Apple devices including Apple Watches, Apple TVs, iPhones, and MacBooks, may also contain vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has recently issued a critical warning to Apple users, highlighting a series of high-severity vulnerabilities that have been identified within various Apple products.
This advisory serves as a crucial alert for Apple device owners, as these vulnerabilities pose a significant threat to the security and privacy of their digital ecosystems. The most alarming aspect of these vulnerabilities is the potential for malicious actors to exploit them, ultimately gaining unauthorised access and control over users’ devices.
CERT-In’s proactive stance in issuing this warning underscores the urgency and seriousness of the situation. Apple users are strongly advised to take immediate action to safeguard their digital assets and personal information.
“These vulnerabilities exist in Apple products due to certificate validation issue in the security component, an issue in the Kernel and an error in the WebKit component. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending specially crafted requests,” said CERT-In in an official statement, as per a report.
The list of affected devices includes:
1) Apple iOS versions prior to 16.7 and iPadOS versions prior to 16.7
2) Apple macOS Moneterey versions prior to 12.7
3) Apple watchOS versions prior to 9.6.3
4) Apple iOS versions prior to 17.0.1 and iPadOS versions prior to 17.0.1
5) Apple Safari versions prior to 16.6.1
6) Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.6
7) Apple watchOS versions prior to 10.0.1
In addition to the aforementioned recommendations, CERT-In has provided further guidance to Apple users concerned about securing their personal data and protecting their devices from potential threats. One crucial aspect of this guidance is the urgent need to update not only iOS but also other Apple operating systems such as watchOS, tvOS, and macOS to their most recent versions.
The rationale behind this recommendation is that these operating systems, which power a variety of Apple devices including Apple Watches, Apple TVs, iPhones, and MacBooks, may also contain vulnerabilities that hackers could exploit. By keeping these systems up to date, users can ensure that the latest security patches and enhancements are in place, reducing the risk of exploitation.
Attackers are constantly evolving their tactics to target vulnerabilities in digital ecosystems, and Apple devices are no exception. Therefore, it is vital for users to proactively update all their Apple devices, not just their iPhones or iPads, to bolster their overall digital security. To simplify the process of updating and securing their devices, users can refer to the official CERT-In website at cert-in.org.in, stated a report.
