The launch of iOS 17 is imminent – but Apple is still releasing one last update for iOS 16.
Apple will be presenting the iPhone 15 next Tuesday. In this context, the next major iOS version 17 is also coming, which TECHBOOK is also testing in the beta phase. However, the work on the previous version is not over yet, as the company has now provided the update to iOS 16.6.1.
iOS 16.6.1 closes critical security gaps
Like the previous update (iOS 16.6), iOS 16.6.1 does not contain any new functions for the iPhone. Numerous changes and improvements can only be expected with iOS 17. Instead, it is a pure security update that fixes two critical security vulnerabilities.
One of these concerns the Image I/O programming environment, which is used to read and write most image file formats. The vulnerability allows attackers to create malicious images that, when processed, lead to arbitrary code execution. The reason for this is an overfilled buffer memory – a problem that Apple fixed in iOS 16.6.1 with improved memory handling.
Apple Wallet is also affected by a security vulnerability. A maliciously created wallet attachment can also lead to arbitrary code execution. The validation error has been removed through improved logic.
Apple has received reports that both vulnerabilities may have been actively used by hackers for attacks. You can find the details in the corresponding Support document see.
Should you install the update straight away?
Apple itself recommends that all users install the update to iOS 16.6.1. TECHBOOK agrees with this recommendation because these are serious security gaps that have also been actively exploited.
It is not expected that the update, which is several hundred megabytes in size, will cause problems after installation. As a rule, only major function updates lead to impairments in iPhone usage.
At the same time as iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, watchOS 9.6.2 and macOS 13.5.2 are also available for download. These updates also contain the Security patches – if they affect the respective device.