Apple Releases Safari 15.6.1 for macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina With Important Security Fix

Apple today released Safari version 15.6.1 for the older macOS Big Sur and macOS Catalina operating systems. The update includes an important security fix for a WebKit vulnerability that could lead to arbitrary code execution, according to Apple.

safari icon blue banner
Apple said it is aware of a report that the WebKit vulnerability may have been actively exploited, so updating Safari is highly recommended.

Apple released macOS Monterey 12.5.1, iOS 15.6.1, and iPadOS 15.6.1 yesterday with fixes for both WebKit and kernel vulnerabilities. As noted by Mr. Macintosh on Twitter, a fix for the kernel-related vulnerability has yet to be released for macOS Big Sur or macOS Catalina, but it's unclear if that vulnerability affects those operating systems.

Tag: Safari

Popular Stories

iPhone Pocket Short

iPhone Pocket is Now Completely Sold Out Worldwide

Tuesday November 25, 2025 7:16 am PST by
Apple recently teamed up with Japanese fashion brand ISSEY MIYAKE to create the iPhone Pocket, a limited-edition knitted accessory designed to carry an iPhone. However, it is now completely sold out in all countries where it was released. iPhone Pocket became available to order on Apple's online store starting Friday, November 14, in the United States, France, China, Italy, Japan, Singapore, ...
Netflix Smaller 4

Netflix Kills Casting From Its Mobile App to Most Modern TVs

Monday December 1, 2025 4:36 am PST by
Netflix has quietly removed the ability to cast content from its mobile apps to most modern TVs and streaming devices, including newer Chromecast models and the Google TV Streamer. The change was first spotted by users on Reddit and confirmed in an updated Netflix support page (via Android Authority), which now states that the streaming service no longer supports casting from mobile devices...
Sad Siri Feature

Apple AI Chief John Giannandrea Retiring After Siri Delays

Monday December 1, 2025 2:16 pm PST by
Apple AI chief John Giannandrea is stepping down from his position and retiring in spring 2026, Apple announced today. Giannandrea will serve as an advisor between now and 2026, with former Microsoft AI researcher Amar Subramanya set to take over as vice president of AI. Subramanya will report to Apple engineering chief Craig Federighi, and will lead Apple Foundation Models, ML research, and ...
Cyber Week Deals 2025

Best Cyber Week Apple Deals Include Big Discounts on AirPods, Apple Watch, and More

Sunday November 30, 2025 7:33 am PST by
Cyber Week is here, and you can find popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more at all-time low prices. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running. Specifically,...
iOS 26

When Will Apple Release iOS 26.2?

Monday December 1, 2025 4:37 pm PST by
We're getting closer to the launch of the final major iOS update of the year, with Apple set to release iOS 26.2 in December. We've had three betas so far and are expecting a fourth beta or a release candidate this week, so a launch could follow as soon as next week. Past Launch Dates Apple's past iOS x.2 updates from the last few years have all happened right around the middle of the...
studio display purple february

M5 iPad Pro Could Hint at New Studio Display Feature

Sunday November 30, 2025 10:30 am PST by
The updated specs of the M5 iPad Pro may point toward a major new feature for Apple's next-generation Studio Display expected in early 2026. Apple's latest iPad Pro debuted last month and contains one display-related change that stands out: it can now drive external monitors at up to 120Hz with Adaptive Sync. The feature should deliver lower latency, smoother motion, and fewer visual...
maxresdefault

iPhone Fold: Launch, Pricing, and What to Expect From Apple's Foldable

Monday December 1, 2025 3:00 am PST by
Apple is expected to launch a new foldable iPhone next year, based on multiple rumors and credible sources. The long-awaited device has been rumored for years now, but signs increasingly suggest that 2026 could indeed be the year that Apple releases its first foldable device. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we've collated an updated set of key details that ...
New Intel Logo

Apple and Intel Rumored to Partner on Mac Chips Again in a New Way

Friday November 28, 2025 7:33 am PST by
While all Macs are now powered by Apple's custom-designed chips, a new rumor claims that Apple may rekindle its partnership with Intel, albeit in a new and limited way. Apple supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo today said Intel is expected to begin shipping Apple's lowest-end M-series chip as early as mid-2027. Kuo said Apple plans to utilize Intel's 18A process, which is the "earliest...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Still Available

Friday November 28, 2025 6:24 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...

Top Rated Comments

glsillygili Avatar
43 months ago
I wish Apple would make Safari on iOS a standalone app so it can be updated independently of iOS
Score: 33 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shh Avatar
43 months ago

I wish Apple would make Safari on iOS a standalone app so it can be updated independently of iOS
All of their apps should be that way like it is on Android.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Phantom iCloud tabs Avatar
43 months ago

I thought theoretically they had separated most of the core apps, but I still don’t recall ever seeing an update for them outside of a full OS release or point release.

And yet they still choose certain apps that can’t be uninstalled. On the iPhone I can’t think of anything that can’t be uninstalled except maybe App Store itself, but on watch and Mac ironically News for example is there to stay, like it or not.
Exactly. Shutting the whole system down for an hour to update some minor chunk of code in Safari is atrocious design.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagar Avatar
43 months ago

Exactly. Shutting the whole system down for an hour to update some minor chunk of code in Safari is atrocious design.
An hour? This latest update took 5 minutes.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ccsicecoke Avatar
43 months ago
Fix that in 10.9 Mavericks too!
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
hagar Avatar
43 months ago

Your post makes absolutely zero sense. The benefit is we would get app updates immediately when there are issues instead of having to wait for an entire iOS update to get them. There wouldn’t be a million different configurations, it would be exactly the same as it is now. Apps could just be updated at the same time, just like iOS updates are updated at the same time.
You’re missing my point. In your scenario, you might have a user on iOS 15.1.3, Safari 16.0.3 and Music 12.9.3 etc. It will entirely depend on the user which apps and updates they have. So yes, you could end up with many different configurations. And bugs as a result because an issue might arise with a very specific combination. it’s much much harder for Apple to support this approach.

In the current scenario, people do get the latest update when there’s an issue fixed. there’s zero proof updates are delayed . And what do you care if a specific update only contains Safari, or part of the core framework, or some other fixes or an update for the entire OS.

It’s very well possible an update only touches on Safari components, so essentially it’s just a safari update and not “an entire iOS update”.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)