The company is warning that the vulnerability has been exploited.
It’s time to update: hackers are exploiting an exploitable vulnerability within iOS as well as macOS to gain control of devices.
This past Monday Apple released(Opens with a brand new tab) the patch for the vulnerability previously undiscovered CVE-2022-32917 that the company warns “may have been exploited.”
As is the norm, Cupertino released few details regarding the vulnerability. However, the company claims that this attack could affect the iOS as well as the macOS kernels, the primary component of the operating system.
In the event of exploiting this vulnerability, hackers may be able to execute malicious computer software using the iPhone or Mac with kernel privileges. The flaw can be used to alter the configuration of a device, allowing attackers to install malicious software, such as spyware. Apple says it was aware of the flaw through an unidentified security researcher.
In reaction, the company issued patches to iOS 15 and iOS 16(Opens in new window) The patches were also launched on Monday. In iOS 15 the update is intended to safeguard phones that date back to the iPhone 6s. Apple also released updates for macOS Monterey(Opens in new window) and macOS Big Sur(Opens in an entirely new window) as well as iPad models dating back to iPad fifth generation.
While Cupertino hasn’t revealed any specifics however, we wouldn’t be shocked that the hackers who exploited the flaw were government-funded cyberespionage organizations like Israeli’s NSO Group or Candiru. They specialize in identifying previously undiscovered flaws that exist in iOS as well as Android software and then implementing zero-day attacks that may be able to take over a device by simply sending an SMS message or phishing emails. These attacks tend to target important targets like human rights activists, journalists, and journalists and not on everyday users.
To update(Opens in the new window) to update your iPhone navigate to settings > general > software update. The patch is available inside iOS 15.7 (or iOS 16 in the event that you updated). The iPhone is also able to update itself when you’ve turned off automatic updates.
To get the update on Macs, just click on the Apple symbol located in the upper left corner, and then select About This Mac > Software update. The patch will be displayed in the form of macOS Monterey 12.6 or macOS Big Sur 11.7. For more information, read our review of Best Mac Antivirus Software.
