Security News

Apple Issues Record-Breaking Security Update: Over 260 Flaws Fixed

The Register · 16 Sept 2026

Key Takeaway Australian businesses using Apple devices should apply the iOS 27 and macOS 27 updates as soon as possible, since attackers typically race to exploit newly disclosed flaws before they are patched.

Apple has released its largest security update in company history, fixing more than 260 vulnerabilities across its operating systems, browsers and other software. The update, delivered through the new iOS 27 and macOS 27 releases, addresses 122 flaws on iPhone and iPad and 204 on Mac computers.

Notably, some of these vulnerabilities were discovered with the help of AI tools, including Anthropic's Claude, working alongside human researchers. This reflects a broader trend of AI being used to find software flaws faster than ever before, even though AI is not yet being used to automatically write the fixes. Apple has confirmed that none of the vulnerabilities patched in this update are currently known to be actively exploited by attackers.

Among the more serious issues fixed is a privilege escalation flaw that could have allowed a malicious app to gain root access to a device, reported by independent security researchers. While no active exploitation has been reported yet, history shows that attackers often move quickly to target newly disclosed vulnerabilities once patch details become public.

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