The first iPhone Rapid Security Response update released by Apple fails to install

Apple has released its first Rapid Security Response update, but many iPhone users reported problems during the installation of the iOS Security Response.

On June 2022, Apple announced that the Rapid Security Response feature would be available starting with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1 operating systems. 

Once a Rapid Security Response has been installed, a letter will appear after the software version (i.e. iOS 16.4.1 will become iOS 16.4.1 (a)). Apple pointed out that if users choose to turn off this feature or not to apply Rapid Security Responses when they’re available, their device will receive relevant fixes or mitigations when they’re included in a subsequent software update.

The feature was implemented by the IT giant to deliver important security patches to iPhones, iPads, and Macs, the company also added that the updates would be installed without requiring a reboot of the devices. The feature could be very useful to quickly address actively exploited vulnerabilities impacting the company’s products.

“They deliver important security improvements between software updates — for example, improvements to the Safari web browser, the WebKit framework stack, or other critical system libraries. They may also be used to mitigate some security issues more quickly, such as issues that might have been exploited or reported to exist “in the wild.”” reads the announcement published by Apple.

“New Rapid Security Responses are delivered only for the latest version of iOS, iPadOS and macOS — beginning with iOS 16.4.1, iPadOS 16.4.1, and macOS 13.3.1. By default, your device allows Rapid Security Responses to be applied automatically and, if necessary, will prompt you to restart your device.”

Multiple users have reported the failure in installing the Rapid Security Response updates delivered for iPhone today. Some devices display the following error message:

“Unable to Verify Security Response.”

“iOS Security Response 16.4.1 (a) failed verification because you are no longer connected to the Internet,”

Please vote for Security Affairs (https://securityaffairs.com/) as the best European Cybersecurity Blogger Awards 2022 – VOTE FOR YOUR WINNERS
Vote for me in the sections:

• The Teacher – Most Educational Blog
• The Entertainer – Most Entertaining Blog
• The Tech Whizz – Best Technical Blog
• Best Social Media Account to Follow (@securityaffairs)

Please nominate Security Affairs as your favorite blog.

Nominate here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfaFMkrMlrLhOBsRPKdv56Y4HgC88Bcji4V7OCxCm_OmyPoLw/viewform

Follow me on Twitter: @securityaffairs and Facebook and Mastodon

Pierluigi Paganini

(SecurityAffairs – hacking, iPhone)