Apple usually bundles up a bunch of security fixes into a single release, targeting the most recent operating systems and then sometimes releasing the fix for older versions of the OS later—for those older devices that can’t run the latest OS.
Today is different. Apple has released iOS and iPadOS 18.6.2, macOS 15.6.1, macOS 14.7.8, macOS 13.7.8, and iPadOS 17.7.10 all at the same time. And they all fix only one critical security vulnerability: a problem in the ImageIO framework in which a malicious image file may result in memory corruption. Apple’s entries in its Security Releases page state that the company is aware of a report that the flaw has already been exploited “in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.”
For Apple to release an update for a single security issue on multiple operating system versions going back to macOS Ventura is highly unusual and speaks to the severity of this security flaw. In other words, no matter what your Apple device is, you should update now. Open Settings > General > Software Update and apply the latest patch.
Author: Jason Cross, Senior Editor, Macworld
Jason has written about technology for more than 25 years - first in the gaming press, then focusing on enthusiast PCs and general technology. He enjoys learning how complicated technology works and explaining it in a way anyone can understand.