14 DAY TRIAL // Apple released today the first minor point updates for its iOS 11.2 and tvOS 11.2 operating systems for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, as well as Apple TV devices addressing a security vulnerability.
Tagged as builds 15C153 for iOS 11.2.1 and 15K152 for tvOS 11.2.1, the new software updates have been released via OTA (Over-the-Air) update system for supported iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4th generation, and Apple TV 4K devices running the tvOS 11.2 or iOS 11.2 operating systems.
The updates patch a known remote sharing security vulnerability (CVE-2017-13903) affecting Apple's HomeKit framework for communicating with smart devices in your home. Disclosed last week, the vulnerability was quickly, yet temporarily patched by Apple by disabling remote access to shared users.
"A remote attacker may be able to unexpectedly alter application state," reads the security advisory published by Apple today for the iOS 11.2.1 software update. "A message handling issue was addressed with improved input validation."
Apple promised a patch and it delivered
Apple promised last week that a software update would be available shortly to fix the major HomKit security issue discovered by Tian Zhang, and it looks like iOS 11.2.1 and tvOS 11.2.1 re-enables remote access for users, which means that the vulnerability is now patched and you can safely use your smart devices in your smart home again.
To update your devices running iOS 11.2 or tvOS 11.2 to the 11.2.1 release, open the Settings app, go to the General section, and access the Software Updates entry. There, you should see the iOS 11.2.1 or tvOS 11.2.1 software update, so click on the "Download and Install" button to download and install the new version.
While Apple continues to improve its iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13 High Sierra, tvOS 11.2, and watchOS 4.2 operating system, it would appear that more and more security vulnerabilities are discovered each week, and it's terrible for the company that produces some of the most powerful, well-designed, and secure devices in the world.