Apple has issued iOS 16.1.1, an important update that it recommends is applied by all iPhone users.
According to Apple’s support page, iOS 16.1.1 fixes two security vulnerabilities in libxml2, tracked as CVE-2022-40303 and CVE-2022-40304—both of which could allow an attacker to execute code remotely. Neither of the issues fixed in iOS 16.1.1 have been used in real-life attacks.
There is little detail about the patches for iOS 16.1.1 because Apple keeps its cards close to its chest until people update to prevent cyber-criminals working out how to perform the attacks. The iPhone maker says it recommends the iOS 16.1.1 update “for all users,” so it’s a good idea to apply it as soon as you can.
Apple has issued iOS 16.1.1, an important security update that it recommends is applied by all ... [+]
Apple iOS 16.1.1—Don’t panic but update ASAP
However, there is no need to panic, says security consultant Daniel Card. “I’ve not seen evidence of exploitation of the issues fixed in iOS 16.1.1—but that doesn’t really mean much,” he says.
Card says the iOS 16.1.1 patches “should be applied ASAP in line with good practice, as part of routine and regular patching.”
The release of iOS 16.1.1 comes hot on the heels of iOS 16.1 and iOS 15.7.1 for people still on iOS 15—both of which fixed security vulnerabilities already being used in attacks. Apple is continuing to update its older operating system, but it has already confirmed users on iOS 15 won’t get the complete security upgrades of those on iOS 16.
It might seem that Apple is releasing updates every five minutes at the moment—iOS 16.1 was released just two weeks ago. However, the iPhone maker has been trying to keep up with iOS 16 bugs and security problems and it’s even made it easier for security researchers to report issues.
The iOS 16.1.1 upgrade also contains bug fixes that will hopefully end the Wi-Fi issues many people have been having.
The next iPhone update, iOS 16.2, is coming in December, so for now, you know what to do. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and apply iOS 16.1.1 now to keep your iPhone safe.
