Security News

Apple has released iOS 7.0.3 with fixes for previously identified passcode lock flaws, which allows a person with physical access to a device the ability to make calls to any number or access the Contacts pane. iOS 7.0.3 resolves three security flaws altogether, and is available as an over-the-air update for iPhone 4 or later, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Additionally, iOS 7.0.3 supports iCloud Keychain, which also appears in OS X Mavericks, and can be used to sync logins, passwords, and credit card numbers between devices. As a result of iCloud Keychain being added, the update improves password security with the addition of a password generator, so Safari can suggest “unique, hard-to-guess passwords for your online accounts.”

This update contains improvements and bug fixes, including:

• Adds iCloud Keychain to keep track of your account names, passwords, and credit card numbers across all your approved devices
• Adds Password Generator so Safari can suggest unique, hard-to-guess passwords for your online accounts
• Updates lock screen to delay display of “slide to unlock” when Touch ID is in use
• Adds back the ability to search the web and Wikipedia from Spotlight search
• Fixes an issue where iMessage failed to send for some users
• Fixes a bug that could prevent iMessage from activating
• Improves system stability when using iWork apps
• Fixes an accelerometer calibration issue
• Addresses an issue that could cause Siri and VoiceOver to use a lower quality voice
• Fixes a bug that could allow someone to bypass the Lock screen passcode
• Enhances the Reduce Motion setting to minimize both motion and animation
• Fixes an issue that could cause VoiceOver input to be too sensitive
• Updates the Bold Text setting to also change dial pad text
• Fixes an issue that could cause supervised devices to become un-supervised when updating software

The following passcode lock flaws (and an iPhone issue) were resolved in this update:

• CVE-2013-5144 : A person with physical access to the device may be able to make calls to any number. A NULL dereference existed in the lock screen which would cause it to restart if the emergency call button was tapped while a notification was being swiped and while the camera pane was partly visible. While the lock screen was restarting, the call dialer could not get the lock screen state and assumed the device was unlocked, and so allowed non-emergency numbers to be dialed. This issue was addressed by avoiding the NULL dereference.
• CVE-2013-5162 : The time delay for incorrect passcode attempts may be bypassed. When returning to the passcode lock from the Phone app, the passcode entry view is sometimes visible when it should not be, and so may be accessed even if the iPhone has been disabled due to many incorrect passcode attempts. This issue was addressed by updating the visibility of the passcode entry view on state changes.
• CVE-2013-5164 : A person with physical access to the device may be able to call arbitrary contacts. Race conditions existed in the Phone app at the lock screen. Under various circumstances, the Phone app may allow access to the Contacts pane. This issue was addressed by preventing this display of the Contacts pane while the phone is locked.

Apple iOS users can download and install the iOS 7.0.3 software update through iTunes or through your device Settings (select General > Software Update).