Security researchers have uncovered a serious hardware vulnerability in several older Apple devices.
The flaw, named usbliter8, resides in the SecureROM—the unchangeable boot code embedded in the processor.
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The exploit targets chips including A12, A13, S4, and S5.
Affected models include iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, iPhone 11 series, iPhone SE (2nd gen), iPad Air (3rd gen), iPad mini (5th gen), iPad (8th and 9th gen), Apple Watch Series 4, Series 5, and the first Apple Watch SE.
Also impacted are the 2nd-gen Apple TV 4K and Studio Display.
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Paradigm Shift, the security firm that discovered the vulnerability, published a detailed report and a working proof-of-concept.
They coordinated with Apple before going public.
Because the flaw is in hardware-level code, Apple cannot patch it via a software update. The Secure Enclave remains unaffected, so passcodes and encryption keys are still protected.
Exploiting the vulnerability requires technical expertise and physical access to the device.
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Older A11 devices like iPhone 8 and iPhone X are not vulnerable. Newer A14 chips and beyond appear safe from this specific attack.
What Users Should Do
For most users who use strong passcodes and keep their devices secure, the real-world risk is low.
However, if you rely on an affected device for sensitive work, upgrading to a newer model is recommended.
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The jailbreak community may take interest in this exploit. Apple is expected to focus on strengthening future chips against similar vulnerabilities.
