Apple Passwords App Bug Left Users Vulnerable to Phishing Attacks for Months Before Being Fixed

Apple fixed a bug in its Passwords app with December's iOS 18.2 update that had left users vulnerable to phishing attacks in the three months since the launch of iOS 18.

Generic iOS 18 Passwords Feature
According to an Apple security update spotted by 9to5Mac, the Passwords app was sending unencrypted requests for the logos and icons associated with users' stored passwords.

Without protections of encryption, an attacker on the same Wi-Fi network could redirect a user's browser to a clone phishing site where login details could be stolen. The vulnerability was first discovered by developer Mysk's security researchers and reported in September.

Apple's iOS 18.2 security release notes described the bug like so:

Impact: A user in a privileged network position may be able to leak sensitive information

Description: This issue was addressed by using HTTPS when sending information over the network.


Apple lists the bug in security content updates for the Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro, indicating that this issue was fixed across multiple OSes.

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Top Rated Comments

12 months ago
This bug is so basic that Apple must be embarrassed, as they should have some of their people verify security when they make their first passwords app, which is going to be used by millions ?
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
12 months ago
Privacy and Security ?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
12 months ago

If this… and if that… and only if this…. There might be an opportunity to do something.

But it’s fixed now.

When someone comes up who has actually been affected then I’ll join the whingers and complain.

It’s like saying a driver could drive through a red light and cause an accident. But it didn’t happen!!! And until it does.
Did you just say that you'll only complain about people driving through red lights once they cause an accident?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrRom92 Avatar
12 months ago
And through all the betas of iOS 18 nobody caught this
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
12 months ago

This bug is so basic, that Apple must be embarrassed as they should have some of their people verify security when the make their first passwords app, that is going to be used by millions ?
Needs to be on the local wifi network, if you are using public wifi even at school or work the potential of being compromised would be there. If only at home no biggy unless your neighbours are creeps.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
12 months ago

And through all the betas of iOS 18 nobody caught this
What’s surprising is the lack of HTTPS?

For this to work one must have knowledge of the vulnerability then create a fake website and hope the conditions are correct to exploit. Is it possible; yes, is it probable; no
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)