Apple has released iOS 17.6 and warned users to update their iPhones immediately.
Apple has released iOS 17.6 with a warning to update now, as it includes 35 security fixes for critical security holes in Apple’s iPhone operating system.
Apple has not provided many details about what has been fixed in iOS 17.6, in order to allow as many people as possible to update before attackers get hold of the information, but a listing on Apple’s support page indicates that iOS 17.6 fixes a bug in the kernel, which is at the heart of the iPhone operating system, as well as several flaws in WebKit, the engine underlying the Safari browser.
The upgrade to iOS 17.6 has been a long time coming, as Apple has just released its last major security update. iOS17.5 UpdateMid May.
iOS 17.6 security fixes
Notable fixes include the patching of two kernel flaws in iOS 17.6. CVE-2024-27863 and CVE-2024-40788. The first issue could allow an attacker to determine the kernel memory layout, while the second issue could allow an attacker to cause an unexpected system shutdown, Apple reports. Support pageBoth vulnerabilities require an attacker to have physical access to the iPhone.
The iOS 17.6 upgrade also fixes eight issues. WebKitVulnerabilities such as CVE-2024-40785 could lead to cross-site scripting attacks if maliciously crafted web content is used to trick an attacker.
Apple has released iOS 17.6 iOS 16.7.9 It fixed some security flaws for older iPhones.
Why you should update to iOS 17.6 now
While these issues have not yet been exploited in real-world attacks, some of the security flaws fixed in iOS 17.6 are quite serious: if an attacker can take control of the kernel, they could potentially gain control of the iPhone.
But there’s another reason to update to iOS 17.6 this time: This upgrade may be the last one before Apple releases iOS 17.6. iOS18 Update September. Some Apple users may be reluctant to update to iOS 18, wanting to wait for a few point updates for early bugs to be fixed.
Apple is well aware of this, and iPhone makers usually update For about a month after a major upgrade is issued, you’ll have the legacy operating system with important security fixes, but these fixes won’t be as thorough, so having the latest iPhone operating system will always provide you with better security.
Apple’s iOS 17.6 update is available for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation and later, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 6th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.
The iOS 18 upgrade isn’t coming soon, so updating to iOS 17.6 now will help maximize the security of your iPhone in the meantime. What are you waiting for? Go to Settings > General > Software Update to upgrade your iPhone to iOS 17.6 now.
