Apple hasn't left Monterey, Big Sur, iPadOS 15, iOS 15 behind yet

Apple has released system updates on Tuesday for older systems that include iOS 15.7.2, iPadOS 15.7.2, macOS Monterey 12.6.2, and macOS Big Sur 11.7.2.

The updates for newer versions, such as iOS 16 and macOS Ventura 13.1, include a collaborative Freeform drawing app, advanced encryption for iCloud, and new system architecture for HomeKit.

Apple users on older operating systems will see updates for iOS 15.7.2, iPadOS 15.7.2, macOS Monterey 12.6.2, and macOS Big Sur 11.7.2.

People can find the update on iPad and iPhones by going to Settings > General > Software Update. On macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur, updates are found in System Preferences > Software Update.

The company is well known for maintaining older operating systems for years, releasing updates with security improvements and bug fixes. Apple lists security updates for its software here.

For macOS Monterey and macOS Big Sur, the update on Tuesday is the first release for these operating systems since October 24. Apple released the last update to iOS and iPadOS 15 — 15.7.1 — on October 27, addressing similar bugs and offering security patches.

New Security Patches

Systems that Apple patched with the new updates include Bluetooth, DriverKit, File System, WebKit, Safari, Kernel, and plenty of others. Each update contains a lot of patches, but here are a few of them.

macOS Big Sur 11.7.2

• DriverKit
• Impact: macOS Big Sur
• Impact: An app may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges
• Description: The issue was addressed with improved memory handling.
• CVE-2022-32942: Linus Henze of Pinauten GmbH (pinauten.de)

macOS Monterey 12.6.2

• File System
• Available for: macOS Monterey
• Impact: An app may be able to break out of its sandbox
• Description: This issue was addressed with improved checks.
• CVE-2022-42861: pattern-f (@pattern_F_) of Ant Security Light-Year Lab

iOS 15.7.2 and iPadOS 15.7.2

• Safari
• Available for: iPhone 6s (all models), iPhone 7 (all models), iPhone SE (1st generation), iPad Pro (all models), iPad Air 2 and later, iPad 5th generation and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch (7th generation)
• Impact: Visiting a website that frames malicious content may lead to UI spoofing
• Description: A spoofing issue existed in the handling of URLs. This issue was addressed with improved input validation.
• CVE-2022-46695: KirtiKumar Anandrao Ramchandani