Apple releases iOS 12.5.6 for older iPhones

AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iOS edited August 2022
iOS 12.5.6 has been released with security updates and bug fixes for devices unable to update to iOS 15.

iOS 12.5.6 focuses on bug fixes and improvements for older devices
iOS 12.5.6 focuses on bug fixes and improvements for older devices


This is the first update to iOS 12 since September 2021, when Apple patched an issue that enabled maliciously crafted PDFs, web content, and apps to execute code. The latest update addresses an exploit that has been patched in iOS 15 since the last update.

Apple provides periodic updates to older iPhones, iPads, and iPods that are not able to update past iOS 12. These updates do not provide any significant feature change or user-facing UI, but provide protection against known exploits that older devices may be vulnerable to.

Apple's security update website states the following:

CVE-2022-32893 filed by an anonymous researcher.

Update available for: iPhone 5s, iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, and iPod touch (6th generation)

Impact: 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.

Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.

The reported vulnerability patched in the update was one of two critical security issues patched in iOS 15.6.1. The second vulnerability, CVE-2022-32894, does not affect iOS 12.

The build number for iOS 12.5.6 is 16H71, up from 16H62.

Owners of the iPhone 6 or earlier will be alerted that an update is available. Navigate to the Settings app, General, then select Software Update to install iOS 12.5.6.

Read on AppleInsider

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 4
    libertyforalllibertyforall Posts: 1,418member
    How about iOS 9, like for original iPad Mini?
    watto_cobra
  • Reply 2 of 4
    entropysentropys Posts: 4,166member
    A bloke at work handed in their iPhone 5 yesterday in exchange for an iPhone 13 mini. Let’s just say he isn’t a heavy phone users.
    edited August 2022 watto_cobra
  • Reply 3 of 4
    mpantonempantone Posts: 2,040member
    How about iOS 9, like for original iPad Mini?
    I don't see any mention of it in the article so I guess not. I didn't see any other AppleInsider headlines about the topic either.

    Apple has a pretty good idea of how many older devices are still in service. The iPad mini (1st generation) last received iOS 9.3.6 in 2019. With each passing month, it is increasingly less likely that it will get another update as fewer devices are actively being used.

    Perhaps it's their way to get customers to buy new hardware. After all, they don't make any revenue from their operating systems anymore.

    If you want a better answer why there's no iOS 9.3.7, ask Apple.
    edited August 2022 watto_cobra
  • Reply 4 of 4
    Wesley HilliardWesley Hilliard Posts: 190member, administrator, moderator, editor
    libertyforall said:
    How about iOS 9, like for original iPad Mini?
    Wouldn't you say 7 years of software support for a device released in 2012 is more than enough? I'd hate to imagine even trying to turn one of those things on, let alone run iOS 9 today.

    Can't be worth the effort.
    watto_cobra
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