What Are Rapid Security Response Updates?

Hello Apple Community!

I've seen a lot of people asking recently what are Rapid Security Response updates, what are they doing in the background, should I upgrade, etc. I thought this would be a perfect time to create my first User Tip explaining:

1. What are Rapid Security Response updates?
2. What is it doing in the background?
3. How do I get Rapid Security Response updates?
4. Why you should upgrade as soon as possible (from someone in the cybersecurity field)
5. Helpful Links

What are Rapid Security Response Updates

Rapid Security Response updates are a relatively new feature of the Apple ecosystem. It allows for Apple to push important security updates to your Apple devices without needing to do a full upgrade of the operating system.

If you updated your iPhone, iPad, or Mac last week because of the recent Rapid Security Response, you could've noticed how fast it updated as opposed to a typical update. Rapid Security Response updates should all be very quick meaning you can get right back to doing what you were doing!

The benefit of this is Apple can push important security fixes to your Apple devices quicker and you can update quickly.

What is it doing in the background?

It is doing nothing in the background! Think of it as a really fast and easy way for Apple to fix vulnerabilities on your Apple devices! You could also just think of it as a really fast iOS, iPadOS, or macOS update.

How do I get Rapid Security Response updates?

Firstly, if you don't turn this setting on, you will receive it within the next update. For example, on iPhone the current version is iOS 16.5.1. When iOS 16.6, or if iOS 16.5.2, roles around, the security fixes will be automatically applied. However, in the next section we'll talk about why not to do this. I highly recommend turning Rapid Security Response updates on and updating when they role around.

iOS and iPadOS:

1. Open Settings
2. Tap General
3. Tap Software Update
4. Tap Automatic Updates
5. Toggle on Security Responses & System Files

macOS:

1. Open Settings
2. Click General
3. Click the i icon, to the right of Automatic Updates
4. Toggle on Install Security Responses and system files

Why you should upgrade as soon as possible (from someone in the cybersecurity field)

These updates are to address critical vulnerabilities within the Apple ecosystem. They are also very quick to install meaning it will require little to no downtime.

The Rapid Security Response update for iOS and iPadOS 16.5.1 was to address a vulnerability in Safari - "Processing web content may lead to arbitrary code execution. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited."

I know that might sound like a lot for someone who doesn't see this stuff day in and day out. If you are curious, you can read about arbitrary code execution here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arbitrary_code_execution. Long story short, it allows an attacker, or hacker, to run commands on your devices. It's commonly used to establish persistence (so they can log back into your device at any time) and to exfiltrate data (take data from your device and save it to theirs). It can be used for a lot more, but we'll keep it at that for now.

I know I said above, "if you don't turn this setting on, you will receive it within the next update," however, you never know when that next update is coming. It could be tomorrow, next week, or next month. From the short description of arbitrary code execution above, do you really want to leave that on your device?

Keeping your Apple devices always up to date and installing Rapid Security Response updates is the best way to keep your Apple devices and the data stored on those devices safe and secure from attackers.

Helpful Links

1. Apple's Documentation - About Rapid Security Responses for iOS, iPadOS, and macOS - Apple Support
2. Apple's list of security releases - Apple security releases - Apple Support
   1. You will be able to find all Rapid Security Response updates here. Each item in the list also has a hyperlink to another page. On that page you can learn more about the specific security release in depth.

From Apple security releases - Apple Support

You'll notice a link for the most recent Rapid Security Response for iOS 16.5.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1 - About the security content of Rapid Security Responses for iOS 16.5.1 and iPadOS 16.5.1 - Apple Support.

That's what the description of the security fix includes. From this, you'll see there was an issue with Safari (WebKit) and also the impact of the vulnerability.

I hope this is used and you all find it beneficial! I also hope you all turn on Rapid Security Response and keep your Apple devices always up to date!