On Wednesday, Apple released related software updates for iPhone, iPad and Mac in the form of iOS and iPadOS 15.6.1 and macOS Monterey 12.5.1 with important security improvements.
Referring to the iOS 15.6.1 and iPadOS 15.6.1 security content document that Apple posted online shortly after the release of the software updates, it appears that at least two troubling bugs have now been fixed and may have been actively exploited in the wild.. The same concerns about active exploitation in the wild were echoed this afternoon on the @ZecOps Twitter account.
The Twitter account goes on to explain that the bugs could have been used for both single-click and no-click attacks against individuals, however no known examples were provided. However, the idea that such an exploit could have been exploited by attackers is worrisome and fleshes out why the average user should update their iPhone and iPad software whenever possible.
No other significant new features or changes have been announced in iOS or iPadOS 15.6.1.
iOS and iPadOS 15.6.1 can be downloaded for free by going to Settings > General > Software Update on the respective device. On Mac macOS Monterey 12.5.1 can be installed by selecting Apple > System Preferences > Software Update.
Obviously, future jailbreakers should avoid updating to iOS or iPadOS 15.6.1 as the software update improves security and leaves the user one less hole for potential jailbreak tools to fall into. It is likely that in the future jailbreakers will receive some kind of patch in the form of a jailbreak setting so that existing and potential jailbreakers have at least some protection.
Be that as it may, iOS and iPadOS 15.6.1 will likely be the last software updates for iPhone and iPad ahead of the upcoming releases of iOS and iPadOS 16 this fall. These highly anticipated software updates will bring significant design changes and new features to Apple’s mobile platforms and have been in beta testing for several months.
Have you downloaded and installed the iOS and iPadOS 15.6.1 and macOS Monterey 12.5.1 software updates yet? Let us know why or why not in the comments section below.