Apple Passwords App Bug Left Users Vulnerable to Phishing Attacks for Months Before Being Fixed - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Passwords App Bug Left Users Vulnerable to Phishing Attacks for Months Before Being Fixed

Apple fixed a bug in its Passwords app with December's iOS 18.2 update that had left users vulnerable to phishing attacks in the three months since the launch of iOS 18.

Generic iOS 18 Passwords Feature
According to an Apple security update spotted by 9to5Mac, the Passwords app was sending unencrypted requests for the logos and icons associated with users' stored passwords.

Without protections of encryption, an attacker on the same Wi-Fi network could redirect a user's browser to a clone phishing site where login details could be stolen. The vulnerability was first discovered by developer Mysk's security researchers and reported in September.

Apple's iOS 18.2 security release notes described the bug like so:

Impact: A user in a privileged network position may be able to leak sensitive information

Description: This issue was addressed by using HTTPS when sending information over the network.


Apple lists the bug in security content updates for the Mac, iPad, and Vision Pro, indicating that this issue was fixed across multiple OSes.

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

13 months ago
This bug is so basic that Apple must be embarrassed, as they should have some of their people verify security when they make their first passwords app, which is going to be used by millions 🫢
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wanha Avatar
13 months ago

If this… and if that… and only if this…. There might be an opportunity to do something.

But it’s fixed now.

When someone comes up who has actually been affected then I’ll join the whingers and complain.

It’s like saying a driver could drive through a red light and cause an accident. But it didn’t happen!!! And until it does.
Did you just say that you'll only complain about people driving through red lights once they cause an accident?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
13 months ago
Privacy and Security 🤭
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrRom92 Avatar
13 months ago
And through all the betas of iOS 18 nobody caught this
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
code-m Avatar
13 months ago

This bug is so basic, that Apple must be embarrassed as they should have some of their people verify security when the make their first passwords app, that is going to be used by millions 🫢
Needs to be on the local wifi network, if you are using public wifi even at school or work the potential of being compromised would be there. If only at home no biggy unless your neighbours are creeps.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Pitogyro Avatar
13 months ago
There's only so many rescources they have and there was genmoji to launch.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)