Apple expands iOS 18 updates to more iPhones to block DarkSword attacks

Apple released iOS 18.7.7 to extend protections against the actively exploited DarkSword exploit kit, which uses six tracked CVEs and has been used broadly since 2025 to deploy information-stealing and backdoor malware (GhostBlade, GhostKnife, GhostSaber). Researchers and vendors observed use by commercial surveillance vendor PARS Defense and threat actors tracked as UNC6748 and UNC6353; the exploit kit was publicly released on GitHub, increasing exposure for unpatched older iPhones and prompting Apple to expand update availability for eligible devices.