Key Takeaways
- Apple has issued a critical security update, iOS 12.5.8, for the 2013 iPhone 5s.
- The patch fixes a WebKit vulnerability (CVE-2024-4577) that was being actively exploited.
- This extends the iPhone 5s’s security support to nearly 13 years since its launch.
In a notable move, Apple has rolled out a new software update for the iPhone 5s, a smartphone originally launched in 2013. The update, iOS 12.5.8, is a critical security patch addressing a vulnerability that was under active exploitation.
Details of the Security Update
The latest update specifically patches a WebKit flaw tracked as CVE-2024-4577. This bug allowed for arbitrary code execution and was reportedly being exploited “in the wild.” The same vulnerability was addressed for newer iPhone models with the iOS 17.5.1 update back in May.
Unprecedented Long-Term Support
The iPhone 5s, discontinued in 2016, received its last major OS update (iOS 12) in 2018. Despite its age, Apple has continued to provide occasional security patches for this 11-year-old device. Originally launching with iOS 7, the iPhone 5s enjoyed five years of major OS updates. With this latest patch, it has now received security support for nearly 13 years since its debut—a record that highlights Apple’s commitment to long-term device security .
How to Install the Update
iPhone 5s users can download and install the iOS 12.5.8 update by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update on their device.
