Urgent warning issued to to all 1,800,000,000
iPhone users are being advised to disable AirPlay to protect their devices from serious security threats. Cybersecurity firm Oligo Security discovered 23 vulnerabilities in Apple’s AirPlay system, collectively called “AirBorne.” These flaws can be exploited by hackers to remotely access devices, spread malware, or steal data — all without any action from the user. Seventeen of the flaws can lead to zero-click attacks, where malicious software spreads through shared networks like public Wi-Fi. Even though Apple has issued patches via updates like iOS 18.4 and macOS Sequoia 15.4, millions of third-party devices that support AirPlay, such as smart speakers and CarPlay systems, remain unpatched and at risk.
To stay protected, experts recommend turning off AirPlay receivers when not in use and limiting access to “Current User” only. Users should also install reliable security software and keep their devices updated to reduce exposure to these threats. Given that AirPlay is active in the background on over 2.3 billion devices, the potential for widespread attacks is significant. These vulnerabilities behave like network worms, able to spread across multiple devices on the same network, and could take years to fully patch due to the variety of affected devices.