Apple has released a new software update for its iPhone and iPad devices that fixes a bug related to the Flipper Zero device, a popular hacking tool that can interact with various wireless protocols and devices.
Flipper Zero is a small, portable device that can emulate various wireless signals and devices, such as RFID cards, garage door openers, car keys, and more. It can also scan for nearby Bluetooth and Wi-Fi networks, and perform various hacking tasks, such as brute-forcing PIN codes, sniffing traffic, and injecting payloads.
The device was launched on Kickstarter in August 2021, and raised over $4.8 million from more than 37,000 backers. It was shipped to the backers in November 2021, and received positive reviews from the hacking community.
What was the bug?
However, some users reported that their Flipper Zero devices were causing their iPhones and iPads to crash or reboot when they tried to connect them via Bluetooth. The bug was apparently triggered by a malformed Bluetooth packet that the Flipper Zero device was sending to the iOS devices, causing a memory corruption error in the Bluetooth stack.
The bug was reported to Apple by the Flipper Zero team, who also released a firmware update for their device that mitigated the issue. However, the bug was still present in the iOS devices, and could potentially be exploited by other malicious Bluetooth devices.
How did Apple fix it?
Apple acknowledged the bug and released a software update, iOS 17.2, that fixes the issue. According to the release notes, iOS 17.2 includes unspecified bug fixes and security improvements. No new features were added in the update, which is available for all devices that support iOS 17.
Users who have a Flipper Zero device, or who are concerned about Bluetooth security, are advised to update their iOS devices to the latest version as soon as possible. To update, users can go to Settings > General > Software Update and follow the instructions.
What else is new in iOS 17.2?
Besides the Flipper Zero bug fix, iOS 17.2 also includes some other improvements and changes, such as:
- A new Journal app that allows users to record their daily activities and thoughts, with optional prompts and multimedia attachments.
- A new sticker reaction feature in the Messages app, that lets users add stickers or emojis to any chat bubble, as an alternative to tapback reactions.
- A new spatial video recording feature for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, that enables users to record 3D videos that can be viewed on the upcoming Vision Pro headset.
- An improved telephoto focusing speed for the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, that makes it easier to capture small, faraway objects.
- A new Favorites playlist in Apple Music, that automatically collects the songs that users have favorited in the app.
iOS 17.2 is the second major update to iOS 17, which was released in September 2021. iOS 17 introduced several new features, such as FaceTime SharePlay, Live Text, Focus mode, Safari redesign, and more.