Apple just recently released iOS 15.6.1 and along the update, a warning was issued by them. Apparently there were some loopholes that hackers were taking advantage of to attack your iPhone. However, Apple has gone and fixed those two security holes but they urge every user to stay up-to-date.
First and foremost, Apple fixed the iPhone Kernel tracked as CVE-2022-32894. It could easily allow an application to execute code with Kernel. “Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited,” says a newly formed section on Apple’s support page.
Secondly, Apple went onto fix the Webkit issue in iOS 15.6.1 – the browser and search engine that operates Safari. This issue can easily allow arbitrary code execution. Apple claims that some hackers were actively using it in some real life scenarios.
When Apple released iOS 15.6.1, they stated that the upgrade “provides important security updates and is recommended for all users,”. Some of you might be wondering that Apple just released iOS 15.6 and now just days after they have released iOS 15.6.1. Well the urgency was to safeguard the iPhones from any harm-doers. It also becomes Apple’s fastest release after an existing iOS update.
Update Immediately
Apple hasn’t really said much on the case of “attacks” on the users phone. Major details weren’t shared so that the hackers can’t get prepared for something much worse. However, its been claimed that the compatible iPhones should update to iOS 15.6.1 as soon as possible. It is probably the most important update of the year and to avoid any further inconvenience, update your devices. Many Apple enthusiasts and security researchers have talked about how important it is to update your iPhone 15.6.1 right now. Some say that its even possible for the hackers to combine both of these loophole vulnerabilities and gain full access to an individual’s iPhone.
Yes I know how annoying it is to update your iPhone straight away but as they say, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. These issues are absolutely not taken to be lightly.
In case you were wondering how to update your iPhone, open Settings. Click on General and then tap on Software Update to successfully download the update.
Raging Concerns
A quite famous security company gone by the name of Sophos has opened up about the vulnerabilities. According to them, these flaws and errors can easily lead to a much bigger real-life attack. The blog from Sophos also explains how the Webkit problem can play the role of a “booby trapped web page” and subsequently take your devices into an unsafe environment where you can get hacked. “Simply put, a cybercriminal could implant malware on your device even if all you did was view an otherwise innocent web page,” the blog states.
Now some of us would start avoiding Safari to stay extra safe but Sophos claims in a convincingly manner that it won’t be of help.
“The vulnerability potentially affects many more apps and system components than just Apple’s own Safari browser.”
Keep in mind to update your iPhones to iOS 15.6.1, MacBooks to macOS Monterey 12.5.1 and Apple Watches to watchOS 8.7.1.
