New Exploit Bypasses Apple's Boot Defenses, Affects Millions of iPhones

**Usbliter8** is a hardware-level, unpatchable SecureROM/bootchain vulnerability affecting Apple devices with A12 and A13 Bionic chips; a public proof-of-concept exploit was released that enables bypassing Secure Boot over USB DFU to run unsigned code and potentially deploy persistent spyware, though exploitation requires physical USB access and there is no confirmed in-the-wild activity. Apple cannot patch the silicon-level flaw, has hardened higher boot layers and recommends upgrading to A14+ devices, maintaining physical security, and using Lockdown Mode for high-risk users.