New Delhi: Apple users in India have been hit with a major security alert. The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has flagged multiple vulnerabilities in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS, warning that these flaws could give attackers full access to user data or even crash devices entirely.
CERT-In, which functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has issued a high-severity warning to users of iPhones and iPads, urging them to update their devices immediately. The vulnerabilities affect a broad range of Apple models, including both older and newer devices.
Devices running iOS versions before 18.3 and iPads on versions earlier than 17.7.3 or 18.3 (depending on the model) are considered at risk. Impacted devices include iPhone XS and later models, along with iPad Pro (2nd generation onwards), iPad 6th generation and up, iPad Air from the 3rd generation, and iPad mini from the 5th generation.
One of the most serious issues is found in Apple’s Darwin notification system. “This vulnerability allows any application, even without special permissions, to send sensitive system-level notifications. If misused, this flaw could potentially crash the device, rendering it unresponsive until manually restored,” the advisory states.
CERT-In has warned that these vulnerabilities could let attackers bypass built-in security protections, steal personal and financial information, execute unauthorised commands, or lock users out of their own devices. Some of these flaws, the agency confirmed, are already being actively exploited.
To protect their devices, users have been advised to install the latest updates immediately. “All users are strongly advised to update their devices to the latest available version of iOS or iPadOS without delay,” the advisory said. It also cautions against installing unverified apps and recommends users watch for signs of unusual behaviour on their devices, which may signal an attack.
“With Apple’s growing user base in India, the alert highlights the rising need for digital caution. Regular updates and safe device habits are now more important than ever," the advisory added.
BI Bureau
