The Indian government has issued a high-risk alert for iPhone and iPad users due to critical security flaws in iOS and iPadOS. CERT-In urges immediate software updates to prevent data theft and device crashes.
The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) has issued a high-severity warning for iPhone and iPad users due to the discovery of critical security flaws in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS platforms. These vulnerabilities could be used to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt device functionality.
Devices at Risk
The advisory applies to iPhones running iOS versions earlier than 18.3 and iPads operating on iPadOS versions older than 17.7.3 or 18.3, depending on the model. Affected devices include iPhone XS and newer, as well as several iPad models such as:
- iPad Pro (2nd generation and later)
- iPad (6th generation and later)
- iPad Air (3rd generation and newer)
- iPad mini (5th generation and above)
Nature of the Threats
CERT-In reports that attackers could exploit these vulnerabilities to access personal or financial data, bypass system security, execute malicious code, or crash the devices completely. One major flaw lies within Apple’s Darwin notification system, which could allow applications to trigger sensitive system-level alerts without special permissions—potentially leading to system crashes.
Exploits Already in Use
The advisory also confirms that some of these flaws are being actively targeted by cybercriminals, increasing the urgency for users to take action.
What Users Should Do?
Apple has released patches to address these issues. Users are strongly advised to update their devices to the latest version of iOS or iPadOS as soon as possible. Additionally, it’s recommended to avoid downloading apps from untrusted sources and to monitor devices for unusual behavior, which could signal a security breach.
Market Context
This security development comes at a time when Apple’s growth in the Indian market continues to rise. Despite an overall 5.5% drop in smartphone shipments in Q1 2025—falling to 32 million units—Apple recorded a 23% year-on-year increase. The company shipped a record 3 million iPhones during the quarter, with the iPhone 16 contributing 4% to total shipments.
As Apple’s user base expands, especially in India, staying updated and cautious becomes even more important to guard against evolving cybersecurity threats.
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