Apple iOS 13.5.1 Review: Update Fixes A Security Vulnerability

By Amit Chowdhry ● Jun 1, 2020

Apple iOS 13.5.1

  • Apple released iOS 13.5.1, which is a minor point software update with a security patch instead of the addition of any new features.

Today Apple released iOS 13.5.1, which is a minor point software update with a security patch instead of the addition of any new features. This update essentially added a patch to iOS 13.5.

Specifically, Apple said that the update patches a vulnerability used by the Unc0ver jailbreak. Here is what the release notes say:

Kernel

Available for: iPhone 6s and later, iPad Air 2 and later, iPad mini 4 and later, and iPod touch 7th generation

Impact: An application may be able to execute arbitrary code with kernel privileges

Description: A memory consumption issue was addressed with improved memory handling.

CVE-2020-9859: unc0ver

Along with iOS 13.5.1, Apple also rolled out watchOS 6.2.6 and iPadOS 13.5.1. Plus updates were also shipped for HomePod and Apple TV. 

When a jailbreak was released for iOS 13.5 last month, it allowed devices like the iPhone 11, iPhone SE, and the 2020 iPad Pro to be jailbroken even while they were running iOS 13.5. And it is believed that iOS 13.5.1 blocks the 0day kernel vulnerability being used by the Unc0ver jailbreak tool.

The iOS 13.5 update had more features added to iOS devices such as enhanced Face ID authentication that accounted for people wearing a mask due to social distancing guidelines.

To update to iOS 13.5.1, go to the Settings app > General > Software Update.

Should You Update?

While this update sounds like it could be essential, it does not directly impact the majority of iOS users. iOS 13.5 was a much more important update for those of you who are wearing a mask and use Face ID regularly.