iOS 17.3 Security Update

What iOS 17.3 Fixes

iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3, released January 22, 2024, fixes 20 vulnerabilities in 14 parts of the system, according to Apple's security advisory.

Apple says one of these flaws — CVE-2024-23222 — may already have been exploited. That makes iOS 17.3 an update to install now rather than at the weekend.

It has since been superseded: the newest security release for iOS 17 is iOS 17.7.2 and iPadOS 17.7.2, from November 19, 2024, which includes these fixes.

Grouped by us from the impact Apple gives for each fix; the impact lines below are Apple's own.

Exploited Before the Fix

Apple flags a fix as possibly exploited when it has a credible report that the flaw was used against real people before the patch. This one is the reason to update today.

• WebKit Exploited

  Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited.

  A type confusion issue was addressed with improved checks.

  CVE-2024-23222

Which Devices Get iOS 17.3

Apple lists iOS 17.3 and iPadOS 17.3 for: iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 2nd generation and later, iPad Pro 10.5-inch, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 6th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.

How to Install iOS 17.3

On the iPhone, open Settings → General → Software Update. If more than one update is offered, the one with the higher version number is the current release; the other is for people who want to stay on the previous major version.

Security fixes are cumulative: any later release for the same version includes these as well, so if you are already past iOS 17.3 there is nothing to do.

Every Fix in iOS 17.3

The rest of Apple's advisory — every fix not already listed above, the most serious kinds first. Each entry is the part of the system affected, Apple's description of the impact and the fix, and the CVE ID.

• Apple Neural Engine

  An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

  The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2024-23212

• Kernel

  An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

  The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2024-23208

• WebKit

  Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

  The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2024-23213

• WebKit

  Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution

  Multiple memory corruption issues were addressed with improved memory handling.

  CVE-2024-23214

• CoreCrypto

  An attacker may be able to decrypt legacy RSA PKCS#1 v1.5 ciphertexts without having the private key

  A timing side-channel issue was addressed with improvements to constant-time computation in cryptographic functions.

  CVE-2024-23218

• Mail Search

  An app may be able to access sensitive user data

  This issue was addressed with improved redaction of sensitive information.

  CVE-2024-23207

• NSSpellChecker

  An app may be able to access sensitive user data

  A privacy issue was addressed with improved handling of files.

  CVE-2024-23223

• Safari

  A user's private browsing activity may be visible in Settings

  A privacy issue was addressed with improved handling of user preferences.

  CVE-2024-23211

• Shortcuts

  A shortcut may be able to use sensitive data with certain actions without prompting the user

  The issue was addressed with additional permissions checks.

  CVE-2024-23203 CVE-2024-23204

• Shortcuts

  An app may be able to bypass certain Privacy preferences

  A privacy issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files.

  CVE-2024-23217

• TCC

  An app may be able to access user-sensitive data

  An issue was addressed with improved handling of temporary files.

  CVE-2024-23215

• WebKit

  A malicious website may cause unexpected cross-origin behavior

  A logic issue was addressed with improved checks.

  CVE-2024-23271

• libxpc

  An app may be able to cause a denial-of-service

  A permissions issue was addressed with additional restrictions.

  CVE-2024-23201

• Power Manager

  An app may be able to corrupt coprocessor memory

  The issue was addressed with improved checks.

  CVE-2024-27791

• Notes

  Locked Notes content may have been unexpectedly unlocked

  This issue was addressed through improved state management.

  CVE-2024-23228

• Reset Services

  Stolen Device Protection may be unexpectedly disabled

  The issue was addressed with improved authentication.

  CVE-2024-23219

• Time Zone

  An app may be able to view a user's phone number in system logs

  This issue was addressed with improved redaction of sensitive information.

  CVE-2024-23210

• WebKit

  A maliciously crafted webpage may be able to fingerprint the user

  An access issue was addressed with improved access restrictions.

  CVE-2024-23206

iOS 17 Security Release History

iOS 17.3 in context: the security releases Apple has published for iOS 17, newest first, with the number of fixes each carried.

The Same Fixes Elsewhere

Apple ships most fixes to every platform that shares the code, and to older versions still under support. These releases close at least one of the same CVEs:

Frequently Asked Questions