device, you will see it here. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install the software to protect yourself from these security flaws and also fix those annoying bugs.