Apple has issued a warning to iPhone users to ensure their devices are updated following a security breach that could allow cybercriminals to bypass passcodes and extract data from locked devices, according to Tech Radar.
On Monday, the tech company released a new patch for iOS and iPadOS to address a recently discovered vulnerability that could disable USB Restricted Mode on locked devices.
“Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals,” the company stated.
This vulnerability could enable hackers or law enforcement to gain full access to affected devices. Apple has released iOS 18.3.1 and iPadOS 18.3.1 to fix the issue, identified as CVE-2025-24200.
The update is available for iPhone XS and later models, iPad Pro 13-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation and later), iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation and later), iPad Air (3rd generation and later), iPad (7th generation and later), and iPad mini (5th generation and later).
New updates have also been issued for Macs, Apple Watches, and Vision Pros, although no security alerts have been raised for these devices.
USB Restricted Mode was reportedly developed in response to “GrayKey,” a hacking tool used by law enforcement to access data on mobile devices. Apple has consistently resisted government requests for device access, emphasizing user privacy. This stance has drawn criticism from law enforcement, particularly in cases involving suspected criminals and terrorists.
Apple’s latest AI feature, Apple Intelligence, has also sparked privacy concerns. The tool allows the technology to access and analyze data from apps, including sensitive banking, financial, and location information, raising alarms among experts about potential overreach into private data.
