Almost exactly two months ago, Apple released iOS 15.4, which addresses 39 serious security issues for millions of iPhone users. Now there is another massive security update in the form of iOS 15.5, which really needs to be installed as soon as possible.
What needs to be, saving all the urgent security updates, the last iteration of iOS 15 before the release of iOS 16, has already arrived. The functionality improvements for Apple Cash, Apple Podcasts, and Apple Messages are explained in this article by David Phelan. However, my rhythm is security, and since that was the reason I switched from an Android device to an iPhone a few years ago, here’s what 15.5 brings to the smartphone’s security party and why you need to update now.
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The huge security update of iOS 15.5 in detail
This important update to iOS comes with fixes for about 34 vulnerabilities, covering the full range of exploitation options from running any code with kernel or system privileges, to bypassing sandbox restrictions, denying service, and increasing privileges.
Like Google with Chrome updates, Apple did not disclose security issues in full technical detail until an update was provided, and most users were able to install it. However, some of the impacts if the vulnerability is exploited by a threat, as confirmed by Apple, include:
- Execute arbitrary code by processing a maliciously created image
- Processing a “large entrance” can lead to a denial of service
- Track users in Safari’s private browsing mode from a malicious website
- Access photos from the lock screen (requires physical access)
- Execute code by processing malicious web content
The full list of references to common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVE) is as follows:
- CVE-2015-4142
- CVE-2022-22673
- CVE-2022-22677
- CVE-2022-23308
- CVE-2022-26700
- CVE-2022-26701
- CVE-2022-26702
- CVE-2022-26703
- CVE-2022-26706
- CVE-2022-26709
- CVE-2022-26710
- CVE-2022-26711
- CVE-2022-26714
- CVE-2022-26716
- CVE-2022-26717
- CVE-2022-26719
- CVE-2022-26731
- CVE-2022-26736
- CVE-2022-26737
- CVE-2022-26738
- CVE-2022-26739
- CVE-2022-26740
- CVE-2022-26744
- CVE-2022-26745
- CVE-2022-26751
- CVE-2022-26757
- CVE-2022-26760
- CVE-2022-26762
- CVE-2022-26763
- CVE-2022-26764
- CVE-2022-26765
- CVE-2022-26766
- CVE-2022-26768
- CVE-2022-26771
MORE FROM FORBESGoogle Details of 2 “Impressive” zero-day security exploits on iOS / iMessage in a new report By Davey Winder
Don’t delay, update to iOS 15.5 today
Although none of the security vulnerabilities patched by the iOS 15.5 update are of the zero-day type and are not known to have been exploited by threat participants at this time, this is no excuse for complacency. Now that the fixes are out, it’s a race against time, as those who could harm you are looking for ways to exploit these vulnerabilities. Most of the security issues have serious enough consequences that updating your iPhone should really be a hassle. As Kate O’Flaherty of the Forbes Straight Talking Cyber (STC) team says in the video at the top of this article, the benefits of protecting your smartphone outweigh the risks of functionality error more often than not. Of course, your specific case may mean that delaying an update is your preferred option, but for most users, the “don’t delay, update today” advice is firm. Of course, it’s a good idea to make sure your device is backed up to iCloud or your own computer before starting any updates.
Update your iPhone: step by step
First of all, STC recommends that you set your iPhone to update automatically. You can do this by going to Settings | General | Software Update | Automatic Updates and then your iPhone needs to be updated overnight while charging and connected to Wi-Fi.
Enable automatic updates for peace of mind
Davey Winder
Regardless of the status of your automatic update, unless you have received a notification informing you that your iPhone has already been updated to 15.5, it is recommended that you go check and resolve the issue.
Go to Settings | General | Software Update and start the process.
Navigate to the software update option on your iPhone to start the process
Davey Winder
You’ll see a progress bar with the download status followed by the upcoming update. Be warned, this may take some time, so don’t panic, just wait.
It will take some time, but your iPhone will be protected with the latest security fixes when … [+] you see this on the lock screen
Davey Winder
Your iPhone will eventually reboot. On my iPhone 13 Pro, connected to gigabit broadband, it took about 15 minutes to complete the iOS 15.5 update. After your device restarts, you will see the above confirmation on the lock screen, which means that your device is up to date with security fixes.
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