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iOS 17.7: Update Alert Issued to All iPhone Users
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iOS 17.7: Update Alert Issued to All iPhone Users

Apple released iOS 17.7 on Monday, with a warning to update your iPhone. That’s because iOS 17.7 includes a long list of 16 important security fixes for all iPhone users.

The company isn’t providing much information about what’s fixed in iOS 17.7 to give people time to update and prevent attackers from getting the details. The iOS 17.7 update “delivers important security fixes and is recommended for all users,” Apple said.

Apple’s iOS 17.7 update was released alongside iOS 18, bringing many of the same security fixes. The iOS 17.7 update is for iPhone users who want to wait before upgrading to Apple’s latest software.

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What’s fixed in iOS 17.7?

Among the bugs fixed in iOS 17.7 are two in the kernel at the heart of the iOS operating system, Apple wrote on its support page. The first, tracked as CVE-2024-44165, could lead to network traffic leaks outside a VPN tunnel. The second, CVE-2024-4419, could allow an app to gain unauthorized access to Bluetooth.

The iOS 17.7 update also addresses two issues in Shortcuts that could expose data. A flaw in Mail Accounts, tracked as CVE-2024-40791, could allow an app to access information about a user’s contacts.

Meanwhile, an accessibility issue, CVE-2024-44171, could allow an attacker with physical access to a locked device to control nearby devices via accessibility features.

Most of the vulnerabilities fixed in iOS 17.7 appear to impact availability or privacy, says Sean Wright, head of application security at Featurespace, so he doesn’t think they’re of much value to attackers.

Still, security updates are important, especially if you use your iPhone for work and loss of availability would be a concern. With that in mind, he advises iPhone users to “update to the latest version of iOS 17, or upgrade to iOS 18.”

Apple’s iOS 17.7 update is available for the 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).

Update to iOS 17.7 now — or iOS 18

None of the issues patched in iOS 17.7 have been used in real-world attacks — yet. But it’s a long list of fixes that could impact the operation of your iPhone and its data, making it important to update as soon as possible.

Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can update to iOS 18 now. I’ll also be covering iOS 18 in more detail, so check back over to my page on Forbes.com.

So what are you waiting for? Go to your Settings > General > Software Update and update to iOS 17.7 or iOS 18 now.