iPhone and iPad Users in India at High Risk: Government Issues Urgent Security Warning

CERT-In warns Indian iPhone and iPad users about critical iOS and iPadOS vulnerabilities. Learn which devices are affected and what steps to take now to secure your data.

As Apple’s footprint expands across India, the responsibility of staying digitally secure has never been more critical for its users. In a recent high-severity security alert, the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has warned Apple device users about multiple vulnerabilities affecting iPhones and iPads.

 What’s the Alert About?

CERT-In has flagged several critical vulnerabilities in Apple’s iOS and iPadOS software that could allow cyber attackers to:

• Access confidential personal and financial data
• Bypass device security protocols
• Execute unauthorised commands
• Crash or completely disable the device

The flaws have been classified as high-risk, and some are already being exploited in real-world cyberattacks.

 Which Devices Are Affected?

The vulnerabilities impact a wide range of Apple devices running outdated software versions. Affected models include:

• iPhones running iOS versions prior to 18.3
• iPads on iPadOS versions earlier than 17.7.3 or 18.3, depending on the model

Specific models include:

• iPhone XS and newer
• iPad Pro (2nd generation and later)
• iPad (6th generation and above)
• iPad Air (3rd generation onwards)
• iPad mini (5th generation upwards)

 The Core Issue: Darwin Notification System Vulnerability

One of the most concerning flaws lies within the Darwin notification system, a core element of Apple’s messaging infrastructure. According to CERT-In, this flaw enables apps—even without special permissions—to send critical system-level notifications. If exploited, this could:

• Crash the device
• Make it unresponsive
• Require manual intervention to restore functionality

 What Should You Do?

To protect your device and data, follow these urgent steps:

 Update your device immediately: Install the latest version of iOS or iPadOS from Settings > General > Software Update.
 Avoid third-party or unverified apps: Stick to trusted apps from the official App Store.
 Monitor device performance: Stay alert for slowdowns, crashes, or unexpected pop-ups—these could indicate malicious activity.

Stay Safe in a Growing Digital Landscape

As Apple continues to grow its user base in India, users must take an active role in securing their digital environment. With cyber threats evolving faster than ever, keeping your software up to date and practicing safe usage habits is your first line of defense.