On Friday, March 26, Apple releases an urgent security update for iPhone, iPad, and Watch that includes an important security fix for WebKit.
Users are urged to update to iOS 14.4.2 and iPadOS 14.4.2 for iPhone and iPad, and watchOS 7.3.3 for the Apple watch immediately.
The company also released patch update iOS 12.5.2 for the iOS 12, allowing older models such as iPhone 6, iPhone 5s, first-generation iPad Air, third-generation iPad mini, and the sixth-generation iPod touch to benefit from the security fixes.
This update comes amid rumors that iOS 14.5 would be launched to the public in the first week of April.
iOS 14.4.2 release date: What to expect
Apple described on the Support page that the security content of iOS 14.4.2 and iPadOS 14.4.2. addresses an actively exploited vulnerability.
"Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to universal cross site scripting. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited," the page explained.
SME application security lead Sean Wright described what the vulnerability entails via an article released by Forbes.
As he explained, the said vulnerability is a cross-site scripting that gives attackers multiple means to attack a victim's device.
With this vulnerability, attackers could redirect unsuspected users to a phishing or malicious site, perform actions on a website on the user's behalf, or even obtain information from the user's browsing session.
He added that almost every site and app the user visit may have been impacted by the vulnerability since it was spotted in WebKit.
iOS 14.5 Public Release Delayed
The public release of the much-anticipated iOS 14.5 has been delayed, and in its place, Apple seeded iOS 14.5 Public Beta 5.
A MacRumors' article posted on Tuesday, March 23, revealed that the iOS 14.5 update is a huge jump from iOS 14 as it will have several significant new features.
Firstly, the update makes it much easier to unlock an iPhone when the user has a facemask on, using the new "Unlock with Apple Watch" feature.
The feature allows a user to assign an unlocked yet authenticated Apple Watch as a secondary authentication method along with Face ID.
The feature will let the user unlock their iPhone without removing their facemask, but it can neither authenticate App Store and Apple Pay purchases nor unlock third-party apps that use Face ID.
iOS 14.5 would also lay the groundwork for Apple's "App Tracking Transparency feature," wherein apps would be required to ask for permission whenever it needs to track user's activities outside the app.
Additionally, the update would bring 5G worldwide support on iPhone 12 models in Dual-SIM mode, allowing users with multiple lines to connect to 5G simultaneously.
The Apple maps in the upcoming iOS update will also get its upgrade, as it will soon allow users to crowdsource crash reporting, speed traps, and road hazards in real-time.
Related Article : Apple iOS 14 Updates Force Advertisers to Move Into Android System, Why?
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Lee Mercado
