Apple has rushed out a pair of updates for iPhones and iPads that fix several security flaws, including a Safari bug that lets websites you visit see your browsing history and other personal data.
Both iOS 15.3 and iPadOS 15.3 fix the Safari issue, as detailed by 9to5Mac, as well as several other vulnerabilities within ColorSync, iCloud, and other software as detailed in Apple’s support page. Don’t expect any new features, as these software updates just patch a handful of current issues.
Like all other iOS 15 updates, iOS 15.3 is free and available to compatible Apple devices: the iPhone 6S and newer, iPhone SE (2016), and iPod Touch (7th generation). Similarly, iPadOS 15.3 is free and compatible with these tablets and newer: the iPad (5th generation), iPad Pro (all models), iPad mini 4 and iPad Air 2. To update your iPhone or iPad, head to the Settings app > General > Software Update and tap Install Now.
Apple also started
Along with Apple’s software updates today for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and more, a variety of security issues have been fixed. iOS 15.3 specifically patches 10 notable security bugs ranging from the Safari web browsing leak to a flaw that can give malicious apps root privileges, and more.
We knew about the web browsing and Google account ID flaw being patched ahead of time as it arrived with the RC versions of iOS 15.3 and macOS 12.2 However, Apple has now detailed the full list of security patches with documentation showing up for iOS 15.3, watchOS 8.4, and more.
macOS 12.2 may include the same fixes, but Apple hasn’t published the security update for that just yet.
Beyond the Safari web browsing flaw, others security issues patched include apps gaining root privileges, the ability to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges, accessing user files through an iCloud bug, and more.
Here are the 10 flaws fixed in iOS 15.3 per Apple:
ColorSync
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted file may lead to arbitrary code execution
Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved validation.
CVE-2022-22584: Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro
Crash Reporter
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: A malicious application may be able to gain root privileges
Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved validation.
CVE-2022-22578: an anonymous researcher
rolling out watchOS 8.4 for Apple Watch users in an unrelated update that fixed bugs and improved performance. To update your Apple Watch, head to the Settings app > General > Software Update, or do the same through the Watch mobile app on your paired iPhone.
iCloud
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: An application may be able to access a user’s files
Description: An issue existed within the path validation logic for symlinks. This issue was addressed with improved path sanitization.
CVE-2022-22585: Zhipeng Huo (@R3dF09) of Tencent Security Xuanwu Lab (https://xlab.tencent.com)
IOMobileFrameBuffer
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
Description: A memory corruption issue was addressed with improved input validation.
CVE-2022-22587: an anonymous researcher, Meysam Firouzi (@R00tkitSMM) of MBition – Mercedes-Benz Innovation Lab, Siddharth Aeri (@b1n4r1b01)
Kernel
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: A malicious application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
Description: A buffer overflow issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
CVE-2022-22593: Peter Nguyễn Vũ Hoàng of STAR Labs
Model I/O
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted STL file may lead to unexpected application termination or arbitrary code execution
Description: An information disclosure issue was addressed with improved state management.
CVE-2022-22579: Mickey Jin (@patch1t) of Trend Micro
WebKit
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: Processing a maliciously crafted mail message may lead to running arbitrary javascript
Description: A validation issue was addressed with improved input sanitization.
CVE-2022-22589: Heige of KnownSec 404 Team (knownsec.com) and Bo Qu of Palo Alto Networks (paloaltonetworks.com)
WebKit
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution
Description: A use after free issue was addressed with improved memory management.
CVE-2022-22590: Toan Pham from Team Orca of Sea Security (security.sea.com)
WebKit
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: Processing maliciously crafted web content may prevent Content Security Policy from being enforced
Description: A logic issue was addressed with improved state management.
CVE-2022-22592: Prakash (@1lastBr3ath)
WebKit Storage
Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
Impact: A website may be able to track sensitive user information
Description: A cross-origin issue in the IndexDB API was addressed with improved input validation.
CVE-2022-22594: Martin Bajanik of FingerprintJS
Additional recognition
WebKit
We would like to acknowledge Prakash (@1lastBr3ath) for their assistance.
