The main topic of the article is the importance of keeping devices updated with the latest security patches.
Key points:
1. Many devices stop receiving security updates, leaving them vulnerable to exploits.
2. Options for continuing to use unsupported devices include installing custom ROMs or being extremely cautious.
3. The best solution is to buy a new phone that is supported by regular security updates.
August has seen a flurry of patches released by technology giants like Microsoft, Google Chrome, and Firefox to fix serious vulnerabilities. These patches are crucial as some of the flaws are already being exploited in attacks. While there was no iPhone update from Apple, major fixes were released for enterprise software, including Ivanti, SAP, and Cisco. Microsoft's Patch Tuesday fixed numerous vulnerabilities, including ones being actively targeted. Google Chrome also issued updates, addressing high impact flaws in V8 and WebRTC. Firefox patched various vulnerabilities, some of which could lead to arbitrary code execution. Lastly, Google patched several critical vulnerabilities in its Android operating system, including RCE issues in System and Media Framework.
Apple has released emergency security updates to fix two new zero-day vulnerabilities that were exploited in attacks targeting iPhone and Mac users, bringing the total number of exploited zero-days patched this year to 13.
Apple released updates for macOS 13.5.2, iOS 16.6.1, iPadOS 16.6.1, and watchOS 9.6.2, addressing security vulnerabilities that could be exploited by hackers, urging all users to install the updates as soon as possible.
Two zero-day vulnerabilities, CVE-2023-41064 and CVE-2023-41061, were exploited by NSO Group's Pegasus spyware to infect fully-patched iPhones running iOS 16.6 via PassKit attachments containing malicious images, prompting Citizen Lab to urge Apple users to update their devices and activate Lockdown Mode.
Apple devices are vulnerable to a zero-click, zero-day vulnerability that allows the delivery of Pegasus spyware, even on the latest iOS version, with the exploit being referred to as BLASTPASS by researchers at Citizen Lab who collaborated with Apple on addressing the issue.
Apple has released iOS 16.6.1, an emergency update for iPhones, to fix two serious flaws that have been actively exploited by attackers to deliver spyware without user interaction.
Apple has urged iPhone users to update their operating systems due to a new security breach exploited by Israeli NSO's Pegasus spyware, causing concerns in Israel over potential backlash from the US.
The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has ordered federal agencies to patch security vulnerabilities used in a zero-click iMessage exploit chain that infected iPhones with NSO Group's Pegasus spyware.
Summary: Microsoft's September 2023 Patch Tuesday includes security updates for 59 flaws, featuring two actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.
Samsung has released a new security patch for its Galaxy devices in September 2023, addressing critical and high-security vulnerabilities.
Apple has released iOS 17.0.1 with three important security patches, addressing actively exploited vulnerabilities, including a kernel flaw, a signature validation bypass issue, and a WebKit vulnerability allowing arbitrary code execution.
Apple has released emergency security updates to fix three new zero-day vulnerabilities that were exploited to target iPhone and Mac users, bringing the total number of zero-days fixed this year to 16. The vulnerabilities allowed attackers to bypass signature validation, execute arbitrary code, and escalate privileges. The impacted devices include iPhone 8 and later, iPad mini 5th generation and later, Macs running macOS Monterey and newer, and Apple Watch Series 4 and later. The zero-days were discovered and reported by security researchers at Citizen Lab and Google's Threat Analysis Group.
The incomplete information provided by Apple and Google regarding critical zero-day vulnerabilities in their products has caused a blindspot, leaving numerous offerings from other developers unpatched.
Users of Apple's iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Mac are being warned to update their devices immediately due to active and sophisticated spyware attacks targeting high-profile individuals, with the security update addressing three critical vulnerabilities.
Apple has released a new security update for iPhones, iPads, and other devices to protect against three vulnerabilities, following a previous update released earlier this month.
Apple has released a software update to address concerns about the iPhone 12 exceeding legal radiation exposure limits in France, potentially avoiding a ban on the device.
Google has released an emergency patch for a zero-day vulnerability in Chrome that was exploited by a commercial spyware vendor, and the vulnerability has been linked to the zero-click iMessage exploit chain used to deploy the NSO Group's Pegasus spyware on compromised iPhones.
Microsoft has released patches to address zero-day vulnerabilities in open source libraries that affect its products, such as Skype and Edge browser, but the company has not confirmed if these vulnerabilities were exploited or if they were aware of any exploitation.
Apple has released an emergency patch to address a serious security flaw that may have already been exploited by attackers, marking the 16th documented zero-day exploit against Apple's iOS, iPadOS, and macOS-powered devices.
Samsung is rolling out its October security patch to address vulnerabilities in One UI, with a focus on backend fixes and addressing critical vulnerabilities and Android weaknesses, and the update is being released for various Galaxy devices including the Galaxy S series, Galaxy Z Fold/Flip series, and Galaxy A/M/F series.
Apple plans to release a software update for the iPhone 12 in France to comply with radiation testing requirements and address concerns raised by regulators about excessive radiation levels emitted by the device when in contact with static surfaces.
Apple has released security updates for older iPhones and iPads to address two zero-day vulnerabilities that were exploited in attacks, including privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution flaws.
Cisco has disclosed two zero-day vulnerabilities (CVE-2023-20198 and CVE-2023-20273) that are being actively exploited by hackers to compromise and gain control over IOS XE devices, with over 40,000 devices already compromised, but the company has found a fix and plans to release it on October 22.
