iPhone and iPad owners should update their devices to the latest available versions of iOS and iPadOS, especially older models that were not eligible to receive the latest version of iOS, according to CERT-In – Or the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team. The nodal security agency appointed to deal with cyber security threats in the country recently released a vulnerability note that warns of a security flaw affecting certain models running on iOS 16.7 or iPadOS 16.7 and older versions and asks users to Asks you to update your devices.
In its vulnerability note CIVN-2023-0303 released in early October, CERT-In highlighted security flaws that affected older versions of iOS and iPadOS that the iPhone maker patched in an update. released last month, According to the agency, the flaws affect versions prior to iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1. The company launched iOS 17, the latest version of its mobile operating system, in September. However, older models that were not eligible will remain on iOS 16 and will continue to receive security updates from time to time.
CERT-In indicates Apple support article It details the security issues patched by the company with the update to iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1. With a recent update for older devices, Apple has fixed a flaw caused by improper verification in a kernel component on Apple’s operating systems. The kernel is a core piece of software that has wide reach and interfaces between the operating system and device hardware. According to Apple, this flaw can be actively exploited in older iOS versions.
Similarly, Apple also patched the buffer overflow issue discovered in the WebRTC (a real-time communication protocol used by many web services) component on the latest iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 updates. According to the firm, a malicious user can gain elevated privileges on these operating systems and run nefarious code on the victim’s device.
Luckily, it’s easy to protect yourself if you’re running a slightly older iPhone or iPad. CERT-In points to Apple’s support page for the latest iOS 16.7.1 and iPadOS 16.7.1 updates and states that users can update their devices to the latest version to stay safe from the security vulnerabilities.
While CERT-In’s advisory covers the patched security vulnerabilities on iOS 16.7.1, Apple has since iOS 16.7.2 released together iOS 17.1, These updates arrived on October 25 with fixes for even more vulnerabilities related to various system components and apps like Safari, Siri, Find My, Weather, and the iOS kernel.
owning to iPhone 8, iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (5th generation), iPad Mini (5th Generation) And ipad pro Models that are running on iOS 16 can manually check for the update on their smartphones or tablets.
How to Download the Latest iOS Update
- Connect to a Wi-Fi network and charge your iPhone or iPad to more than 50 percent.
- tap on General , software update In the Settings app.
- Wait until the iOS 16.7.2 update is listed, then tap update Now,
- Enter your phone’s passcode to start the update process and wait for your phone to reboot.