Lawsuit Filed After Apple's A12 and A13 Chips Hit With New Unpatchable Exploit - MacRumors
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Lawsuit Filed After Apple's A12 and A13 Chips Hit With New Unpatchable Exploit

Last month, cybersecurity research firm Paradigm Shift published details about a boot ROM vulnerability affecting Apple's A12 and A13 chips, but it has since removed the blog post after being sued by digital forensics firm Magnet Forensics.

iPhone 11 Pro Feature Green
In a complaint filed in Georgia federal court this month, Magnet Forensics alleged that the security vulnerability revealed by Paradigm Shift was substantially the same as the one its former employee Mario Del Gaudio worked on before joining Paradigm Shift. Accordingly, Magnet Forensics alleged that Del Gaudio exposed its trade secrets.

Apple's A12 and A13 chips power the iPhone XS and iPhone 11 series, along with select other devices. A boot ROM vulnerability cannot be patched with an iOS update, as it involves code permanently embedded in the chip's read-only memory.

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Top Rated Comments

EugW Avatar
10 hours ago at 08:17 am

The iPhone 11 came out in what, 2019? That's 7 years ago. Who cares?
As of mid 2026, it is estimated that about 1/5 to 1/4 of all iPhones in active use are actually iPhone 11 series and earlier.
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PBG4 Dude Avatar
10 hours ago at 08:30 am
iPhone 11 is getting iOS 27. Apple wouldn’t upgrade the 11 if no one was using it.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
10 hours ago at 08:00 am
What a colossal waste of time for everyone.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
allpar Avatar
10 hours ago at 08:17 am

The iPhone 11 came out in what, 2019? That's 7 years ago. Who cares?
Since we're using one, I guess we do. I just moved on from my XR.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
danpass Avatar
10 hours ago at 08:39 am
well, well ....

"Why Companies Keep Flaws Secret
Forensic firms like Magnet Forensics operate under a strict commercial zero-day model. They intentionally do not disclose vulnerabilities to vendors like Apple for two reasons: [1 ('https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-07-17/iphone-hacking-firm-sues-ex-worker-over-alleged-theft-of-secrets')]

* Product Utility: Their entire business model relies on selling hardware boxes (like GrayKey) to law enforcement and intelligence agencies to extract evidence from locked iPhones. If they disclose a vulnerability to Apple, Apple may find architectural or software mitigation techniques that render the forensic tools obsolete. [1 ('https://www.mayhemcode.com/2026/06/usbliter8-iphone-exploit-what-it-is-and.html')]
* Competitive Edge: Keeping unpatchable SecureROM capabilities secret ensures that rival forensics firms cannot copy the technique and implement it into competing law enforcement tools. [1 ('https://financialpost.com/cybersecurity/iphone-hacking-firm-sues-worker-theft-secrets'), 2 ('https://discuss.privacyguides.net/t/magnet-forensics-sues-former-contractor-for-leaking-iphone-exploit/39224')]"
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dr McKay Avatar
8 hours ago at 10:06 am

That actually surprises me. Maybe I live in a priviledged part of the world (Canada), but I don't think I see any iPhones that old anymore.

I just think it is a sad world when people feel entitled wnough to actually complain over an issue, that was not an issue when the device was launched over 6 years ago. And if yuo are still using an iPhone 11, perhaps it's time to upgrade...
Your circles you interact with are almost certainly privileged in that regard. My work regularly has me interact with the more deprived parts of the community and I regularly see phones that old in use. Meanwhile my friends and colleagues are mostly the kind to upgrade every 1-2 years.

iPhone 11 series is still currently supported by Apple and will be getting iOS 27.

I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt and chalk up your attitude to a lack of life experience, but I strongly suggest you expand your horizons if you are at this level of disbelief that your privileged slice of life represents everyone’s lived experience.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)