Tech

Apple Warns Users to Update to iOS 17.5

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ios 17.5, apple, ios, operating system

Apple is urging its iPhone users to update their phones’ operating system to iOS 17.5, as it addresses 15 security vulnerabilities.

  • There were some new features and enhancements.
  • The update focused heavily on further securing the phone, so users could keep on enjoying Apple’s biggest selling point: Security.

Apple has released its new iPhone operating system (OS) update, iOS 17.5, with an “Update Now” warning to all users.

The new OS introduces some new features and enhancements, improving the user experience. The team added support for detecting and locating third-party object trackers. Apple also added a European special, allowing users to download iOS apps directly from developers’ websites and bypass the App Store.

But what takes the cake are the bug fixes and security updates. The new iOS 17.5 addresses 15 critical security vulnerabilities, some of which have been deemed particularly severe. Hence, the warning that’s pushing all iPhone users to immediately update the OS. You wouldn’t want your security compromised, now would you? As fast as technology is evolving, so are hackers. Their methods are becoming scarily sophisticated.

Apple has a great track record of keeping its devices, especially iPhones, secure. They are very diligent in handing out updates. Their prompt response is a crucial shield against potential exploits. For example, with iOS 17.3 and later, Apple introduced Stolen Device Protection to protect against instances when someone has stolen an iPhone and knows the user’s passcode, preventing critical device and Apple ID account operations.

One of the vulnerabilities rectified in iOS 17.5 is a critical flaw nestled within the iPhone’s kernel (in case you didn’t know, kernels are the core program of an OS and have the highest level of access on your device), ominously labeled as CVE-2024-27818. This loophole had the potential to grant malicious actors unauthorized access to execute malicious code. They would have posed a palpable threat to users’ sensitive data and device integrity.

Another bug, AppleAVD, if exploited, could have facilitated the execution of arbitrary code with Kernel privileges. This means that malicious actors could have run any malicious program they wanted with complete control over the entire system. This one would have posed a potent threat to user security, especially during app downloads.

Beyond that, iOS 17.5 has neutralized a Voice Control vulnerability. There was a weakness in the software that controls how you interact with your iPhone using your voice. Had Apple left this bug unchecked, hackers could have leveraged it to gain unauthorized access to your device.

The team also included a patch addressing a vulnerability within WebKit, the powerhouse behind the Safari browser, marked as CVE-2024-27834.

Those are just some of the loopholes that the update fixes. It’s a good thing Apple caught these vulnerabilities before they were exploited. Now, listen to Apple and update your OS.

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