Make Sure to Update: iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 Fix Two Major Security Vulnerabilities - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
Skip to Content

Make Sure to Update: iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 Fix Two Major Security Vulnerabilities

iPhone and iPad owners may want to update to iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 in the near future, as the updates address two security vulnerabilities that may have been exploited to gain access to user devices.

bug security vulnerability issue fix larry
In the security support document for the updates, Apple says that it "is aware of a report" that RTKit and kernel vulnerabilities may have been exploited by bad actors.

Impact: An attacker with arbitrary kernel read and write capability may be able to bypass kernel memory protections. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited.

Apple fixed the memory corruption issue with improved validation to patch the security hole.

iOS 17.4 and iPadOS 17.4 also address an Accessibility vulnerability and an issue with Safari Private Browsing that could allow locked tabs to be briefly visible while switching tab groups.

The software updates were released this morning and are available on eligible iPhones and iPads by going to Settings > General > Software Update.

Related Forums: iOS 17, iPadOS 17

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
deep black iphone 18 pro

Apple Says iPhone 18 Pro Max Sold in U.S. Differs in One Way

Saturday September 12, 2026 3:27 pm PDT by
As noted by Nicolas Lellouche, who writes for the French tech website Numerama, Apple has updated its tech specs pages for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max to clarify which models are equipped with its new C2 cellular modem and where. Apple now says the iPhone 18 Pro has a C2 modem worldwide, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max uses the chip in every country except for the U.S. According...

Top Rated Comments

zorinlynx Avatar
33 months ago

Got to say, just updated my iPhone 15 Pro Max and web pages seem to be loading faster & scrolling is insanely smooth with zero stutters even while loading the page. My device hasn’t felt this smooth in a while, I’m very pleased so far.
You don't have to be so verbose, "Safari is snappier!" is sufficient, as per tradition. ;)
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
LoveToMacRumors Avatar
33 months ago
no thanks, staying on ios15
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jz0309 Avatar
33 months ago
If it weren’t for security fixes I wouldn’t update, there are no (new) features of interest for me. YMMV
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
coffeemilktea Avatar
33 months ago
I was updating purely for new emojis, but the increased security is a nice touch too. :p
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
midkay Avatar
33 months ago
Got to say, just updated my iPhone 15 Pro Max and web pages seem to be loading faster & scrolling is insanely smooth with zero stutters even while loading the page. My device hasn’t felt this smooth in a while, I’m very pleased so far.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
antiprotest Avatar
33 months ago

Got to say, just updated my iPhone 15 Pro Max and web pages seem to be loading faster & scrolling is insanely smooth with zero stutters even while loading the page. My device hasn’t felt this smooth in a while, I’m very pleased so far.
It's just because the update made you restart the phone.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)