iOS 17.6 brings important security fixes

Apple has released iOS 17.6, bringing 35 security fixes, some of them quite major fixes and users are recommended to update as soon as possible.

Among the fixes, iOS 17.6 patches two flaws in the Kernel tracked as CVE-2024-27863 and CVE-2024-40788. The first issue could allow an adversary to determine Kernel memory layout while the second could enable an attacker to cause unexpected system shutdown.

Both vulnerabilities require an attacker to have physical access to your iPhone.

The iOS 17.6 upgrade also patches eight issues in WebKit, including CVE-2024-40785, which could result in a cross site scripting attack if you fell for maliciously crafted web content.

iOS 17.6 and iPadOS 17.6 Security Fixes

AppleMobileFileIntegrity

Impact: An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences

Description: A downgrade issue was addressed with additional code-signing restrictions.

CoreGraphics

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination

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

CoreMedia

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted video file may lead to unexpected app termination

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

dyld

Impact: A malicious attacker with arbitrary read and write capability may be able to bypass Pointer Authentication

Description: A race condition was addressed with additional validation.

Family Sharing

Impact: An app may be able to read sensitive location information

Description: This issue was addressed with improved data protection.

ImageIO

Impact: Processing an image may lead to a denial-of-service

Description: This is a vulnerability in open source code and Apple Software is among the affected projects. The CVE-ID was assigned by a third party. Learn more about the issue and CVE-ID at cve.org.

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination

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

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination

Description: An out-of-bounds access issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to unexpected app termination

Description: An integer overflow was addressed with improved input validation.

Kernel

Impact: A local attacker may be able to determine kernel memory layout

Description: An information disclosure issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries.

Impact: A local attacker may be able to cause unexpected system shutdown

Description: A type confusion issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

libxpc

Impact: An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences

Description: A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.

Phone

Impact: An attacker with physical access may be able to use Siri to access sensitive user data

Description: A lock screen issue was addressed with improved state management.

Photos Storage

Impact: Photos in the Hidden Photos Album may be viewed without authentication

Description: An authentication issue was addressed with improved state management.

Sandbox

Impact: An app may be able to bypass Privacy preferences

Description: This issue was addressed through improved state management.

Impact: An app may be able to access protected user data

Description: A path handling issue was addressed with improved validation.

Shortcuts

Impact: A shortcut may be able to use sensitive data with certain actions without prompting the user

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved checks.

Impact: A shortcut may be able to bypass Internet permission requirements

Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved checks.

Impact: A shortcut may be able to bypass Internet permission requirements

Description: This issue was addressed by adding an additional prompt for user consent.

Impact: An app may be able to access user-sensitive data

Description: This issue was addressed by removing the vulnerable code.

Siri

Impact: An attacker may be able to view sensitive user information

Description: This issue was addressed through improved state management.

Impact: An attacker with physical access may be able to use Siri to access sensitive user data

Description: This issue was addressed by restricting options offered on a locked device.

Impact: An attacker with physical access to a device may be able to access contacts from the lock screen

Description: This issue was addressed by restricting options offered on a locked device.

VoiceOver

Impact: An attacker may be able to view restricted content from the lock screen

Description: The issue was addressed with improved checks.

WebKit

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash

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

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash

Description: An out-of-bounds read was addressed with improved bounds checking.

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to a cross site scripting attack

Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash

Description: An out-of-bounds access issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to an unexpected process crash

Description: This is a vulnerability in open source code and Apple Software is among the affected projects. The CVE-ID was assigned by a third party. Learn more about the issue and CVE-ID at cve.org.

Impact: Private Browsing tabs may be accessed without authentication

Description: This issue was addressed through improved state management.