Apple Software Alert 8-19-22

[Deleted]

fortune.com/2022/08/19/apple-security-alert-iphone-ipad-mac-users-urged-update-now/

I received the alert yesterday and updated my Mac, iphone, and ipad.

"Apple has warned users about vulnerabilities in its software that would allow hackers to take full control of any device they attack.

The tech giant has said it was “aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited,” but did not expand on just how many users had been affected.

Both bugs exist within WebKit, Apple’s browser engine that powers Safari and applications. One bug could be exploited if the device has accessed or processed “maliciously crafted web content [that] may lead to arbitrary code execution.”

Apple’s support page said that the second bug means malicious actors “may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges,” which effectively grants full access to the device.

Security experts are advising users to update any device that could be affected including iPhones from 6S and above, newer iPads, Mac computers using MacOS Monterey, and even some iPod models."

[anitya]

I have a iPhone 6 Plus. I just checked the settings, Software Updates which is on Automatic Updates. Moreover, the phone says, “Your Software is up-to-date.” IOS 12.5.5. Anything else I need to do?

P.S.: My 2 yr old iPad had a software update alert and I have accepted the update but no such alert for my iPhone.

[johnsmith]

Aug 21, 2022 0:52:01 GMT anitya said:

I have a iPhone 6 Plus. I just checked the settings, Software Updates which is on Automatic Updates. Moreover, the phone says, “Your Software is up-to-date.” IOS 12.5.5. Anything else I need to do?

P.S.: My 2 yr old iPad had a software update alert and I have accepted the update but no such alert for my iPhone.

iPhone 6 Plus can only be updated to 12.5.5

It stopped receiving updates when iOS 13 was released.

iPhone 6S and onwards received updates till iOS 15. My iPhone 6S will stop receiving updates when 16 is released. Personally I think all the Operating system providers should be providing security and software updates for at least 10 years. So much electronic waste otherwise or insecure devices roaming around.

I personally don't expect a 10 year old device to get feature updates.

Definitely would want it to get security updates though.

Google, Microsoft and Apple are making tons of money at the cost of ewaste (tragedy of the commons) - it's time they were all held up for pitching in to make older devices last longer (less ewaste).

[Deleted]

Aug 21, 2022 0:52:01 GMT anitya said:

I have a iPhone 6 Plus. I just checked the settings, Software Updates which is on Automatic Updates. Moreover, the phone says, “Your Software is up-to-date.” IOS 12.5.5. Anything else I need to do?

P.S.: My 2 yr old iPad had a software update alert and I have accepted the update but no such alert for my iPhone.

Checking the settings is a good idea. I do that because automatic updates run over-night or there may be a delay. I have an iphone 8 and the software version update is 15.6.1.

[alvinthechipmunk]

a few months ago, in april, i accepted an update after the advisory appeared, telling me it was available for my macbook air. the update fucked my computer utterly and totally. i accept no more updates from those geniuses. i had to take it in and they "fixed" it by erasing everything I had stored. Shit. They installed the newest flavor of Monterey. I have repeatedly clicked on "remind me later" re: update reminders that appear, since then. But the other night, just 3 or 4 evenings ago, my 'puter froze, then re-started. Of course, I suspect the Apple doink-brains went ahead and inserted their gorgeous and splendid update WITHOUT my approval. Feces.

.....just ran malwarebytes. it shows nothing untoward. i run chrome, not safari.

[Deleted]

Apple's newest OS, Monterey, was mentioned in the reported warning.

[alvinthechipmunk]

Aug 21, 2022 11:10:20 GMT @haven said:

Apple's newest OS, Monterey, was mentioned in the reported warning.

In spite of myself, I went ahead and downloaded the most recent update I found for Monterey: 12.5.1.  It took forever to accomplish. And it did not fry my computer, THIS time. The availability-date of the update was 17 August, '22. I hope that covers the vulnerability mentioned in the Forbes article. Thank you.  

[johnsmith]

Aug 21, 2022 0:52:01 GMT anitya said:

I have a iPhone 6 Plus. I just checked the settings, Software Updates which is on Automatic Updates. Moreover, the phone says, “Your Software is up-to-date.” IOS 12.5.5. Anything else I need to do?

P.S.: My 2 yr old iPad had a software update alert and I have accepted the update but no such alert for my iPhone.

anitya,

There is now a security update for your device (came out a week ago or so).