PSA: Safari Security Flaw 'Actively Exploited,' Update Your Apple Devices Now

This week, Apple released critical software updates for Safari which fix a security flaw that exists in the browser across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms. Here's what you need to know.

safari icon blue banner
Specifically, the platform-wide fix is for a vulnerability in Safari's WebKit engine that Apple believes may have been "actively exploited" in the wild by hackers.

The flaw, according to Apple, could allow bad actors to "process maliciously crafted web content" that may lead to "arbitrary code execution."

An additional fix that exists in the latest update for macOS Monterey, 12.5.1, relates to a vulnerability that may allow an application to "execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges."

In other words, it could allow hackers to access the deepest layer of the operating system and take complete control of the affected device. Apple says it is aware of a report that this issue may also have been actively exploited.

If you haven't updated already, it's important to do so at the earliest opportunity. The latest critical updates are as follows:

To update your iPhone or iPad, head to Settings -> General -> Software Update. To update your Mac, open System Preferences and select the Software Update preference pane.

Top Rated Comments

RedDeliciousPinkLady Avatar
17 months ago
And if our devices are so old that they can't reach those OS versions, we're supposed to just not use them anymore, right? It sounds like a sarcastic question, but is that actually, in the grand scheme of security, what we're supposed to be doing?
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
syklee26 Avatar
17 months ago
Why does Safari always have to be updated with iOS update? Can't they just patch flaws independently?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BootsWalking Avatar
17 months ago
The flaw, according to Apple, could allow bad actors to "process maliciously crafted web content" that may lead to "arbitrary code execution."

This man has been brought in for questioning:


Attachment Image
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclardy Avatar
17 months ago
If only Safari was an actual app store app and could allow updates outside of the core OS...
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
xxray Avatar
17 months ago
Uhh is this fixed in the iOS/iPadOS/macOS 16 betas??
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
17 months ago
What would be really useful would be a status message (in System Preferences?) for Apple to inform you if any of your devices have been compromised – so you can erase them and reinstall the OS.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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