IMPORTANT news for iPhone users

Apple has released iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 updates, fixing a dangerous zero-day vulnerability that allowed hackers to crack passwords and gain access to data on devices, reports The Verge.

The exploit allowed attackers to bypass USB Restricted Mode on locked iPhones and iPads, enabling them to extract data when having physical access to the device.

Apple noted that the attack was sophisticated and targeted specific users, but did not specify who might have been affected. The vulnerability was first discovered by researcher Bill Marczak from The Citizen Lab.

USB Restricted Mode was introduced in iOS 11.4.1 in 2018. The vulnerability affected devices starting from iPhone XS, as well as several iPad models: iPad Pro 12.9 (3rd generation), iPad Pro 11 (1st generation), iPad Air (3rd generation), iPad (7th generation), and iPad mini 5.

The iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 update is now available for all compatible devices.