iOS 17.7 Update Warning for All iPhone Users

Apple has released iOS 17.7 along with a warning to update your iPhone. Because iOS 17.7 includes a long list of 16 important security patches for all iPhone users.

Apple isn’t sharing much information about what’s fixed in iOS 17.7, to give people time to update and to prevent attackers from gaining access to the details. The iOS 17.7 update “provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users,” Apple says.

Apple’s iOS 17.7 update was released alongside iOS 18, including many of the same security fixes. The iOS 17.7 update is for iPhone users who want to wait before updating to the latest Apple software.

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What’s fixed in iOS 17.7?

Among the flaws fixed in iOS 17.7 are two in the kernel, the heart of the iOS operating system, Apple wrote on its support page. The first, designated CVE-2024-44165, could cause network traffic to leak outside the VPN tunnel. The second, CVE-2024-4419, could allow an app to gain unauthorized access to Bluetooth.

The iOS 17.7 update also fixes two issues in Shortcuts that could have led to data disclosure. A flaw in Mail Accounts identified as CVE-2024-40791 could allow the app to access a user’s contact information.

Meanwhile, an accessibility issue, CVE-2024-44171, could allow an attacker with physical access to a locked device to control nearby devices via accessibility features.

Most of the vulnerabilities fixed in iOS 17.7 appear to affect accessibility or privacy, says Sean Wright, head of app security at Featurespace. So, he says, they don’t have much value to attackers.

Still, security updates are important, especially if you use your iPhone for work and losing accessibility would be a concern. With that in mind, it advises iPhone users to “update to the latest version of iOS 17 or upgrade to iOS 18.”

Apple’s iOS 17.7 update is available for iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd generation) and later, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 6th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

Update now to iOS 17.7 — or iOS 18

None of the issues patched in iOS 17.7 have been exploited in real-world attacks yet. But it’s a long list of fixes that could affect the functionality of your iPhone and its data, so it’s important to update as soon as possible.

Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can update to iOS 18 now. I’ll also be covering iOS 18 in more detail, so check out my Forbes.com page.

So what are you waiting for? Go to Settings > General > Software Update and update to iOS 17.7 or iOS 18 now.