PSA: Safari Security Flaw 'Actively Exploited,' Update Your Apple Devices Now - MacRumors
Skip to Content

PSA: Safari Security Flaw 'Actively Exploited,' Update Your Apple Devices Now

This week, Apple released critical software updates for Safari which fix a security flaw that exists in the browser across iPhone, iPad, and Mac platforms. Here's what you need to know.

safari icon blue banner
Specifically, the platform-wide fix is for a vulnerability in Safari's WebKit engine that Apple believes may have been "actively exploited" in the wild by hackers.

The flaw, according to Apple, could allow bad actors to "process maliciously crafted web content" that may lead to "arbitrary code execution."

An additional fix that exists in the latest update for macOS Monterey, 12.5.1, relates to a vulnerability that may allow an application to "execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges."

In other words, it could allow hackers to access the deepest layer of the operating system and take complete control of the affected device. Apple says it is aware of a report that this issue may also have been actively exploited.

If you haven't updated already, it's important to do so at the earliest opportunity. The latest critical updates are as follows:

To update your iPhone or iPad, head to Settings -> General -> Software Update. To update your Mac, open System Preferences and select the Software Update preference pane.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.4 Adds Two New Features to CarPlay

Tuesday March 24, 2026 1:55 pm PDT by
iOS 26.4 was released today, and it includes a couple of new features for CarPlay: an Ambient Music widget and support for voice-based chatbot apps. To update your iPhone 11 or newer to iOS 26.4, open the Settings app and tap on General → Software Update. CarPlay will automatically offer the new features so long as the iPhone connected to your vehicle is running iOS 26.4 or later....
Apple Business hero

Apple Unveils 'Apple Business' All-in-One Platform

Tuesday March 24, 2026 8:53 am PDT by
Apple today announced Apple Business, a new all-in-one platform that unifies device management, productivity tools, and customer outreach features. The service is designed to be a consolidated replacement for several of Apple's existing business-focused offerings, including Apple Business Essentials, Apple Business Manager, and Apple Business Connect. It provides organizations with a single...
AirPods Pro Firmware Feature

Apple Releases New Firmware for AirPods Pro 3, AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4

Tuesday March 24, 2026 12:31 pm PDT by
Apple today released new firmware for the AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and the AirPods 4. The firmware has a version number of 8B39, up from 8B34 on the AirPods Pro 3, 8B28 on the AirPods Pro 2, and 8B21 on the AirPods 4. There is no word on what's included in the firmware, but Apple has a support document with limited notes. Most updates are limited to bug fixes and performance...

Top Rated Comments

RedDeliciousPinkLady Avatar
47 months ago
And if our devices are so old that they can't reach those OS versions, we're supposed to just not use them anymore, right? It sounds like a sarcastic question, but is that actually, in the grand scheme of security, what we're supposed to be doing?
Score: 44 Votes (Like | Disagree)
47 months ago
Why does Safari always have to be updated with iOS update? Can't they just patch flaws independently?
Score: 40 Votes (Like | Disagree)
47 months ago
The flaw, according to Apple, could allow bad actors to "process maliciously crafted web content" that may lead to "arbitrary code execution."

This man has been brought in for questioning:


Attachment Image
Score: 30 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jclardy Avatar
47 months ago
If only Safari was an actual app store app and could allow updates outside of the core OS...
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
47 months ago
Uhh is this fixed in the iOS/iPadOS/macOS 16 betas??
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Spaceboi Scaphandre Avatar
47 months ago

If only Safari was an actual app store app and could allow updates outside of the core OS...
Or if only iOS/iPadOS allowed other web browser engines besides WebKit so FireFox and Chrome wouldn't behave like Safari reskins.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)