You Need to Update All Your Apple Devices Now
If you have an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or even a Vision Pro, it’s time to upgrade. Apple has just released new security updates for all four devices:iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 ,macOS 15.1.1 andVisionOS 2.1.1 . Even older devices that can’t run Apple’s latest iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 software are gettingiOS 17.7.2 and iPadOS 17.2.2 .
Why the urgency when there are so many different security updates coming out at the same time? Well, all the updates fix two specific security flaws. This may seem like a short list, especially compared to the more than 75 patches included in iOS 18.1 and macOS 15.1 . However, the difference here is that these new updates fix security flaws using known exploits. In other words, someone, somewhere, is taking advantage of these security flaws right now.
The first vulnerability, listed as CVE-2024-44308, is related to JavaScriptCore: by processing malicious web content, you potentially allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on your device. Essentially, they will be able to run their own code on your iPhone, iPad, Mac or Vision Pro. Not good.
The second vulnerability, identified as CVE-2024-44309, is related to WebKit, which is also affected by malicious web content. However, rather than leading to arbitrary code execution, this malicious web content can lead to a cross-site scripting attack, which allows attackers to run their code in your browser rather than on the device as a whole.
Apple says that at the time these security updates were released, the exploits only affected Intel-based Macs. This means the company is not publicly aware of any exploits affecting its M series Macs, iPhones, iPads or Vision Pros. However, since these security updates are available for so many different Apple devices, it can be assumed that these flaws may not only be used on Intel-based Macs. So if you have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 17.7.2 or later, or a Mac running macOS Sequoia or Vision Pro, you’ll need to update them as soon as possible.
How to update Apple devices
Regardless of your Apple device, installing a new update works pretty much the same way. First, open Settings (or System Preferences on macOS), then choose General > Software Update . Here, allow the system to search for a new update. When it appears, follow the onscreen instructions to download and install it.