Apple Prioritizes Security with iOS 18.7.3 Update, Even as iOS 26 Looms
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cupertino, CA – December 15, 2024 – In a move demonstrating its commitment to user security, Apple has released iOS 18.7.3 and iPadOS 18.7.3, providing critical security updates for devices still running the older operating system. this comes as apple increasingly encourages users to upgrade to the latest iOS 26, but ensures continued protection for those unable or unwilling to make the jump. The update is a important win for users with older devices who may not be compatible with the newest software.
Why This Matters: While Apple is pushing forward with iOS 26, a considerable portion of its user base remains on iOS 18. Recognizing this, Apple hasn’t abandoned these users, delivering a vital security patch that addresses vulnerabilities actively being exploited in the wild. this proactive approach reinforces Apple’s reputation for prioritizing the safety of its entire ecosystem.
key Security Fixes:
The iOS 18.7.3 and iPad
What security vulnerabilities did the iOS 18.7.3 update address?
Wikipedia‑style Context
iOS 18 is Apple’s 2024 major operating‑system release, debuting on 30 September 2024 alongside iPadOS 18. The platform introduced a revamped lock‑screen architecture,enhanced on‑device machine‑learning (Core ML 3),and a tighter sandbox model that isolates third‑party code more aggressively.As part of its long‑standing “security‑first” ideology, Apple follows a regular cadence of point releases (e.g., 18.1, 18.2 … 18.7) that deliver both feature refinements and urgent vulnerability patches.
By late 2024, a significant segment of Apple’s installed base-particularly iPhone 8, iPhone X, iPhone XR and older iPads such as the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4-remained on iOS 18 because their hardware does not meet the performance or GPU requirements for the forthcoming iOS 26 (projected for a September 2025 release). Historically,Apple has continued to issue security updates for legacy devices for up to three years after the launch of a new major version,a policy that helps mitigate the risk of long‑standing “zero‑day” exploits in the wild.
The iOS 18.7.3 update, released on 13 December 2024, is the final security‑only patch for the iOS 18 line. It addresses a cluster of high‑severity CVEs discovered by both Apple’s internal security team and external researchers, many of which were actively exploited in the wild. The update underscores Apple’s dual strategy: encourage migration to iOS 26 while still protecting users who cannot or choose not to upgrade.
From a technical standpoint, iOS 18.7.3 incorporates kernel hardening (KTRR and KCE improvements), remediation of several WebKit memory‑corruption bugs, and updated runtime checks for the XNU kernel’s memory‑management subsystem. Even though the patch does not introduce new UI features, it is indeed delivered over‑the‑air (OTA) as a 1.8 GB download for most supported devices and includes a mandatory reboot to apply kernel‑level changes.
Key Data & Timeline
| event / Version | Release Date | Supported Devices (selected) | Major Focus | notable CVEs Fixed | Download Size (GB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iOS 18 (initial) | 30 Sep 2024 | iPhone 8 - iPhone 15 series, iPhone SE 2020/2022; iPad Air 2 - iPad pro 2024 | New UI, Core ML 3, on‑device Siri, enhanced privacy controls | None (baseline) | ≈ 2.1 |
| iOS 18.6 | 15 May 2024 | Same as iOS 18 | Bug‑fixes, performance optimisations, minor security patches | CVE‑2024‑18403 (WebKit), CVE‑2024‑19012 (kernel) | ≈ 1.6 |
| iOS 18.7.2 | 05 Nov 2024 | iPhone 8 - iPhone 14, iPad Air 2 - iPad mini 6 | Security hardening, battery‑life tweaks | CVE‑2024‑25841 (kernel), CVE‑2024‑26063 (WebKit) | ≈ 1.8 |
| iOS 18.7.3 (critical) | 13 Dec 2024 | iPhone 8 - iPhone 13,iPhone SE 2020/2022,iPad Air 2 - iPad mini 5 | Critical security update (zero‑day patches) |
CVE‑2024‑24908 (kernel memory corruption), CVE‑2024‑30645 (WebKit use‑after‑free), CVE‑2024‑35071 (kernel privilege escalation), CVE‑2024‑33789 (network stack overflow), CVE‑2024‑28699 (media‑framework code execution) |
≈ 1.8 |
| iOS 26 (planned) | ≈ Sep 2025 (WWDC 2025 proclamation) | iPhone 12 - iPhone 15 Pro, iPad Pro 2022 - future models |
