IOS 17 Already Has Security Risks
iOS 17 is a great update for your iPhone. For the first time in a decade, it adds over 20 new ringtones and alerts ; lets you customize a full-screen contact poster that appears when you call other iPhones; and introduces video voice messages for FaceTime .
But for all its benefits after its release on Monday, iOS 17 is already outdated: Apple released iOS 17.0.1 and iPadOS 17.0.1 on September 21, just three days after the official release. As far as I can tell, there are no new user-facing features in this update. Instead, 17.0.1 appears to be primarily a security update.
iOS 17.0.1 fixes three security vulnerabilities
Security notes published by Apple state that version 17.0.1 fixes three security vulnerabilities. The first is a flaw in the kernel (the “kernel” of the operating system), which Apple says an attacker can use to escalate their privileges. This means that the vulnerability would allow an attacker to gain access to the system in ways that they would not normally be allowed to do so.
The second flaw affects application security: it addresses a hole that allowed a malicious application to bypass signature verification, which would allow it to bypass the normal restrictions that prevent malicious activity in the first place. Finally, the update also fixes a WebKit bug that could allow malicious web content, such as a link or image, to run code on your system, effectively hijacking your device.
Apple released a similar update for iOS 16.7 and iPadOS 16.7 , aimed at iPhones and iPads that either cannot update to iOS 17 or for users who prefer to stay on iOS 16, as well as an update for macOS Ventura 13.6 . Apple also released watchOS 10.0.1 update and watchOS 9.6.3 update , which fixes kernel and security bugs, and macOS Monterey 12.7 update , which fixes the kernel issue.
The updates come exactly two weeks after Apple released another round of security updates for its devices.
How to update all your Apple devices
To update your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software Update , then tap Download & Install for iOS 17.0.1 (or iOS 16.7). Enter your password, then wait for the update to download before installing it.
In macOS Ventura, go to System Settings > General > Software Update , then click Update Now in macOS Ventura 13.6. To update macOS Monterey, go to System Preferences > General > Software Update , then select Update Now for macOS Monterey 12.7. On Apple Watch, you’ll find the update either in the Watch app on iPhone under General > Software Update , or on the watch itself by going to Settings > General > Software Update .