New Apple Attack Warning—If You Own An Older iPhone, Update It Now

Forbes - Apr 4th, 2025

Apple has issued an urgent notification for users of older iPhones and iPads, urging them to update their devices to the latest software versions due to active security threats. The tech giant released updates for iOS 17, iOS 16, and iOS 15, addressing numerous security flaws, some of which are being exploited in real-world scenarios. Notable vulnerabilities include a CoreMedia issue that could allow privilege escalation and a WebKit flaw in Safari that could bypass content restrictions. These updates are crucial for older devices, as similar vulnerabilities in newer devices running iOS 18 have already been addressed earlier.

The context of these updates highlights the ongoing necessity of maintaining device security, especially given Apple's acknowledgment of sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals. The staggered release of fixes between newer and older devices underscores the security advantages of using updated hardware. While newer devices might not be accessible to all, Apple emphasizes the importance of keeping all devices updated to the latest available software to mitigate potential security risks. This proactive approach is vital for safeguarding user data and maintaining device integrity.

Apple Cybersecurity I Phone Security Vulnerabilities I Os Update Web Kit Software Patch Core Media

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a timely and relevant discussion on Apple's recent security updates for older devices, emphasizing the importance of updating to protect against vulnerabilities. It is mostly accurate, with detailed descriptions of specific vulnerabilities and affected devices. However, minor discrepancies in version numbers and release dates require further verification.

The article maintains a clear and logical structure, making it accessible to a general audience, though it could improve readability by simplifying technical jargon. While it effectively informs readers about the need for updates, the article could enhance its impact by exploring broader implications and ethical considerations of Apple's update strategy.

Overall, the article serves as a useful resource for Apple device users concerned about security, but it could benefit from greater transparency, source attribution, and exploration of alternative perspectives to provide a more comprehensive and engaging discussion.

Accuracy

The story presents a detailed account of Apple's recent software updates for older devices, focusing on security vulnerabilities and their fixes. It accurately identifies specific vulnerabilities, such as CVE-2025-24085, CVE-2025-24200, and CVE-2025-24201. These details align with known security issues documented by Apple, suggesting a high level of factual accuracy.

However, there are minor discrepancies in the version numbers and release dates, which could lead to confusion. For instance, the mention of iOS 18.4 does not align with Apple's typical versioning, as the latest known update is iOS 18.3. This discrepancy requires further verification to ensure the accuracy of the reported versions.

The article also correctly lists the affected devices and the nature of the vulnerabilities, such as the WebKit flaw and the CoreMedia issue. It cites Apple's awareness of these vulnerabilities being exploited in real-world attacks, which is consistent with Apple's own security advisories. Overall, the story is mostly accurate but requires careful attention to version details.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on Apple's security updates and the importance of updating devices to protect against vulnerabilities. It provides a clear perspective on the necessity of these updates, emphasizing user security and the risks of not updating.

However, the article lacks alternative viewpoints or discussion on potential drawbacks or criticisms of Apple's update strategy. For instance, it does not address the challenges users might face in upgrading to newer devices or the implications of Apple's prioritization of newer models for security updates.

The balance could be improved by including perspectives from cybersecurity experts or consumer rights advocates who could provide insights into the broader implications of Apple's update policies. While the article's focus on security is justified, a more nuanced discussion would offer a more comprehensive view.

Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, providing a logical flow of information regarding the security updates and vulnerabilities affecting Apple devices. It uses straightforward language to explain technical concepts, making it accessible to a general audience.

The structure of the article, which outlines the specific vulnerabilities, affected devices, and the importance of updating, helps readers easily follow the narrative and understand the urgency of the issue. However, some technical terms, such as CVE identifiers and specific version numbers, might be confusing to readers unfamiliar with cybersecurity terminology.

Overall, the article maintains clarity in its presentation, although a brief explanation of technical terms and concepts could further enhance understanding for non-technical readers.

Source quality

The article appears to rely heavily on information from Apple's official announcements and security advisories, which are credible sources for verifying the technical details of software updates and vulnerabilities.

However, the article does not explicitly cite these sources or provide direct links to Apple's support pages or other authoritative sources. This lack of direct attribution makes it difficult for readers to independently verify the claims made in the article.

Incorporating a wider variety of sources, such as expert commentary or analysis from cybersecurity firms, would enhance the credibility and depth of the article. Currently, the reliance on Apple's perspective without additional corroborative sources limits the evaluation of source quality.

Transparency

The article provides a transparent overview of the security vulnerabilities and the importance of updating devices. However, it lacks transparency in its sourcing, as it does not explicitly mention where the information was obtained or link to Apple's official documentation.

Additionally, the article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest or biases that might influence its perspective. For example, it does not mention whether the author or publication has any affiliations with Apple or its competitors.

Greater transparency could be achieved by explicitly citing sources, providing links to relevant Apple support pages, and disclosing any potential conflicts of interest. This would allow readers to better assess the reliability and impartiality of the information presented.