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PSA: Make Sure to Update Older Devices to iOS 15.7.4 to Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability

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Alongside the iOS 16.4 and iPadOS 16.4 updates, Apple today released iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4, which is available to those using older devices that are not able to be upgraded to the latest software. It is important for those with an older iPhone or iPad to download the software as soon as possible, because it includes important security fixes.

iphone-7-refurb-sale-311.jpg

According to Apple's release notes for the security update, it addresses a long list of vulnerabilities, including a WebKit vulnerability that was known to be actively exploited. From Apple's security support document:
Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited.
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Note that those running iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 do not need to worry about this exploit as it was previously fixed in iOS 16.3.1. The update also fixes other WebKit vulnerabilities that were not actively exploited, plus it fixes security issues with Calendar, Camera, Find My, and more.

iOS 15.7.4 and iPadOS 15.7.4 are available for all iPhone 6s models, all iPhone 7 models, the first-generation iPhone SE, the iPad Air 2, the fourth-generation iPad mini, and the seventh-generation iPod touch.

Article Link: PSA: Make Sure to Update Older Devices to iOS 15.7.4 to Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerability
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2023/03/27/ios-15-7-4-security-update/
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Hopefully, these patches will continue for some time.

iPad A9 gets iPadOS 16. But iPhone 6s and 7 with A9/A10 don't get iOS 16.
 
Sir_Macs_A_Lot said:
6s that is. (I wish my 6 Plus could still get updates. Then I could have used it as my app development phone instead of tossing it in junk drawer.)
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I have a 6 not a 6S. I think when I upgrade my main phone, most likely this year, I will make my current 11 my work phone and use the 6 as a music devise. Although now that I have my watch that 6 is going to get even less use than I anticipated.
 
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TheYayAreaLiving 🎗 said:
It's astonishing Apple continues to support old devices as far back as the iPhone 6s. The iPhone 6s was released in 2015. 🫨

P.S. I couldn't resist. I used a new stuttering emoji. Can you guys see it? The new emojis are getting to us today. Yes, I'm part of the problem.
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Apple's software support for older hardware is one of the reasons I will continue to stick with Apple.

I can't see the new emoji. I guess MacRumors needs to update the site. 😢
 
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rocketbuc said:
Is it possible to update to 15.7.4 if your device (in my case 13 mini) is capable of running iOS 16? Any way to achieve that?
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Seemingly no. There was a small window where you could get 15.7.2 I believe on certain iPhones using a loophole with different IPSWs, but nothing above that from what I could tell.
 
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rocketbuc said:
Is it possible to update to 15.7.4 if your device (in my case 13 mini) is capable of running iOS 16? Any way to achieve that?
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Not that I can see.

I have an iPhone on iOS 15.7.3 that cannot run iOS 16 so Apple made iOS 15.7.4 update available for it. I have another device on iOS 15.7.1 that can run iOS 16, but there's no option to install iOS 15.7.4 (just like there wasn't an option to install iOS 15.7.2 or iOS 15.7.3), just iOS 16.4

Lame that Apple keeps trying to get me to run buggy iOS 16.
 
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Lwii2boo said:
iPad A9 has 2GB RAM too right ? Does Apple provide us with an explanation to justify this ?
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I suspect that Apple isn't deciding what devices will continue to get iOS updates based on whether the specs can handle the update any more. It's really just about how old the device is. The 6s and 5th gen iPad both have A9 with 2GB of RAM, but the 6s was released in 2015 and the iPad 5 was released in 2017. Going forward they probably just drop support for devices based on their age. I also think they will drop a couple generations of products every other year, that way they only continue to make security updates for every other version of iOS after it has been replaced.
 
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My iPad is on 15.7.2 and only shows the option to install 16.4 which I am definitely not doing due to the TV app. I wonder why it's not showing me the other option.
 
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sw1tcher said:
Not that I can see.

I have an iPhone on iOS 15.7.3 that cannot run iOS 16 so Apple made iOS 15.7.4 update available for it. I have another device on iOS 15.7.1 that can run iOS 16, but there's no option to install iOS 15.7.4 (just like there wasn't an option to install iOS 15.7.2 or iOS 15.7.3), just iOS 16.4

Lame that Apple keeps trying to get me to run buggy iOS 16.
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Technically, there was a convoluted way to get iOS 15.7.2 on iOS 16-supported devices, but that's it. Annoying, since if they're going to go through the trouble of making these iOS 15 patches, I would like to run them on my 13 mini.
 
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