Stop What You're Doing And Download iOS 15.3.1 Immediately
Apple has released iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 updates and users should upgrade their iPhone or iPad immediately to fix a serious WebKit security issue. The last major update released by Apple was iOS 15.3 which arrived on Jan. 25, 2022. It was the major first iOS update released in 2022 and contained several bug fixes.
The biggest security issue fixed in iOS 15.3 related to the Safari web browser's IndexedDB API, which allowed malicious websites and bad actors to access a user's browsing history. The bug also made it possible for bad actors to obtain users' Google accounts and other personal information related to the account. Needless to say, it was an important bug to fix.
iOS 15.3.1 is the latest update from Apple and was released on Feb. 10, 2022. While this is a minor upgrade over iOS 15.3 that doesn't contain any new features, it does fix a critical privacy bug that was present in WebKit, Apple's browser engine that powers Safari, the App Store, and other apps. Along with iOS 15.3.1, Apple has also released an iPadOS 15.3.1 update, which fixes the privacy bug for iPads. All iPhone and iPad users should immediately update their devices to the latest version.
The CVE-2022-22620 bug that iOS 15.3.1 fixes allows processing of maliciously crafted web content that could let malicious websites or hackers execute arbitrary code on devices such as iPhones and iPads. Additionally, the company also says that it is aware that the issue may have been actively exploited in the wild. Apart from the WebKit bug, Apple has also resolved an issue that could cause some Braille displays to stop working. The iOS 15.3.1 and iPadOS 15.3.1 updates are available to download by heading to Settings - General - Software Update on an iPhone and an iPad. If the update does not show up, users can try refreshing the page. Once the update is visible, it can be installed by clicking on 'Download and install.'
Devices that are eligible for the update include all iPhone models dating back to the iPhone 6s, as well as iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod Touch (7th generation). Those who have enabled auto-updates should have already received a notification to download iOS 15.3.1. Looking further ahead, Apple recently released the iOS 15.4 beta for developers which contains some exciting features, including the ability to use Face ID while wearing a mask, and Universal Control.
Source: Apple