Apple Fixes iPhone Zero-Day Bug Used in Paragon Spyware Attacks
Apple has addressed a serious iPhone zero-day vulnerability exploited by Paragon spyware to target European journalists. The flaw, which went undisclosed for months, has now been patched in the iOS 18.3.1 update, marking a critical step in protecting iPhone users from mercenary spyware threats.
This blog post explains how the exploit worked, who was targeted, and what Apple users should do next. If you're worried about spyware, privacy, or Apple’s patching transparency, this guide breaks it all down.
iPhone Zero-Day Bug Exploited by Paragon Spyware
The iPhone zero-day bug was initially hidden from Apple’s official February security advisory, despite being quietly patched in iOS 18.3.1 on February 10. At the time, Apple only acknowledged a separate, unrelated vulnerability. It wasn’t until June 12 that the company publicly updated its advisory, revealing a logic flaw in how iPhones processed photo and video files sent via iCloud Links.
This flaw was no minor oversight—it enabled a highly sophisticated exploit campaign. According to Citizen Lab, the exploit was used to target two journalists in Europe, including Italian reporter Ciro Pellegrino. The spyware, dubbed Graphite, is developed by Paragon, an Israeli firm with ties to defense contracts and offensive cyber tools.
Graphite was previously identified in a January campaign, where WhatsApp notified nearly 90 users—many of them journalists and activists—that they were likely targeted by the spyware. Despite the initial wave of alerts, the broader extent of the attacks remained unclear until Citizen Lab’s recent publication.
How Apple Quietly Patched the iOS Spyware Exploit
Citizen Lab’s new report, published in collaboration with TechCrunch, confirmed that the iPhone zero-day bug had been exploited and that Apple was aware of the attacks at the time of the fix. Yet, for reasons Apple has not explained, the company withheld public disclosure for nearly four months. Only on June 12 did Apple update the original security documentation to include details of the logic flaw exploited in the spyware campaign.
The flaw was described as:
“A logic issue existed when processing a maliciously crafted photo or video shared via an iCloud Link… Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been exploited in an extremely sophisticated attack against specific targeted individuals.”
This disclosure raises questions about Apple’s transparency regarding zero-day vulnerabilities. Unlike previous Pegasus-related alerts that often came with press briefings or detailed CVEs, this fix was silently applied and left undocumented until Citizen Lab brought it to light.
Paragon Spyware Campaign: Who Was Targeted?
The latest revelations tie back to a broader spyware campaign uncovered earlier this year. In January, WhatsApp issued alerts to dozens of users believed to have been targeted by Paragon’s Graphite spyware. Later, Apple sent its own notifications to iPhone users in more than 100 countries, warning them of "mercenary spyware" attempts—but without naming the source.
Citizen Lab has now confirmed that at least two recipients of Apple’s alert were indeed victims of Graphite. These types of campaigns usually involve government clients or third parties using spyware to monitor civil society, especially journalists and human rights defenders.
What remains unclear is whether the other Apple alert recipients were also targeted by Graphite or a separate spyware tool. The lack of full attribution in Apple's alerts has frustrated privacy advocates and watchdog groups, who argue that transparency is critical to public understanding and response.
What Apple Users Should Do After This Zero-Day Patch
If you haven’t updated your iPhone to iOS 18.3.1, now is the time. This version includes a silent but critical fix for the iPhone zero-day bug exploited by Paragon spyware. While Apple’s decision not to disclose the flaw immediately is concerning, the patch itself appears effective in mitigating the attack vector.
Security experts also advise users—especially journalists, activists, and high-risk individuals—to:
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Regularly check for iOS updates and apply them promptly.
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Avoid opening suspicious links, even from familiar contacts.
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Use Apple’s Lockdown Mode if you believe you may be a target.
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Enable two-factor authentication on Apple ID and other key accounts.
For those who received spyware threat notifications from Apple or WhatsApp earlier this year, reaching out to digital rights organizations like Citizen Lab or Access Now may help assess your device for compromise.
Apple’s handling of the iPhone zero-day bug highlights an ongoing tension between user safety and public disclosure. While the company acted to fix the vulnerability, the lack of immediate transparency around the patch—and its potential link to high-profile spyware campaigns—has led to further scrutiny.
If you value your digital privacy, staying informed and updated is no longer optional. Keep your device updated, use Apple’s built-in security tools, and watch for future disclosures—because the spyware arms race is far from over.
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