Urgent OS update on iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac

iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac users can install an update before the new versions of their respective operating systems are unveiled, later this month. A few days before its 2023 launch event, on September 12, Apple has released a new series of updates intended to fix bugs in its main products.

For iPhone and iPad users, iOS 16.6.1 and iPadOS 16.6.1 can now be installed on iPhone 8 and later, all iPad Pro models, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

This update fixes two different vulnerabilities. The first affects the ImageIO framework, which allows applications to read and write different types of files. The flaw would have allowed the processing of a “maliciously crafted image” to trigger an arbitrary code execution, which means that hackers could have taken control of your device.

These flaws could have been actively exploited

The other bug concerns the Wallet application and could also have allowed the execution of an arbitrary code on your iPhone or iPad. By solving these two flaws, Apple said that these flaws could have been actively exploited.

To install the update on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > General > Software update. Touch Download and install to apply the update.

For Apple Watch users, watchOS 9.6.2 is also ready to be installed. Available for the Apple Watch Series 4 and later versions, this update resolves the same Wallet vulnerability found on the iPhone and iPad. To install it, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to General, then Software update, and press Download and install.

It is rare for Apple to release updates a few days before a launch event

For Mac users, macOS Ventura 13.5.2 is ready to be installed. This update fixes an ImageIO bug similar to the one discovered on the iPhone and iPad. This is another bug that could have led to arbitrary code execution and may have been exploited.

It is rare for Apple to release updates a few days before a launch event. So these had to be important bug fixes that had to be released quickly. Next Tuesday, September 12, Apple should lift the veil on its new iPhone, Apple Watch, AirPods and potentially other products.

These new products will be accompanied by new versions of iOS/iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and tvOS. Apple usually releases the new versions of its respective operating systems about a week after the launch event, which means that they are expected around September 19th.

Source: “ZDNet.com “