Apple iOS 15.7.5, iPadOS 15.7.5 Releases: Should You Upgrade? | CPT PPP Coverage

Cryptopolytech (CPT) Public Press Pass (PPP)
News of the Day COVERAGE

200000048 – World Newser
•| #World |•| #Online |•| #Media |•| #Outlet |

View more Headlines & Breaking News here, as covered by cryptopolytech.com

Apple has released iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5 for older iPhones and iPads not supported by iOS 16. The updates patch two critical Zero Day security vulnerabilities which Apple states “may have been actively exploited” by hackers, making them essential. Here’s everything you need to know.

Tip: bookmark this page because I will keep it up-to-date if/when new problems are found. I will deliver my final verdict in a week.

Who Is It For?

iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5 are for iOS 15-compatible devices that are not compatible with iOS 16. This means the iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation). You can trigger the update manually by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update.

Any newer device still running iOS 15 / iPadOS 15 will be forced to update to iOS 16.4 / iPadOS 16.4.1 (it will be labeled ‘iOS 16’ / ‘iPadOS 16’). No further iOS 15 updates are likely to come to your device, although Apple has made exceptions.

The Deal Breakers

One day after release, no significant bug complaints about iOS 15.7.5 or iPadOS 15.7.5 have been reported by upgraders. This is to be expected due to the maturity of these operating systems and the specific nature of their updates. I will update this guide should that change.

So What Do You Get?

Apple’s release notes state that iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5 patch two Zero Day vulnerabilities, one for IOSurfaceAccelerator and one for WebKit (the browser engine for Safari). Apple states that both “may have been actively exploited.” The full details can be found below:

IOSurfaceAccelerator

Available for: iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation)

Impact: An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved input validation.

CVE-2023-28206: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group and Donncha Ó Cearbhaill of Amnesty International’s Security Lab

WebKit

Available for: iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Air 2, iPad mini (4th generation), and iPod touch (7th generation)

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.

Description: A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.

WebKit Bugzilla: 254797

CVE-2023-28205: Clément Lecigne of Google’s Threat Analysis Group and Donncha Ó Cearbhaill of Amnesty International’s Security Lab

Apple iOS 15.7.5, iPadOS 15.7.5 Verdict: Upgrade

iOS 15.7.5 and iPadOS 15.7.5 are essential updates, fixing two real-world threats while having no negative impact on your iPhone or iPad. As always, I will deliver my final verdict for cautious upgraders in one week, but I would not recommend anyone delay installing this update.

The Road Ahead

Owners of iPhones and iPads limited to iOS 15 / iPadOS 15 can still expect Apple to release periodic security updates. But be warned: they will be weeks, if not months, behind the same fixes for iOS 16-compatible devices. If you can afford to update to a newer iPhone or iPad, at this stage, you should.

___

Follow Gordon on Facebook

More On Forbes

MORE FROM FORBESApple iOS 16.4.1 Release: Should You Upgrade?By Gordon Kelly