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Apple releases security notes for iOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4, macOS Ventura 13.3

iOS 16.4 has security fixes

Apple has revealed the security fixes in iOS 16.4 and the other new software updates that rectify potential security issues with the Apple Neural Engine, Gatekeeper and other system components.

The company released iOS 16.4 and others on Monday with new actions in Shortcuts, more emojis, push notifications for web apps, and more features. They also contain various patches for security vulnerabilities, and here are the most severe for iOS 16.4, watchOS 9.4, and macOS Ventura 13.3.

Security releases

Apple Neural Engine

  • Available for: iPhone 8 and later, iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 3rd generation and later, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 5th generation and later
  • Impact: An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
  • Description: An out-of-bounds write issue was addressed with improved bounds checking.
  • CVE-2023-27970: Mohamed GHANNAM

Find My

  • Available for: Apple Watch Series 4 and later
  • Impact: An app may be able to read sensitive location information
  • Description: A privacy issue was addressed with improved private data redaction for log entries.
  • CVE-2023-23537: an anonymous researcher

Archive Utility

  • Available for: macOS Ventura
  • Impact: An archive may be able to bypass Gatekeeper
  • Description: The issue was addressed with improved checks.
  • CVE-2023-27951: Brandon Dalton of Red Canary and Csaba Fitzl (@theevilbit) of Offensive Security

Apple also issued updates for older devices with security fixes. Apple recommends the older operating systems be patched immediately, as there is an actively exploited attack vector, that is fixed in the update.