That is correct.
There is no Apple security update, currently, for its older, aging iOS 12 devices, for the current iMessage, zero click, security vulnerability.
This is entirely up to Apple to decide to implement a security update patch for their older devices, or not.
As just Apple product users here, we have NO insights to what Apple does or doesn’t do.
Sorry.
Yes, your almost 9-year old Pad Air1st gen is vulnerable, but may not be at any immediate risk from any hacks, security threats or any other similar security vulnerabilities that would affect your device and its data.
This security vulnerability would need to, directly, target your individual device as a point of attack.
With such an old device and unless you know that you and your device could be, possibly and directly, targeted, a device security attack will be highly unlikely, but there will always be some, unknown, future security risks/vulnerabilities to older, aging Apple devices no longer supported by Apple.
Your nearly 9-year old device has more pressing and immediate issues.
Basically, the 2013 iPad Air 1 ( “A” model number A1474/1475/1476 ), iPad Mini 2 ( “ A” model number A1489/1490/1491 ) and the 2014 iPad Mini 3 ( “A” model number A1599/1600/1601 ) are just too old, now.
Sorry.
Third party app support, typically, continues for 2-3 years AFTER Apple ends full support of a subset of their devices.
The last major update to iOS 12 was in 2019, with iOS 12.3.
Apple has stopped issuing any major iOS 12 updates for these very old iPad models and have been ONLY issuing security, “point” updates for the past few years.
So, it has been well over two years, already, and third party app support has been on a steady, downward trend for all iOS 12 supported devices.
Look for many more third party apps dropping support for all iOS 12 supported devices as the 2022 year progresses to its end.
The immediately above statement is what you really need to worry about.
One of the things to do to make your aging iPad a little more safe and secure from security vulnerabilities on the Internet.
I would stop using that nearly 3-year old Safari Web browser.
It is, more than likely, no longer safe nor secure enough to use on the Internet, any longer, as it has not received any more full iOS device updates in all this time.
The ONLY third party Web browser still being developed for older iOS devices is the Alook Web browser
https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alook-browser-8x-speed/id1261944766
ALook Web browser ( A fairly new Web browser primarily designed for old iOS device versions, but is still available to newer iOS/iPadOS devices, as well ) The ONLY “new-ish” Web browser left that I recommend for any old/er iPad models at this late timeframe!
In addition, the internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads are, also, running on borrowed time.
Not worth the costs to replace these old internal, rechargeable batteries in these old iPads, any longer, either.
Also, these very old iPad models have NO real trade-in nor any resale value, either.
Sorry.
It is almost the Fall season of 2022, now.
iOS/iPadOS 16 will be releasing soon, from Apple.
It maybe time to seriously consider a purchase of a new iPad model OR a much, MUCH “newer” and less expensive, refurbished or used iPad models, from better known, trusted sources, like other Apple product/device retailers/resellers, some locally or from online, on the Web/Internet, capable of running the latest iPadOS versions.
There are PLENTY of newer, older iPad models that can run the latest, current versions of iPadOS.
If you need OR ONLY able to purchase older, less expensive iPad models, look at older IPads from 2015 and later.
All of these older model iPads below CAN, currently, run the latest releases of iPadOS 15 and the up and coming iPadOS 16, releasing sometime in the Fall of 2022.
2015-2017, 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )
2017, 10.5 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 1st gen Pencil support )
2017, 9.7 inch screen iPad 5th gen models ( NO Pencil support )
2018, 9.7 inch screen iPad 6th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )
2019, 10.2 inch screen iPad 7th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )
2020, 10.2 inch screen iPad 8th gen models. ( 1st gen Pencil support )
2018, 11 inch or 12.9 inch screen iPad Pro models ( 2nd gen Pencil support )
2019, 10.5 inch screen iPad Air 3rd gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )
2019, 7.9 inch screen iPad Mini 5th gen models ( 1st gen Pencil support )
Get the largest internal data storage model you can afford as NO Apple iOS device has ANY expandable storage.
I am sorry that you had to learn all of this, but this does not change any of the facts regarding these older iOS devices.
Sorry & Best of Luck to You!
