Update July 12, 2023: Apple released iOS 16.5.1(c), iPadOS 16.5.1(c), and macOS 13.4.1(c) to fix this critical WebKit vulnerability without breaking several popular apps.
Earlier this week, Apple released “(a)” updates for iOS 16.5.1, iPadOS 16.5.1 and macOS 13.4.1, using the Rapid Security Response system launched in early May. These emergency updates appear to have been intended to fix a single WebKit flaw that was allegedly being actively exploited.
The odd thing, however, was that Apple then pulled the update just hours after it appeared. And now we have a clearer idea of why.
In a new support document, the company speaks to users who have applied the updates, acknowledging that it is “aware” of an issue that “may prevent certain websites from displaying correctly.” It could be argued that this understates the severity of the bug, which according to forum user reports “broke some apps such as Facebook, Instagram, Zoom to name a few.”
In terms of solutions, Apple offers the simple remedy of removing updates and provides easy instructions in the support document. On iPhone or iPad, you need to open the Settings app and then go to In regards to
Users may feel ambivalent about removing a patch deemed urgent enough to merit a quick security response, but Apple promises that (b) versions of all three updates “will be available soon to address this issue.”
