Update Your Apple Devices As Soon As Possible
It’s time to update your iPhone. No, iOS 17 isn’t out yet (but it’s coming soon): instead, the company has released important security patches to fix vulnerabilities on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even Apple Watch.
Apple’s latest updates fix two security vulnerabilities
There are two specific vulnerabilities here that Apple has discovered and patched. The first is the ImageIO issue, which allows attackers to send you malicious images that can lead to arbitrary code execution. Essentially, if you open one of these malicious images, the attacker on the other end of the line will be able to run any code on your device and, in theory, control it.
The second vulnerability fixed is related to the Wallet application: a malicious attachment can also lead to arbitrary code execution. Theoretically, you could unwittingly add a malicious password to your wallet, which would allow attackers to run their code on your device and hijack it.
For iPhone and iPad, Apple released iOS 16.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1, respectively, which include fixes for both vulnerabilities. This update is available on all iOS 16 compatible devices, i.e. iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generations and newer.
Apple released macOS Ventura 13.5.2 for Macs with a fix for the ImageIO vulnerability, and watchOS 9.6.2 for Apple Watch Series 4 and later with a fix for the Wallet vulnerability.
Unfortunately, Apple has confirmed reports that both vulnerabilities have been exploited, meaning attackers know how to exploit them on unpatched devices. Therefore, it is extremely important to download and install this update on all affected devices as soon as possible.
How to update Apple devices
On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update , then tap Download & Install for iOS 16.6.1. Enter your password, then wait for the update to download before installing it.
In macOS, go to System Settings > General > Software Update , then click Update Now in macOS Ventura 13.5.2. The update for Apple Watch can be found either in the Watch app on iPhone under General > Software Update , or on the watch itself by going to Settings > General > Software Update .