Apple releases iOS 15.8.5 & iPadOS 15.8.5 as security updates for older devices such as the 2015 iPhone 6s



On September 15, 2025, when Apple released major software updates including

iOS 26 , it also released iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS 15.8.5 as security updates for the iPad Air 2 released in 2014, the iPhone 6s series and iPad mini 4 released in 2015, the iPhone 7 series and first-generation iPhone SE released in 2016, and the seventh-generation iPod touch released in 2019.

About the security content of iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS 15.8.5 - Apple Support
https://support.apple.com/en-us/125142



On September 15, 2025, Apple released iOS 15.8.5 and iPadOS 15.8.5 as security updates for the iPhone 6s series, iPhone 7 series, first-generation iPhone SE, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 4, and seventh-generation iPod touch.

This security update fixes a vulnerability ( CVE-2025-43300 ) that could lead to memory corruption when processing malicious image files. According to Apple, this issue could have been exploited in highly sophisticated attacks targeting specific individuals.



In addition, Apple dropped support for the first-generation iPhone SE, iPhone 6s series, iPhone 7 series, and seventh-generation iPod touch in

iOS 16 , released in September 2022. Therefore, the latest version of iOS supported by these iPhones and iPod touches is iOS 15.



Similarly, Apple dropped support for the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 in

iPadOS 16 , released in September 2022. Therefore, the latest version of iPadOS supported by the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 4 is iPadOS 15 .



Because Apple released a security update for an older device that is no longer supported for an OS released three years ago, some people on the social message board Hacker News praised the long support period for Apple products, saying, 'There are a lot of negative opinions about Apple's UI , but Apple's attitude of supporting older smartphones is commendable.'

Some have also pointed out that this vulnerability, in conjunction with a WhatsApp vulnerability ( CVE-2025-55177 ), could be used to launch spyware attacks directly targeting WhatsApp users.

In fact, CVE-2025-55177 was fixed in a security update released by WhatsApp in August 2025. WhatsApp reported that 'CVE-2025-55177, coupled with an OS-level vulnerability in Apple platforms (CVE-2025-43300), is believed to have been exploited in sophisticated attacks targeting specific users.'

WhatsApp Security Advisories
https://www.whatsapp.com/security/advisories/2025/



Related Posts:

in Mobile,   Software,   Security, Posted by logu_ii