Apple to Issue Rare iOS 18 Software Update for DarkSword Exploit

[spartan1967]

+1 for Apple.👍

 

[abcmax]

Has there been any word on updates to iPadOS 17 for devices that didn't get iPadOS 18? My iPad Pro 10.5 is stuck on 17, but haven't had an update in a while, I assume it's vulnerable to DarkSword.

Newest iOS 17 is not affected.

iOS 26 before 26.3 could be affected.

iOS 18.4 to 18.7.2 are vulnerable to DarkSword.

iOS 13 to 17.2.1 are vulnerable to Coruna exploit (newest iOS 15.8.7 and 16.7.15 are safe)

Source: https://au.pcmag.com/security/11662...-darksword-hack-targets-older-ios-18-versions

 

[B4U]

Absolutely. And they do it every year to force updates. They will say it is because they want developers to adopt their new APIs and have a cohesive look and all that, but it also benefits them by slowing down older devices and encourages upgrades. They are not unaware of this, but they probably coach their team on how to speak to this in email and interviews very carefully to avoid anything coming up in antitrust discovery. The only thing different this year is a security hole the size of Texas in Webkit created too much bad press, and Apple will always react to bad press over anything else.

Apple absolutely do these deliberately.
Staring at my iPhone 17 Pro warning me that I have to get WatchOS 26 on my original Ultra 2 after getting iOS 26.4.
My phone simply refuses to work with my Ultra 2 on WatchOS 11.6.1.
The workout app UI on WatchOS 26 is so ridiculously bad.

 

[Shirasaki]

Wow, that’s unexpected at this point. Kudos if they actually do this. And I feel for those who gave up and already downgraded to iOS 26.

In fact, iOS 26 downgraded my m1 iPad Pro so much that I’m compelled to upgrade after using it for 5 years. I just don’t have the money yet, but slowing down iPad is real.

 

[Shirasaki]

I believe that most people with iOS 18 have auto updates turned off.

Thanks MacRumors for posting the info.

I have it turned off, but upgraded anyway due to irregular bank transactions and fear of losing more money, only for Apple to graciously release the update to all iOS 18 users. Now my m1 iPad Pro is half brick now.

 

[MysteriousStain]

Great! Now allow us to use full versions of other browsers on the phone so we aren't chained to webkit.

 

[Biro]

Not seeing anything available yet at 10:30am ET on April 1st. I hope this is not an April Fool’s prank. I expect it around 1pm ET. But my wife’s iPhone 14 is on 18.7.3. Maybe she doesn’t need it? Hard to tell from the pieces written on the subject.

 

[qacjared]

Newest iOS 17 is not affected.

iOS 26 before 26.3 could be affected.

iOS 18.4 to 18.7.2 are vulnerable to DarkSword.

iOS 13 to 17.2.1 are vulnerable to Coruna exploit (newest iOS 15.8.7 and 16.7.15 are safe)

Source: https://au.pcmag.com/security/11662...-darksword-hack-targets-older-ios-18-versions

They did make 18.7.3 available for all devices for a hot minute. I wonder if they will just let iOS eligible devices go to 18.7.3 but not 18.7.4-18.7.7.

I say that because 18.7.4 has the post January 2027 iMessage/Facetime certificate fix. It would be peak upgrade push to release 18.7.3 with DarkSword fixes but leave those devices without future iMessage/Facetime access.

I hope it's 18.7.7, otherwise it is still very much a rug pull.

 

[I7guy]

Are you f***ing kidding me?!
Not 6 hours ago, I updated to f***ing Liquid Ass, because of these exploits.

I HATE Apple so much right now.

Turn that rage into an android device. 🙂

 

[JosephAW]

Apple and Microsoft got together one day for a drink and Microsoft said watch how angry we can get our install base by forcing users to sign in and use the cloud and eventually a subscription based operating system, Apple said to Microsoft hold my beer…

 

[TokyoKiller]

Is this apple admitting that LG is a mess

No it is probably because there are a lot of Enterprise devices out there that still need to be on iOS18 for due many other systems possibly not yet being updated to support iOS26 so this is the way to keep those devices safe and secure until they can move up.

 

[Eithanius]

Turn that rage into an android device. 🙂

I might consider getting a spare Android to access my 3 lost apps...

 

[I7guy]

[…]
The workout app UI on WatchOS 26 is so ridiculously bad.

why I like the workout app?

 

[Plutonius]

I don't see the iOS 18 update yet.

Could this be Apple's way of tricking people into updating to iOS 26 by getting them to hit the update button ?

 

[WilliApple]

Imagine if Apple says "april fools guys, if you want to be protected update to iOS 26"

 

[bigandtasty]

Has anyone actually been able to do the update? I’m stuck on ios 18.6.2 and only option possible is to go to 26.4, no thanks.

same here. Hold steady, don't give in to OS26!

 

[bigandtasty]

They did make 18.7.3 available for all devices for a hot minute. I wonder if they will just let iOS eligible devices go to 18.7.3 but not 18.7.4-18.7.7.

I say that because 18.7.4 has the post January 2027 iMessage/Facetime certificate fix. It would be peak upgrade push to release 18.7.3 with DarkSword fixes but leave those devices without future iMessage/Facetime access.

I hope it's 18.7.7, otherwise it is still very much a rug pull.

Sure hope this is the case and they do release the 18.7.7 update. I wasn't able to swoop the 18.7.3 update when it was available for that hot minute and as a result am on 18.6.2 where I am vulnerable to the PorkSword exploit.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Hoping a 13 Mini user will report it when this is available.
In the meantime, I'm keeping mine silo'd off with my "can't be updated Profile".

🙏

 

[UliBaer]

Just everyone be very cautious which button to click and read the package insert carefully - not to be tricked to 26!
Maybe you'll also have to very cautiously scroll way, way, waaaayyy down further to finally find the right button.

 

[B4U]

why I like the workout app?

One major example: the start workout button.
Up until 26.4, that was only a tiny button when comparing to 11.6.1 where I can just tap a much larger area.
Additionally, the list of workouts are hidden unless we turn the dial which is not intuitive at all. It was more visible in 11.6.1.

 

[Eithanius]

This looks more and more like an April Fool’s joke…. 😛

 

[turbineseaplane]

Just everyone be very cautious which button to click and read the package insert carefully - not to be tricked to 26!
Maybe you'll also have to very cautiously scroll way, way, waaaayyy down further to finally find the right button.

Don't fall for the "TrickSix"!

 

[micahtechdev]

My brother is running iOS 18 still, I’ll check with him but it looks like this is an April fools joke. 😛📱

Update: just checked with my brother, it does not show for his iPhone 13 mini, it only shows iOS 26.4 update.

It’s not out yet, and Apple would not do April fools for a security update

 

[micahtechdev]

It would be so cool if they released this update as an ipsw instead of just an ota, so people who have had issues with 26 can go back. I upgraded to 26 awhile back because I really thought they were strict on not giving out security updates unless you upgrade to 26.

Make the right choice Apple
It’s hero time.

 

[hans1972]

They are now officially admitting that they could have provided updates for previous OSes all along. But deliberately CHOSE not to.

This were never in doubt. Apple can pretty much do what they want with their operating systems.