Upgrade, Stat! Here's Why You Need iOS 18.3.2 Now
Update Alert for iPhone Users: iOS 18.3.2 Warnings and Recommendations Provided
Apple has dropped a bombshell with the latest iOS update, and you should hop on it before it's too late. The tantalizing iOS 18.3.2 patch addresses a hair-raising security issue that has already been weaponized in real-life attacks.
Apple keeps it cryptic about the specifics of the update, but it's clear as day that they consider this single patch as urgent. After all, it's rare for Apple to roll out a patch solo and so soon after the previous iOS release.
The flaw in question lies within WebKit, the core engine that propels Safari. Maliciously engineered web content can potentially wiggle out of the Safety Zone, threatening your iPhone's sensitive data.
While this could sound like a scary ride courtesy of Mr. Cybercriminal, it's worth noting that the vulnerability addressed in iOS 18.3.2 has thus far been used in targeted attacks against select individuals. If you're not among journalists, dissidents, or businesses operating in specific sectors, you've got little to worry about.
Other Apple Updates Alongside iOS 18.3.2
Simultaneously, Apple has also released updates for macOS Sequoia, Safari, and visionOS. Interestingly, Apple hasn't pushed an update for iOS 17, raising a few eyebrows as the flaw affecting iOS 17.2 and prior versions is supposedly addressed here.
The seemingly absent iOS 17 update could indicate that Apple considers the issue as resolved in the previous version or that it has implemented a different strategy for older iOS iterations.
iOS 18.3.2: A Stealthy Move to Enable Apple Intelligence Again
A word of warning for the privacy-conscious: reports suggest that the update has sneakily re-enabled Apple Intelligence by default. While some users aren't too thrilled about this quiet maneuver, it's hardly surprising, given Apple's history of collecting data to improve their AI features.
However, as Jake Moore, ESET's global cybersecurity advisor puts it, it's Apple's prerogative to enable features as they see fit. He suggests users to double-check their device settings following the update, just in case.
The Flaw Beyond Apple: Google Chrome and More
It's not just Apple grappling with this vulnerability; Google has released an update for Chrome on Mac, Windows, and Linux addressing the same issue. Various Chromium-based browsers and applications are likewise aligning with the update.
Google provided a few intriguing details in their release notes, rating the flaw, CVE-2025-24201, as an Out of Bounds Write in GPU on Mac, posing a high impact.
In a nutshell, the flaw was reported to Google by Apple's Security Engineering and Architecture (SEAR) team earlier this March. Google acknowledges the existence of exploits for CVE-2025-24201 in the wild.
Patching Delays: A Conscious Strategy by Apple?
Joshua Long, Intego's chief security analyst, finds it intriguing that Apple took over a year to patch the flaw in 2025, when it first emerged in 2023. Moreover, Apple updated iOS 17.2 back in Dec 2023, making it seem like they discovered and patched the flaw well over a year after it was initially exploited.
Long speculates that Apple may have been tirelessly reverse-engineering past nation-state level attack chains in an attempt to strengthen their operating systems against similar attacks.
No watchOS or tvOS updates have been released at present, leaving questions about whether CVE-2025-24201 could be exploitable on these platforms.
The Need For Updating Now
While the flaw's original use was in targeted attacks, it's only a ticking time bomb until other cybercriminals jump on board. To secure your iPhone, updating to iOS 18.3.2 should be a top priority.
Adam Boynton, senior security strategy manager EMEIA at Jamf, asserts that all iOS users should promptly update to iOS 18.3.2, given that the patch tackles a flaw actively exploited by hackers.
Avoiding updates could leave your iPhone vulnerable to attacks, as web content maliciously crafted to escape the iOS Web Content sandbox could potentially access data from elsewhere in the operating system. So, ditch the procrastination and upgrade now!
Sylvain Cortes, VP strategy at Hackuity, echoes Boynton's sentiment. Users of older iOS versions, particularly those released before iOS 17.2, should prioritize the update to maintain the security and privacy of their data. In other words, don't wait - update!
iOS 18.3.2 and iPadOS 18.3.2 are compatible with the iPhone XS and later, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch 3rd generation and later, iPad Pro 11-inch 1st generation and later, iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 7th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later.
So, what are you waiting for? Head to Settings > General > Software Update, and get your update game on!
- The iOS 18.3.2 update is crucial due to a critical security issue that has been exploited in targeted attacks. Apple is emphasizing this update, which addresses a vulnerability within WebKit, the core engine that powers Safari.
- Not just iOS is affected; Google has also released a patch for Chrome on Mac, Windows, and Linux addressing the same issue. Other Chromium-based browsers and applications are also following suit.
- Apple's history of prioritizing data collection for AI features might be a point of concern for privacy-conscious users, as the latest update re-enables Apple Intelligence by default. It is advised to double-check device settings following the update.
