iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 patch as many as 30 vulnerabilities and zero-day exploits, so install the update on your iPhone and iPad to get the latest security protections.
Apple released the iOS 17.6, iPadOS 17.6, macOS Sonoma 14.6, tvOS 17.6, watchOS 10.6 and visionOS 1.3 software update on July 29th, 2024. Release notes only mention “important bug fixes and security updates” and no new features.
But Apple’s page dedicated to detailing security fixes for its software reveals, iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 address as many as thirty vulnerabilities in apps like Phone and Shortcuts; system features like Siri, VoiceOver and Family Sharing; as well as core sub-systems like the kernel, the WebKit rendering engine, AirDrop, etc.
iOS 17.6 protects your iPhone against these vulnerabilities
Both software updates include fixes for so-called zero-day vulnerabilities, which are critical bugs that are unknown to the vendor without a fix available at that moment. Apple didn’t disclose whether some of the fixed vulnerabilities may have been exploited in the wild. The important thing is, they’re now fixed and all you need to do is install the update to protect against these exoplits.
On the Mac side of things, macOS Sonoma 14.6 patches 54 vulnerabilities, including an issue with the sudo Terminal command that could enable an app to modify protected parts of the file system, a Siri issue that could let an attacker with physical access to your computer access contacts from the Lock Screen, a Safari vulnerability allowing an app to bypass Gatekeeper checks and a Photos bug allowing images in the Hidden Photos album to be viewed without authentication.
VisionOS 1.3 fixes 15 vulnerabilities, including one discovered in Apple’s Neural Engine AI coprocessor that could allow a local attacker to cause an unexpected system shutdown. tvOS 17.6 fixes 16 vulnerabilities and watchOS 10.6 twenty-four.
Other updates are available
Apple also issued the following updates for older devices that include the same security protections as the above updates.
- iOS 16.7.9 and iPadOS 16.7.9
- iOS 15.8.3 and iPadOS 15.8.3
- macOS Ventura 13.6.8
- macOS Monterey 12.7.6
On Macs powered by macOS Monterey and Ventura, you can also download Safari 17.6 which fixes 5 vulnerabilities in the WebKit layout engine, along with an issue where visiting a website that frames malicious content may lead to UI spoofing.