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Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.3.1 Includes Fix for Actively Exploited Vulnerability

The iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 updates that Apple released today include an important security fix, and it's important to install the new software as soon as possible because this bug was exploited in the wild.

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According to Apple's security support document for iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, it addresses an accessibility vulnerability that could disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device.

Exploiting this vulnerability requires physical access to a device, and Apple says that it was used against specific individuals.

Impact: A physical attack may disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.

The vulnerability was fixed with improved state management, according to Apple. Note that Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.5 with the same security fix for devices that are not able to run iPadOS 18.

You will want to install iOS 18.3.1 if you have an iPhone compatible with iOS 18 in order to ensure you are protected from vulnerabilities. The same goes for iPadOS 18.3.1 or iPadOS 17.7.5 depending on which iPad you have.

Related Forums: iOS 18, iPadOS 18

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Top Rated Comments

14 months ago
iOS 18 has been the worst iOS in history when it comes to safety and stability/performance.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Jashar7 Avatar
14 months ago

The iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 updates that Apple released today include an important security fix, and it's important to install the new software as soon as possible because this bug was exploited in the wild.



According to Apple's security support document for iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1, it addresses an accessibility vulnerability that could disable USB Restricted Mode on a locked device.

Exploiting this vulnerability requires physical access to a device, and Apple says that it was used against specific individuals.

The vulnerability was fixed with improved state management, according to Apple. Note that Apple has also released iPadOS 17.7.5 with the same security fix for devices that are not able to run iPadOS 18.

You will want to install iOS 18.3.1 if you have an iPhone compatible with iOS 18 in order to ensure you are protected from vulnerabilities. The same goes for iPadOS 18.3.1 or iPadOS 17.7.5 depending on which iPad you have.

Article Link: Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.3.1 Includes Fix for Actively Exploited Vulnerability ('https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/10/ios-18-3-1-vulnerability-fix/')
Don’t care iOS 18.3 has the best battery life I ver experienced in a while also it’s super smooth, I ain’t updating and ruining my phone 👍
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago
Make sure you re-disable Apple Intelligence after this too… automtically switches back on.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago
CIA/Mossad hack.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
victorvictoria Avatar
14 months ago
I kinda miss the old days when Apple's market share was so small that no one bothered to look for exploits.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
14 months ago
Weird how iPadOS 17 contains this vulnerability, but iOS 17 doesn’t.

In any case, glad I never updated to 18. Worst iOS in a long time.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)